Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural…

Question

Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

India's long coastline offers fisheries, offshore oil and gas, placer minerals, ports, offshore wind and tourism, while hazard preparedness is strong on the cyclone-hit east coast but uneven elsewhere. Odisha cut cyclone deaths from about 10,000 in 1999 to almost zero in Cyclone Yaas in 2021.

**Introduction**

A 2024 re-measurement put India's coastline at about 11,098 km, with an EEZ of about 2 million sq km. It is a major economic asset, but also exposed to cyclones, tsunamis and erosion.

**Resource Potentials of the Coastline**

1. **Fisheries**: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala anchor marine fishing and shrimp farming, supported by PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (2020).
2. **Energy and minerals**: Mumbai High and the Krishna-Godavari basin yield oil and gas, while Kerala's Chavara sands hold monazite.
3. **Ports and trade**: About 95% of trade by volume moves by sea, and Sagarmala (2015) promotes port-led growth.
4. **Renewables and tourism**: Offshore wind off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu and Blue Flag beaches add new value.

**Status of Hazard Preparedness**

SKETCH: comparison | East vs West Coast
a: East coast
b: West coast
- Wide deltaic plains :: Narrow, cliffed strip
- KG gas, Odisha placer sands :: Mumbai High, Chavara monazite
- Frequent Bay cyclones :: Rising Arabian Sea cyclones
- Odisha zero-death model :: Tauktae 2021 losses

1. **Warning success**: Odisha cut cyclone deaths from about 10,000 in 1999 to almost zero in Yaas (2021), and INCOIS has issued tsunami warnings since 2007.
2. **Persisting gaps**: Tauktae (2021) exposed the west coast, about a third of the coast was eroding over 1990-2018, and over 90% of losses from five major extreme events were uninsured (16th Finance Commission study, 2025).

**Way Forward**

1. **Buffers and zoning**: Restore mangroves under MISHTI and screen every Sagarmala project for hazard risk.
2. **Last-mile model**: Extend Odisha's shelters and trained village volunteers to the west coast, backed by parametric risk insurance and state mitigation funds.

**Conclusion**

The coast can drive a blue economy for Viksit Bharat 2047. Spreading Odisha's preparedness along both coasts, under the Sendai Framework, will make that growth resilient.

Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas.

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