Lok Sabha Question No. 2491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: National Coastal Mission and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Robert Bruce C

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2491

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## National Coastal Mission and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project

## 2491.  SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the findings from coastal vulnerability assessments  indicating shoreline erosion and  habitat degradation  along parts of Tirunelveli  district,  as  identified  under  the  National  Coastal  Mission  and  Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP);
- (b) whether the Government has initiated any central-level review or monitoring framework similar to those undertaken for protected areas, to evaluate ecological health and climate resilience of coastal ecosystems in this region;
- (c) the details of the centrally commissioned studies, modelling exercises, or pilot projects approved by the Government to assess erosion intensity, biodiversity loss and adaptation requirements along the said coastal belt; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to sanction or expand centrally funded projects for shoreline stabilization, dune and mangrove regeneration or integrated coastal restoration in Tirunelveli district under the ICZMP or allied national missions?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a):    The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Ministry of Earth Sciences  (MoES)  has  carried  out  the  Coastal  vulnerability  assessment  using  the  Coastal Vulnerability  Index  (CVI)  maps  for  the  entire  coastline  of  India.  These  maps  have  been developed at a 1:100000 scale utilizing seven specific parameters. The coast of Tamil Nadu is experiencing 42.7 % erosion, 33.6 % is stable and 23.8 % is accreting, out of 991.47 km of the coastline.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has established the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission (TNSHORE) through G.O. Ms. No. 11, Environment, Climate Change & Forest Department (GoTN) dated 10.01.2024, to address the issues of threats to Tamil Nadu's coastline, from both natural and anthropogenic factors such as erosion, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change impacts. The mission covers all 14 coastal districts of the state, including Tirunelveli.

(b): Central Water Commission (CWC), under Ministry of Jal Shakti undertakes ecological monitoring through the Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC). All coastal States/UTs, including Tamil Nadu, have their representatives in this committee.

CPDAC  provides  a  platform  to  deliberate  on  coastal  erosion  issues  and  includes  a  SubCommittee  on  Performance  Evaluation  of  Coastal  Protection  Works,  which  conducts  field visits to assess the efficacy of coastal protection measures. The sub- committee has convened 8 meetings so far and Tamil Nadu has hosted the 5th meeting of this Sub-Committee.

(c):     National Center for Coastal Research (NCCR) under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has undertaken a comprehensive scientific study on National Assessment of Shoreline changes along Indian Coast. The study is based on analysis of  multi-spectral satellite images along with the field surveyed data. NCCR has prepared 526 maps for entire India mainland coast to identify areas vulnerable to coastal erosion on a 1:25000 scale, and the report has been shared with various Central and State Government agencies for implementing shoreline protection measures.

The Government of India is implementing National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) that provides the overarching framework for the development of strategic knowledge to assess the adaptation requirement. Tamil Nadu has prepared its State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) in alignment with NAPCC.

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, fully aligned with the goals and targets set under the Kunming Montreal Global Bio-Diversity Framework (KMGBF) has been prepared in  accordance  with  the  national  circumstances,  priorities  and  capabilities.  It,  inter  alia, envisages protecting terrestrial and marine areas, restoring degraded ecosystems and reducing biodiversity threats through pollution control and invasive species management.

(d):        'Mangrove  Initiative  for  Shoreline  Habitats  &  Tangible  Incomes  (MISHTI)'  was launched on 5 th   June 2024 with the objective to 'restore mangrove forests' by undertaking mangrove reforestation/ afforestation measures along the coast of India. The State Government of Tamil Nadu has not submitted any proposal for gap funding from National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA )under MISHTI.

The Government has undertaken several targeted measures to mitigate the impacts of severe river and coastal erosion.  The major initiative in this regard is the issuance of the 'Guidelines for appraisal and release of Funds for Coastal and River Erosion' under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF), with an allocation of 1500 crore for erosion mitigation activities during the period 2021-26.

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