Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Jal Shakti addressed concerns regarding sea level rise and coastal erosion in Gujarat's Saurashtra region, specifically focusing on seawater ingress, land salinization, and impacts on agriculture and drinking water. The government has taken steps, including construction of dykes and prevention walls, and is providing technical and financial assistance to mitigate these issues. Guidelines for salinity ingress management projects were published in May 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Problem Statement:**
* Coastal erosion and land salinity in Saurashtra (765 km coastline) are caused by natural factors and human interface.
* A High-Level Committee (HLC) reported 700,120 Ha area from 534 villages were affected by salinity ingress.
* Erosion is prevalent in specific sectors and locations, with approximately 66% of Junagadh coast facing erosion.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Flood management and coastal erosion schemes are implemented by State Governments, supplemented by central assistance via the Flood Management Border Area Programme (FMBAP).
* Two schemes for coastal protection in Jamnagar and Surat were approved under FMBAP with central assistance provided.
* The Government of Gujarat has constructed various structures (Tidal Regulators, Bandhara, Recharge Reservoirs, etc.) and afforestation to address salinity ingress.
* 3.505 kms of dykes/Anti Sea Erosion works have been constructed in vulnerable areas.
* CWC published guidelines for Salinity Ingress Management projects in Coastal Areas in May 2025.
* Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) conducted aquifer mapping and shared reports with state government.
* CGWB studied the efficacy of a Tidal regulator on Ambika River, showing positive impact on salinity mitigation.
* **Outcomes and Disaster Management:**
* Salinity prevention works have benefitted 87,860 Ha of land and stored 326.40 MCM of fresh water.
* Disaster management primarily rests with the State Government, with Central Government providing support.
* Financial assistance is provided through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
* Between 2021-22 and 2024-25, ₹4414.40 Crore was released as central share of SDRF and ₹1000 Cr. under NDRF.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Government of Gujarat:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for formulating and implementing flood management and coastal erosion schemes. Receives technical guidance and financial assistance from the Central Government.
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing schemes for flood control, anti-erosion, and drainage development. Utilize central assistance effectively.
* **Affected Communities in Saurashtra:**
* *Impact:* Directly affected by sea water ingress, land salinization, and impacts on agriculture and drinking water sources. Benefit from government initiatives aimed at preventing salinity ingress and disaster management.
* *Action Required:* Engage with State Government initiatives and utilize available resources for disaster relief and compensation as per government norms.
* **Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing technical support and guidelines for salinity ingress management.
* *Action Required:* CWC to support State Governments in implementing the DPR guidelines and CGWB to continue aquifer mapping efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Saurashtra region of Gujarat: A region in the state of Gujarat, India, specifically mentioned as being affected by sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Government of Gujarat: The state government responsible for addressing coastal erosion and salinity issues in Gujarat.
Flood Management Border Area Programme (FMBAP): A program through which the Government of India provides financial assistance to State Governments for flood management and related works.
Central Water Commission (CWC): An organization that published guidelines for salinity ingress management projects.
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM): A program under which the Central Ground Water Board carried out aquifer mapping in coastal districts.
Navsari District, Gujarat: A district in Gujarat where a study was conducted on the efficacy of a tidal regulator on the Ambika River to mitigate salinity ingress.
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF): A fund available to state governments for providing relief assistance during natural calamities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2039
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
DAMAGE CAUSED BY SEA LEVEL RISE AND COASTAL EROSION
2039. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the extent of damage caused by sea level rise and coastal erosion in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat,
particularly in terms of sea water ingress, land salinization and impact on agriculture and drinking water
sources;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to construct dykes and prevention walls to protect coastal
villages and agricultural land from sea water ingress and erosion;
(c) whether the Government has chalked out any action plan to prevent overground and underground
salinity ingress in coastal areas including measures to protect drinking water
sources and agricultural land and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the specific initiatives taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to support the affected
communities in Saurashtra region including the compensation or rehabilitation measures, if any?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) The issue of coastal erosion and land salinity is observed due to natural factors like salinity of Sea water
and also due to human interface in Coastal region of Saurashtra which is 765 kms long. As informed by
Government of Gujarat, a High-level Committee (HLC-1 &2) was formed in 1976 & 1978 respectively
under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Gujarat to resolve problem of Salinity ingress in Saurashtra
region. As per the report of Committees, 700120 Ha area from 534 villages were affected in Coastal region
of Saurashtra.
