CHAPTER 13 . Coastal Zone Management: Issues and Initiatives in Small South Asian Nations 253
Siltation, causing reduced primary production and obstruction of the outlets of lagoons and estuaries, is a major problem. Large amounts of fertile soils are lost due to
existing agricultural and forestry practices. Some studies indicate that the sedimentation loads in the large rivers entering the Bay of Bengal have increased a hundred times
in the last century. This reduces carrying capacity, both in the terrestrial and aquatic
habitats, and the long-term consequences can be disastrous in view of the continued
population growth.
Sewage pollution, is of particular concern in all countries around the Bay of Bengal.
Wastes, without any treatment, are directly discharged into the waters of the densely
populated coastal regions. Rivers, lakes, lagoons, bays etc., are anoxic for shorter and
longer periods during the year, causing fish kills. In addition, serious health problems
connected with such pollution are also prevalent. About three quarters of all diseases
in the <'Jeveloping countries are caused by waterborne microorganisms. The most promising remedy suggested is sewage-fed fish farming and biological treatment in oxygen
ponds and ditches. These methods offer a revenue in addition to serving as waste treatment process.
Overexploitation of the marine living resource and the environmental impact of
aquaculture are also major concerns of the region and need new management plans,
and a closer attention to habitat destruction. It is evident from the above facts that small
South Asian nations such as Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka have taken some steps
to better protect and manage their coastal resources. However, such initiatives are not
adequate since they remain narrow and sectoral in focus. There is a greater need for a
comprehensive integrated coastal area management and for greater interdepartmental coordination.
References
Ali A (1980) Storm surges in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Times, Dhaka, pp 25-26
Amarasingha MD (1988) ?ocio-economic status of human communities of selected mangrove areas on
the west coast of Sri Lanka. UNESCO Occ Pap N° 3, UNESCO, UNDP
Brown BE (1997) Integrated coastal management: South Asia. Department of Marine Sciences and Coastal
Management, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Brown BE, Dunne RP (1988) The impact of coral mining in Maldives. Env Conserv 15: 159-165
Dassanayake H (1994) Environmental assessment of Sri Lanka. In: An environmental assessment of the
Bay of Bengal region. SWEDMAR, Bay of Bengal Report BOBP/REP/67
Haider 5MB, Mal!mood N (1992) The coral genus Acropora (Scleractinia: Astrocoenina: Acroporidae) in
near shore waters of the St. Martin's Island, Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Zool (in press)
Haque M, Islam MA, Ahmed ST, Hoque SM (1979) Geology of the St. Martin's Island. Bangladesh J Sci
Ind Res 2(B):17-27
Holmgren S (1994) An environmental assessment of the Bay of Bengal region. SWEDMAR, Bay of Bengal Report BOBP/REP/67
Islam AKMN (1980) A marine angiosperm from St. Martin's island. Bangladesh J Bot 9(2):177-178
Khan MS, Karim A (1982) Bangladesh: Utilization of the deltaic zone. In: Chandra HS, Chia LS, William
L (eds) Man, land and sea: Coastal resource use and management in Asia and Pacific. The Agricultural Development Council, Bangkok, pp 85-102
Mal!mood N (1986) Effect of shrimp farming and other impacts on mangroves of Bangladesh. Paper
presented at the 3 rd session of the IPFC working party of experts on Inland Fisheries, Bangkok, Thailand, 19th-27th June 1986 FAO Fish Report N° 70, pp 46-66
Mahmood N, Chowdhury MJU, Hossain MM Haider 5MB, Choudhury SR (1994) Environmental assessment of Bangladesh. In: An environmental assessment of the Bay of Bengal region. SWEDMAR, Bay
of Bengal Report BOBP/REP/67
Naseer A (1996) Status of coral mining in Maldives. Impacts and management options. Proceedings of
a workshop on integrated reef resources management. Maldives
Siltation, causing reduced primary production and obstruction of the outlets of lagoons and estuaries, is a major problem. Large amounts of fertile soils are lost due to
existing agricultural and forestry practices. Some studies indicate that the sedimentation loads in the large rivers entering the Bay of Bengal have increased a hundred times
in the last century. This reduces carrying capacity, both in the terrestrial and aquatic
habitats, and the long-term consequences can be disastrous in view of the continued
population growth.
Sewage pollution, is of particular concern in all countries around the Bay of Bengal.
Wastes, without any treatment, are directly discharged into the waters of the densely
populated coastal regions. Rivers, lakes, lagoons, bays etc., are anoxic for shorter and
longer periods during the year, causing fish kills. In addition, serious health problems
connected with such pollution are also prevalent. About three quarters of all diseases
in the <'Jeveloping countries are caused by waterborne microorganisms. The most promising remedy suggested is sewage-fed fish farming and biological treatment in oxygen
ponds and ditches. These methods offer a revenue in addition to serving as waste treatment process.
Overexploitation of the marine living resource and the environmental impact of
aquaculture are also major concerns of the region and need new management plans,
and a closer attention to habitat destruction. It is evident from the above facts that small
South Asian nations such as Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka have taken some steps
to better protect and manage their coastal resources. However, such initiatives are not
adequate since they remain narrow and sectoral in focus. There is a greater need for a
comprehensive integrated coastal area management and for greater interdepartmental coordination.
References
Ali A (1980) Storm surges in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Times, Dhaka, pp 25-26
Amarasingha MD (1988) ?ocio-economic status of human communities of selected mangrove areas on
the west coast of Sri Lanka. UNESCO Occ Pap N° 3, UNESCO, UNDP
Brown BE (1997) Integrated coastal management: South Asia. Department of Marine Sciences and Coastal
Management, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Brown BE, Dunne RP (1988) The impact of coral mining in Maldives. Env Conserv 15: 159-165
Dassanayake H (1994) Environmental assessment of Sri Lanka. In: An environmental assessment of the
Bay of Bengal region. SWEDMAR, Bay of Bengal Report BOBP/REP/67
Haider 5MB, Mal!mood N (1992) The coral genus Acropora (Scleractinia: Astrocoenina: Acroporidae) in
near shore waters of the St. Martin's Island, Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Zool (in press)
Haque M, Islam MA, Ahmed ST, Hoque SM (1979) Geology of the St. Martin's Island. Bangladesh J Sci
Ind Res 2(B):17-27
Holmgren S (1994) An environmental assessment of the Bay of Bengal region. SWEDMAR, Bay of Bengal Report BOBP/REP/67
Islam AKMN (1980) A marine angiosperm from St. Martin's island. Bangladesh J Bot 9(2):177-178
Khan MS, Karim A (1982) Bangladesh: Utilization of the deltaic zone. In: Chandra HS, Chia LS, William
L (eds) Man, land and sea: Coastal resource use and management in Asia and Pacific. The Agricultural Development Council, Bangkok, pp 85-102
Mal!mood N (1986) Effect of shrimp farming and other impacts on mangroves of Bangladesh. Paper
presented at the 3 rd session of the IPFC working party of experts on Inland Fisheries, Bangkok, Thailand, 19th-27th June 1986 FAO Fish Report N° 70, pp 46-66
Mahmood N, Chowdhury MJU, Hossain MM Haider 5MB, Choudhury SR (1994) Environmental assessment of Bangladesh. In: An environmental assessment of the Bay of Bengal region. SWEDMAR, Bay
of Bengal Report BOBP/REP/67
Naseer A (1996) Status of coral mining in Maldives. Impacts and management options. Proceedings of
a workshop on integrated reef resources management. Maldives