Ahmedabad: Nearly 31% of Gujarat’s coastline- about 525 km, is facing erosion due to man-made activities, according to a Coastal Area Management Report by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. These findings highlight the impact of increasing emphasis on urbanisation and industrialisation at the cost of the environment.
According to the report, illegal sand mining on beaches, reduced sediment supply from dams, and rising sea levels are threatening the coastline in Gujarat. This loss of land and the rise in seawater salinity can endanger agriculture, industries and coastal communities, if left unchecked.
Areas of concern
South Gujarat districts like Valsad, Navsari and Bharuch are witnessing high erosion, with Navsari and Valsad having lost almost 60 sq km of land between 1985 and 2020. Other locations like Ghoga, Dumas, Kaniar, Kolak and Umbergaon are also facing severe erosion, leaving beaches vulnerable to waves and tidal action.
The report, presented in the Lok Sabha as well, said that almost 7,00,120 hectares of land in more than 500 villages have been affected, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists.
What should be done
The report recommends a dedicated, hybrid approach to protect the coastline, including structural solutions like construction of sea walls, offshore backwaters and groynes. Besides this, restoring mangroves and planting native vegetation could stabilise the coastal soils naturally. To ensure consistent and dedicated implementation, an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) task force can be set to enforce regulations and monitor progress.
Though the state government has taken measures to prevent salinity, this hasn’t been enough as the salinity levels in only about 87,860 hectares have seen a noticeable reduction. The government hasn’t prioritised environmental conservation the way it should, with experts warning this could threaten Gujarat’s industrial hubs, fisheries and fertile farmland. If left unchecked, salinity can affect the water table, further exacerbating water scarcity in many regions. With already a third of India’s coastline facing erosion, this is a matter the authorities cannot take lightly.
