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Responsible Coastal Investment: A Model to Make India a $20 Trillion Economy
P. Dey
Present address: India Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal-462038
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 0755-2689933
Introduction
With 7500 km coastline, the coastal zone which represents the transition from
terrestrial to marine influences (and vice versa) and supports livelihood of almost 30%
population, is utmost important for Indian economy. The peninsular region of India is
bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west, the Bay of Bengal on the east and Indian
Ocean to its south with two distinct major island ecosystems, the Andaman and Nicobar
Group of Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.
This zone not only comprises shoreline ecosystems, but also the upland watersheds
draining into coastal waters and the near shore sub-littoral ecosystems, is influenced by
land-based activities. The zone is endowed with one of the best resources of soil, water,
climate and biodiversity including forests and mangroves which is the source of
livelihood for the small and marginal farmers and the landless labourers. However, over
exploitation and unscientific use of these resources to meet the growing need of
burgeoning human and livestock populations during last about four decades have set in
the processes of degradation and resultant threat to livelihood security. This warrant for
a responsible coastal investment plan including land and resource inventorization,
synchrony between food security and rural development: transparency, good
governance consultation and people’s participation, economic viability and responsible
agro-enterprise investing, and environmental and social sustainability. A model
responsible coastal investment plan include reclamation of acid sulphate soils,
fertilization in coastal sand dunes, efficient storage of rainwater in on farm reservoir and
skimming of fresh rain water floating over saline groundwater, rehabilitation of denuded
mangroves and coastal wetland, rice-fish multi cropping including agroforestry system,
aquaculture for integrated coastal management, rehabilitation of abandoned prawn
culture ponds, and strategies to manage cyclones and disasters.
Management of acid sulphate soils
Acid sulphate soils are common occurrence of coastal zone in the lowlying areas
of Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sundarbans and West Bengal. Alunite
group [(K,Na)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6] and Jarosite-group minerals [(K,Na)Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6] and
main minerals which cause acidity on oxidation. Crop growth is limited in these soils due
to toxic levels of aluminum and manganese as well as deficiency of phosphorus and
calcium contents.
Acid sulphate soil management strategies include the following:

Liming of the soil @ 3 to 4 tonnes per hectare,

Application of double the recommended dose of phosphorus fertilizer (35
kg per hectare) along with liming,

Green manuring with lime and phosphorus application, and

Application of rock phosphate @1.5 to 2.0 t/ha during the dry season.
Fertilization in coastal sand dunes
Coastal sand dunes cover a sizeable part of coastal soils. Most of these sand
dunes are deficient in plant nutrients due to extensive leaching which occurs during their
formation, transport and deposition. Fertilization in coastal sand dunes is important
practice for improving the establishment and growth of plants. Application of nitrogen in
the form of nitrification inhibitor such as N-serve to minimize nitrogen losses as NO3-N is
recommended.
These soils have ample scope for cultivation of multi-purpose tree
species like Casuarina equisetifolia.
Management of plant nutrient include basal
application of 6-11 kg phosphorus per hectare. Usually there is no need of potassium
application as such soils are rich in potassium. Green lopping of Glyricidia, application
of city/rural compost, azola and leaves of locally available trees along with inorganic
nitrogen fertilizer improves productivity and sustainability.
Efficient storage of rainwater
Utilization of this vast water resources in the coastal regions comprise of rivers,
reservoirs, canals, tanks and ponds, lakes, beel and brackish water has been minuscule
so far. One of the main reason is geogenic issues which may deteriorate the ground
water quality characterized by high salinity of groundwater, besides paucity of good
quality water in the post-monsoon season. Building up the salinity in soil and
groundwater is always a limitation for taking second post-monsoon crop. Efficient
storage of rainwater is one of the strategies for raising a second crop after monsoon
and improve livelihood of the coastal areas. Therefore, responsible coastal investment
in storage and utilisation of rainwater which is estimated ranging from 100 to 400 cm
during monsoon is utmost important.
Case studies have shown that efficient storage of rainwater in on farm reservoir
(OFR) during Kharif and its recycling during rabi for raising successful crops can be
easily adopted in coastal areas with limited investment. The model is popularly called
80-20 model. In the process, about one-fifth (20%) area many be earmarked for OFR to
harvest excess rainwater for use to provide lifesaving irrigation for crops raised in rest
80% areas in the lean period using drip and sprinkler systems. Another important
method of increasing area under crop in the post monsoon period is skimming of fresh
rain water floating over saline groundwater and use of such water for providing life
saving irrigation. The farmers in the coastal areas have developed a technique called
Dorouv Technology to skim fresh rain water floating over the saline water. However,
high cost (Rs.30, 000 to 40,000/ha) of skimming structures and almost an equal amount
for engine, sprinkler/drip system is limiting its wide scale adoption. Government subsidy
for small and marginal farmers to promote this noble technique is warranted. Strategy
also include growing of salt tolerant fruit, vegetable and other crops and increasing
water productivity through multiple use of water with major emphasis on saline
aquaculture. The ground water in some parts is contaminated with arsenic, which is
needs urgent attention.