As per the National Assessment of Shoreline Change Report, published by NCCR (2018), in the
Saurashtra sector, viz. Amreli, Girsomnath, Porbandar, Devbhumi-Dwaraka and Jamnagar, erosion and
stable conditions are prevalent. In the Saurashtra sector, erosion is observed along Jaspara, Mithi, Viradi,
Thalsar and Gogha of Bhavnagar and in Adri, Navapara of Girsomnath. About 66% of Junagadh coast faces
erosion.
(b) & (c) Flood management including coastal erosion schemes are formulated and implemented by
concerned State Governments as per their priority. Government of India supplements the efforts of the State
Governments by providing technical guidance and financial assistance through Flood Management &
Border Area Programme (FMBAP). Under the Flood Management Component (FMP) component of
FMBAP, central assistance is provided to State Governments for taking up works related to flood control,
1anti-erosion, drainage development, anti-sea erosion, restoration of damaged flood management works,
etc. Two schemes namely, 1. Providing coastal protection/ sea wall to combat erosion from Sangam
Narayan temple to Gayatri temple at Taluka, Dwarka in district Jamnagar; 2. Anti-sea erosion works in
villages Dabhari, Neshkaranj and Dandi in District Surat related to Coastal protection/sea-erosion works for
the State of Gujarat with an estimated cost of Rs. 19.79 crore was approved during XIth plan under FMP
component of FMBAP and central assistance amounting to Rs. 2 crore has been released.
As per suggestion of HLC, Government of Gujarat has constructed 14 Tidal Regulators, 32 Bandhara,
18 Recharge Reservoirs, 34 Recharge Tank, 220km Spreading channel, 226km Radial Canal, 680 check
dams, 4487 nala Plugs and afforestation in 5867 Ha to resolve problem of Salinity ingress in Saurashtra
region. State Government has constructed dykes/Anti Sea Erosion works in total length of 3.505 kms at
various places in Saurashtra in vulnerable area.
In order to aid/assist the State Government in taking mitigation works to prevent the ‘overground and
underground salinity ingress in coastal areas including measures to protect drinking water sources and
agricultural land’, CWC has published the ‘Guidelines for Preparation of DPR for Salinity Ingress
Management projects in Coastal Areas’ in May 2025. This guideline provides scientific, sustainable, and
implementable solutions that can be adapted to local conditions across various coastal states and Union
Territories.
In addition, Central Ground Water Board under this Ministry has carried out Aquifer mapping under
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM) and reports of all the coastal districts
have been prepared and shared with state government and respective DM/DCs. Also, as per
recommendations of Special Secretary (Water Resources) Government of Gujarat, CGWB under NAQUIM
2.0 has carried out a study on efficacy of Tidal regulator built on Ambika River to mitigate salinity ingress
in Coastal area of Navsari District, the study shows positive impact of measures adopted to mitigate salinity.
(d) Government of Gujarat has informed that the works of prevention of salinity ingress have been
undertaken which aims at recharge of fresh water, augmentation of quality of underground water and
prevent sea water intrusion. About 87,860 Ha area of land has been benefitted directly and indirectly and
326.40 MCM fresh water stored in Salinity prevention structures.
The primary responsibility of disaster management rests with the State Government concerned. The
Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Government and provides requisite logistics and
financial support. The State Government undertakes assessment of damages caused due to 12 notified
natural calamities including rain and floods and provide relief assistance from State Disaster Response Fund
(SDRF) already placed at their disposal as per Government of India’s approved norms. Additional financial
assistance is provided from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure in case
of disaster of ‘severe nature’ which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central
Team (IMCT). During last five years from 2021-22 to 2024-25, an amount of Rs. 4414.40 Crore has been
released by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as central share of SDRF and Rs 1000 Cr. under NDRF.
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