**Executive Summary**
This document summarises the government's response to an unstarred question regarding the National Coastal Mission and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, focusing on shoreline erosion and coastal ecosystem resilience in Tirunelveli district. The response details assessments, initiatives, and plans undertaken by various government bodies at the central and state levels to address coastal vulnerabilities and promote climate resilience, mentioning the date of 15.12.2025. It covers monitoring frameworks, scientific studies, mangrove restoration efforts, and available funding mechanisms.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Coastal Vulnerability Assessment:**
* The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has created Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) maps for India's coastline.
* Tamil Nadu's coastline is 42.7% eroded, 33.6% stable, and 23.8% accreting.
* **State Government Initiatives:**
* The Government of Tamil Nadu established the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission (TNSHORE) on 10.01.2024 to address coastal threats in all 14 coastal districts.
* **Central Monitoring and Studies:**
* The Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors ecological health via the Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC), with representatives from all coastal states/UTs.
* The National Center for Coastal Research (NCCR) has conducted a study on shoreline changes along the Indian coast and shared it with government agencies.
* **National Action Plans and Frameworks:**
* The Government of India is implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
* Tamil Nadu has prepared its State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) in alignment with NAPCC.
* A National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has been prepared, aligned with the Kunming Montreal Global Bio-Diversity Framework (KMGBF).
* **Mangrove Restoration and Funding:**
* The "Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)” was launched on June 5th, 2024, to restore mangrove forests.
* The State Government of Tamil Nadu has not submitted any proposal for gap funding from CAMPA under MISHTI.
* **Erosion Mitigation:**
* The government has allocated ₹1500 crore for erosion mitigation activities under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) for the period 2021-26.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tamil Nadu Government**
* **Impact:** Expected to implement and coordinate various coastal protection and restoration initiatives, including TNSHORE.
* **Action Required:** Needs to submit a proposal for gap funding from National CAMPA under the MISHTI scheme to support mangrove restoration efforts.
**Coastal States/UTs**
* **Impact:** They need to deliberate on coastal erosion issues, host meetings of the Sub-Committee on Performance Evaluation of Coastal Protection Works.
* **Action Required:** They need to participate in the Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC) activities.
**Central Government Agencies (INCOIS, NCCR, CWC)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for carrying out assessments, studies, monitoring, and providing guidance for coastal protection and restoration.
* **Action Required:** They need to disseminate research findings, coordinate with state governments, and provide financial support for eligible projects.
Key Entities Referenced
National Coastal Mission and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP): A project aimed at addressing coastal vulnerability and degradation, with a focus on shoreline erosion and habitat loss.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India whose coastline is specifically addressed in this context regarding erosion, habitat degradation, and restoration efforts.
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): An overarching framework for strategic knowledge development to assess adaptation requirements to climate change, which Tamil Nadu aligns with through its State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC).
Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): An initiative launched to restore mangrove forests across India's coastline.
Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC): A committee under the Central Water Commission that undertakes ecological monitoring and deliberates on coastal erosion issues, with representation from coastal states/UTs including Tamil Nadu.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2491
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
National Coastal Mission and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project
2491. SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the findings from coastal vulnerability
assessments indicating shoreline erosion and habitat degradation along parts of
Tirunelveli district, as identified under the National Coastal Mission and Integrated
Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP);
(b) whether the Government has initiated any central-level review or monitoring framework
similar to those undertaken for protected areas, to evaluate ecological health and climate
resilience of coastal ecosystems in this region;
(c) the details of the centrally commissioned studies, modelling exercises, or pilot projects
approved by the Government to assess erosion intensity, biodiversity loss and adaptation
requirements along the said coastal belt; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to sanction or expand centrally funded projects for
shoreline stabilization, dune and mangrove regeneration or integrated coastal restoration
in Tirunelveli district under the ICZMP or allied national missions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a): The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES) has carried out the Coastal vulnerability assessment using the Coastal
Vulnerability Index (CVI) maps for the entire coastline of India. These maps have been
developed at a 1:100000 scale utilizing seven specific parameters. The coast of Tamil Nadu is
experiencing 42.7 % erosion, 33.6 % is stable and 23.8 % is accreting, out of 991.47 km of the
coastline.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has established the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission
(TNSHORE) through G.O. Ms. No. 11, Environment, Climate Change & Forest Department
(GoTN) dated 10.01.2024, to address the issues of threats to Tamil Nadu’s coastline, from both
natural and anthropogenic factors such as erosion, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change
impacts. The mission covers all 14 coastal districts of the state, including Tirunelveli.
(b): Central Water Commission (CWC), under Ministry of Jal Shakti undertakes ecological
monitoring through the Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC).
All coastal States/UTs, including Tamil Nadu, have their representatives in this committee.CPDAC provides a platform to deliberate on coastal erosion issues and includes a Sub-
Committee on Performance Evaluation of Coastal Protection Works, which conducts field
visits to assess the efficacy of coastal protection measures. The sub- committee has convened
8 meetings so far and Tamil Nadu has hosted the 5th meeting of this Sub-Committee.
(c): National Center for Coastal Research (NCCR) under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
has undertaken a comprehensive scientific study on National Assessment of Shoreline changes
along Indian Coast. The study is based on analysis of multi–spectral satellite images along
with the field surveyed data. NCCR has prepared 526 maps for entire India mainland coast to
identify areas vulnerable to coastal erosion on a 1:25000 scale, and the report has been shared
with various Central and State Government agencies for implementing shoreline protection
measures.
The Government of India is implementing National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
that provides the overarching framework for the development of strategic knowledge to assess
the adaptation requirement. Tamil Nadu has prepared its State Action Plan on Climate Change
(SAPCC) in alignment with NAPCC.
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, fully aligned with the goals and targets set
under the Kunming Montreal Global Bio-Diversity Framework (KMGBF) has been prepared
in accordance with the national circumstances, priorities and capabilities. It, inter alia,
envisages protecting terrestrial and marine areas, restoring degraded ecosystems and reducing
biodiversity threats through pollution control and invasive species management.
(d): “Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)” was
launched on 5th June 2024 with the objective to “restore mangrove forests” by undertaking
mangrove reforestation/ afforestation measures along the coast of India. The State Government
of Tamil Nadu has not submitted any proposal for gap funding from National Compensatory
Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA )under MISHTI.
The Government has undertaken several targeted measures to mitigate the impacts of severe
river and coastal erosion. The major initiative in this regard is the issuance of the “Guidelines
for appraisal and release of Funds for Coastal and River Erosion” under the National Disaster
Mitigation Fund (NDMF), with an allocation of 1500 crore for erosion mitigation activities
during the period 2021-26.
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