Protection and conservation of mangroves
Mangroves, mainly developed in the zone inundated daily by the high and low
tides and stop sharply beyond the influence of salt water, are an integral part of coastal
ecology and a source of livelihood for the coastal mass especially the landless
labourers. Mangroves serve as protective function against tidal action, soil conservation,
source of economic products, source of fodder, timber, poles, tanning bark, fuelwood,
charcoal, promotion of cottage industries, breeding ground for prawns, fish, crabs and
mollusks, etc. These found in the littoral regions in the tropics, in the estuaries of rivers,
in creeks and lagoons and in low mud flats along the sea coast where soil is silty loam
or stiff clay depending upon the salinity status and vicinity to the tidal influence. The
mangrove forests are found in coastal areas as well as in islands and spread in a total
area of about 4482 sq km accounting for 0.14% of the geographical area of the country
and about 5% of world’s mangroves. Continuous denudation of mangroves to meet
timber wood needs of the increasing human and livestock populations has resulted in
accelerated soil and water erosion, sediment movement, nutrient loss and hydrological
degradation. The dense impenetrable growth together with extensive network of
numerous stilt roots as in case of Rhizophorus mucronata and the knee root of
Burguiera gymmerhiza protect the trees against the tidal action and washing away of
soil, as the roots hold the silt and also facilitate deposition of silt brought by the tides.
The profuse growth of breathing aerial roots called pneumatophores above the ground
in the presence of numerous lenticels on the root surface as in Avicennia officinalis and
Sommeratia apetala are source of adequate aeration. It is reported that 35 mangrove
areas in the country have been identified for intensive conservation and management
because of their defensive role to mitigate the cyclone damage. Conservation of already
existing mangroves and large scale planting of mangrove species along the coast
should be given highest priority to sustain livelihoods and moderation of cyclone
damage as mangrove play a significant role in mitigating storm impact through various
means including wind breaks and buffer zones.
Agroforestry
Agroforestry is a lnad use system of growing of multi-purpose forest, fruit,
industrial and medicinal trees in association with different pulse, oilseed, fiber, spices,
medicinal and aromatic crops as under story vegetation. The multi-tier system provides
assured income, food and nutritional security and livelihood guarantee in otherwise
ecologically disadvantaged coastal region. Since, cyclones, storms, tsunamies, floods
and droughts are a regular feature in the coastal belt, this kind of land use covers the
risk during such disasters. Some of the most common agroforestry systems prevalent
in the coastal belt are agri-horticulture(fruit trees+ crops), agri-silviculture (trees +
crops), alley cropping(hedges+ crops), boundary plantation(trees on boundary + crops),
block plantation(trees + crops), energy plantation (trees+ crops during initial years) etc.
The fruits and vegetables alongwith backyard poultry and other inter crops is a major
component of the home gardens being maintained in the coastal eco-system.
Salvadora persica, a salt tolerant facultative halophyte has been identified as a potential
source for seed oil in salt affected vertisols. Seeds of this plant are good source of nonedible seed oil rich in C-12 and C-14 fatty acids having immense applications in soap
and detergent industry. Salvadora tolerates salinity upto 50 dS/m and responds well to
saline water irrigation. NABARD has prepared a bankable scheme to promote
Salvadora cultivation in saline vertisols of Gujarat region.
Rice-Fish culture
Rice-fish culture as an alternative to traditional solo rice cultivation under lowland
coastal areas. Most of the lands during rabi season remain fallow due to lack of fresh
water for crop cultivation; the vast resource of saline water available in the area which
can be exploited to generate livelihood through rice-fish culture. Fishes viz., prawn (P.
monodon), parsia (L. parsia) are highly profitable and can be cultivated with saline water
during summer season when otherwise the land remains unutilized. During kharif
season, some fresh water fishes can also be cultivated along with the rice within the
confined field to improve productivity and profitability. Harvests of rice, fresh water
fishes, vegetables and brackish water fishes are possible from the same piece of field
within the same year to enhance land and water productivity.
Crop diversification
There is ample scope to improve productivity through the introduction of salt
tolerant varieties and crop diversification.
