CHAPTER 11 • Coastal Zone Management in India - Problems, Practice and Requirements
215
11.3.3
Coastal Environmental Degradation
11.3.3.1
Degradation of Mangroves
The mangroves constitute an important coastal resource in India and mainly function
as the most ideal spawning, breeding and nursery grounds for economically important fish and crustaceans. They also act as "Coastal Stabilizers" and "Shelter belt areas". These formations protect the coasts and the landward areas from erosion and
cyclonic destructions to some extent. Mangroves constitute a significant portion of the
coastal wetland in India and a fairly large percentage of the coastal population is depende'ht on mangroves. In India, damage to mangroves has been particularly serious
on the west coast where there is no established forest industry. Indiscriminate exploitation fro timber, firewood, charcoal and tanning, conversion of mangrove areas to residential and industrial estates, extension of harbours and docks, uncontrolled pollution from tankers, sewage, industrial effluent discharge and pesticides from agricultural runoff all contribute to the degradation of mangroves. In the coast of Gulf of
Kuchch, over 110000 t of mangrove trees were cut down between 1948 and 1978
(Untawale and Sayeeda 1987). On the east coast, the mangroves are degraded by conversion to agriculture, aquaculture, for fuel needs and as fodder for cattle. Damage to
Sundarban's mangroves is summarized by Scott (1989). In the western part of
Sundarbans, large areas are settled and cultivated and very little natural mangrove forest
has remained. Furthermore, there has been a major reduction in the human use or
impact occurs directly and intentionally in harvesting reef resources such as fish, shells,
or collecting corals or coral sand for building or for industrial use. Several coral reefs
have almost disappeared because of the collection of the coral debris and live corals
for use as a raw material in the cement industry, while other have died due to their
constant exposure to 'pollutants such as oil (Wafar 1986). The development of Tuticorin
harbour and associated oil pollution and industrial discharges have caused significant
damage in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay area (UNEP 1985). Reefs of Gulf of Kuchch
are said to be under serious threat from sand mining and industrial pollution. Coral
mining industry has caused major damage to the reefs of the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of
Kuchch, Andaman and Nicobar islands. In Tamilnadu, over 400 people are employed
in the Gulf of Mannar area where 10 000 t of lime are produced per year. For this purpose, about 15 000 t of corals are taken a year. This continues even though it was banned
in 1979. The massive corals are mined for building and roads. These activities have
damaged reefs both in the Gulf of Mannar and in Palk Bay (Ramachandran 1997).
11.3.3.2
Degradation of Coral Reef
Coral reefs are biologically diverse in comparison with other ecosystems. Reefs are an
essential supplier of protein to subsistence communities, a valuable currency earner
for low income countries through exploitation of their resources and through tourism, a
protector ofland and a naturalist's paradise. India has a total of 1270 km 2 of coral reefs in
the following coastal states: Gujarat -130 km 2 , Tamiln.adu -10 km 2 , Lakshadweep - 71 km 2
215
11.3.3
Coastal Environmental Degradation
11.3.3.1
Degradation of Mangroves
The mangroves constitute an important coastal resource in India and mainly function
as the most ideal spawning, breeding and nursery grounds for economically important fish and crustaceans. They also act as "Coastal Stabilizers" and "Shelter belt areas". These formations protect the coasts and the landward areas from erosion and
cyclonic destructions to some extent. Mangroves constitute a significant portion of the
coastal wetland in India and a fairly large percentage of the coastal population is depende'ht on mangroves. In India, damage to mangroves has been particularly serious
on the west coast where there is no established forest industry. Indiscriminate exploitation fro timber, firewood, charcoal and tanning, conversion of mangrove areas to residential and industrial estates, extension of harbours and docks, uncontrolled pollution from tankers, sewage, industrial effluent discharge and pesticides from agricultural runoff all contribute to the degradation of mangroves. In the coast of Gulf of
Kuchch, over 110000 t of mangrove trees were cut down between 1948 and 1978
(Untawale and Sayeeda 1987). On the east coast, the mangroves are degraded by conversion to agriculture, aquaculture, for fuel needs and as fodder for cattle. Damage to
Sundarban's mangroves is summarized by Scott (1989). In the western part of
Sundarbans, large areas are settled and cultivated and very little natural mangrove forest
has remained. Furthermore, there has been a major reduction in the human use or
impact occurs directly and intentionally in harvesting reef resources such as fish, shells,
or collecting corals or coral sand for building or for industrial use. Several coral reefs
have almost disappeared because of the collection of the coral debris and live corals
for use as a raw material in the cement industry, while other have died due to their
constant exposure to 'pollutants such as oil (Wafar 1986). The development of Tuticorin
harbour and associated oil pollution and industrial discharges have caused significant
damage in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay area (UNEP 1985). Reefs of Gulf of Kuchch
are said to be under serious threat from sand mining and industrial pollution. Coral
mining industry has caused major damage to the reefs of the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of
Kuchch, Andaman and Nicobar islands. In Tamilnadu, over 400 people are employed
in the Gulf of Mannar area where 10 000 t of lime are produced per year. For this purpose, about 15 000 t of corals are taken a year. This continues even though it was banned
in 1979. The massive corals are mined for building and roads. These activities have
damaged reefs both in the Gulf of Mannar and in Palk Bay (Ramachandran 1997).
11.3.3.2
Degradation of Coral Reef
Coral reefs are biologically diverse in comparison with other ecosystems. Reefs are an
essential supplier of protein to subsistence communities, a valuable currency earner
for low income countries through exploitation of their resources and through tourism, a
protector ofland and a naturalist's paradise. India has a total of 1270 km 2 of coral reefs in
the following coastal states: Gujarat -130 km 2 , Tamiln.adu -10 km 2 , Lakshadweep - 71 km 2