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Journal of Oceanography and Marine Research | ISSN: 2572-3103 | Volume 6
&
Marine Science, Coastal Dynamics and Management
6
th
International Conference on
Oceanography, Ocean Technology and Marine Biology
6
th
International Conference on
September 21-22, 2018 | Dallas, USA
Status of coastal ecosystems and management in India
Sainudeen Sahib
SN College, India
I
ndia has a coastline of more than 7500 km. Marine resources are spread over in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and the Bay of
Bengal. The economic zone (EEZ) of the country has an area of 2.02 million sq km comprising 0.86 million sq km on the west
coast, 0.56 million sq km on the east coast and 0.6 million sq km around the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Marine fish production
has increased from 0.5 million tonnes in 1950 to 3.8 million tonnes in 2015, contributing substantially to nutritional security, income,
and livelihood of a large population of the country. Available information indicates that the oceans and coastal biomes contribute
substantially to the ecosystem services that make up the country’s natural capital. India has opportunities to reap many economic
benefits from living and non-living resources of coastal and marine areas including fisheries and biodiversity. In India, a large number
of people are dependent on the coastal and marine ecosystems and their resources for survival and livelihood. For conserving and
managing coastal and marine resources and ecosystems, a strong legislative framework exists in India. The acts and supporting rules
and regulations directly and indirectly related to management of coastal and marine areas and biodiversity are as follows: Coast
Guard Act, 1978; Merchant Shipping Act, 1958; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1974; The Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976; Forest Conservation
Act, 1980; Marine Fishing Regulation Acts, 1981 (separate acts promulgated by each coastal State/UT based on a model. Bill prepared
by the Union Ministry of Agriculture); Coastal Pollution Control Series, 1982; Environment Protection Act, India has established 31
Coastal & Marine Protected Areas (CMPAs). For the purpose of conserving and protecting the coastal areas and marine waters, the
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area is classified as CRZ I, CRZ II, CRZ III and CRZ IV. The areas that have been developed up to or
close to the shoreline are included in CRZ II, generally referred as the area within the municipal limits, CRZ III includes areas that
relatively undisturbed, less built up and rural areas, and CRZ IV includes the water area from the Low Tide Line to twelve nautical
miles on the seaward side. The areas that are ecologically sensitive and the geomorphologic features which play a role in maintaining
the integrity of the coast is referred to as CRZ I.
sainudeenpattazhy@hotmail.comJ Oceanogr Mar Res 2018, Volume 6
DOI: 10.4172/2572-3103-C1-006