Identified/improved crop varieties for the coastal saline soils in rabi/summer season
Crop
Varieties
Sugarbeet
Mariboresistapaly, Rameanskya
Cotton
081, J.K. 260-2, J.K276-4-l-2, F 414, MESR 17
Barley
Karan 19, Ratna, DL 120, K 125, Azad
Chilli
CA 960, Suryamukhi, Pusa Jwala
Safflower
Bhima, Manjira and some GMU lines
Linseed
C219-1-1, NP 71
Watermelon
Sugar Sweet, Sugar Baby
Mustard
8-85, T-59, Varun
Coastal Aquaculture
Shrimp production is a traditional practice in the many coastal areas and provide
livelihood to many people in the region. Over time, brackish water aquaculture has
witnessed exceptional growth in the coastal belt with considerable increase in the
shrimp production.
Cultured shrimps presently contribute around 45% to the total
shrimp exported in quantity and 60% in foreign exchange value. The subsector which
include seed and feed has been significant with the present annual production of over
12 billion seed from 300 shrimp hatcheries and 1,50,000 tonnes of feed from 33 feed
mills in the country. Further increase in the infrastructure for sea food processing with
over 394 freezing plants, 157 ice plants and 479 cold storage facilities is being realized.
It has been reported that shrimp farming provides direct employment to 0.3 million
people and the ancillary units of about 0.6 million people. Responsible investment in
this sector and related subsector has great potential. Greater linkages between farm
production and consumer demand and increased control of the vertical food system by
large agri-business entities would perhaps determine the direction of growth of coastal
aquaculture. Together with vast internal demand in domestic market for both fresh and
value added fishery products and international market for value added products, coastal
aquaculture provides an opportunity for responsible investment for prosperity.
Disasters management in coastal areas
Coastline of India is exposed to nearly 10% of the world’s tropical cyclones with
strike rate of 5 to 6 cyclones per year, about half of which are severe in which the east
coast is mostly affected. The frequency analysis of cyclones for the period 1891 to 1990
showed that 262 cyclones occurred on the east coast and 33 on the west coast. The
November 1977 cyclone in Andhra Pradesh was very severe with Official figures show
9941 people dead, 900 missing and 34 lacs homeless, crops lost in 3.3 mha and 1.01
million houses damaged. Similarly, Gujarat cyclone in 1998 left 1040 dead, several
military and private establishments were damaged.
Destructive winds coupled with
heavy rain results in widespread flooding of coastal areas and thus increasing salinity in
the soil and ground water.
The most immediate and visible impact of cyclone on
agriculture is the damage to standing crops, livestock, household property, production
assets and physical infrastructure. The level of damage also depends on topography
and soil type, water holding and drainage capacity, farming practices, permeability of
the soil etc. The forest growth is also indirectly effected through flood damage or
deposition of mud slides and occurrence of root and collar-rot diseases. Impact on
livestock include huge loss of animals and birds due to direct surge of storm and
flooding and subsequent death of animals and birds due to scarcity of feed, fodder and
water, outbreak of diseases. Impact on fisheries include damage of habitats and shifting
of fishing zones.
Strategies to manage cyclones include establishment of bio-shield along the
cyclone prone coastal areas and conservation of mangroves to serve as wind breaks
and buffer zones.
Soil conservation and water management practices including
installing drainage works where roads, settlements and arable land are vulnerable to
flood following heavy rain and constructing small scale embankments, dams, canals
and improved drainage systems for the protection of arable and grazing land from flood
and tidal waves in coastal areas can significantly contribute to improved livelihood
security. Adoption of bio-saline agriculture including salt tolerant crops and varieties
along with large scale planting of trees such as Casuarina as windbreaks or shelter
belts along the coast will also help to a great extent. Establishment of safe drinking
water bodies/desalinization plants as well as permanent sites for cattle camps with
assured fodder availability is also an important aspect of livestock management in case
of natural calamities. Development and promotion of cooperative dairy in the coastal
region may be another livestock management strategy.
Conclusion
Coastal pollution monitoring and management strategy should be integrated in
the responsible coastal management plan to encourage sustainable resource use while
minimizing and mitigating negative impact. Policies should also be adapted to undertake
identification and simulation of time series storm surges and tsunami and forecasting
models as well as application of remote sensing, GIS and GPS techniques in real time
assessment and monitoring of impacts. Hence, planners and policy makers have yet
another tool and dimension to initiate participatory action plan involving researchers,
extension specialists, IT professionals and general public in order to develop a
responsible coastal investment plan that will ensure livelihood security besides
stabilizing fragile coastal ecosystem.