Coastal Environments Of India

Coastal Environments of India

This book is the result of comprehensive research work on the various aspects of the West Bengal coast including the world’s largest riverine delta system, the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta. The role of various hydrodynamic factors in shaping the coastal configuration and physicochemical parameters of coastal waters, soils, and granulometry of beach sands are extensively discussed. The coasts of the Indian peninsula, particularly the east coast, are subjected to severe cyclones, tidal bores, storm surges, and strong drift, which changes the coastal configuration as well as the quality of waters and the fertility of soils. A systematic description of major cyclones and their effects on coastal areas are described in detail. The book offers comprehensive information on the prevailing ecological conditions and lush green mangrove forests with wide-ranging flora and fauna of Sundarbans. UNESCO has declared Sundarbans as one of the world’s heritage sites, and as in other parts of the world, some of the coastal areas in West Bengal have attracted the attention of many tourists. Various steps undertaken by the government for coastal zone management and sustainable development of the coastal areas have been highlighted in the book. This book will be of interest to students and researchers of the coastal environment.

COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS OF INDIA

Coastal Environments

Coastal Environments: Problems and Perspectives display the impact of natural forces and processes on man and also the impact of man on the coastal environment. The exploitation of natural mineral resources, navigation and recreation activities are an integral part of the problems and perspectives of coastal environments. This volume highlights various processes, particularly sediment transport, coastal erosion and its management, landform evolution and resources of the coastal region. The case studies are presented under each section. The availability of comprehensive basic scientific data is vital for effective coastal zone management. There are sixteen papers together on coastal resources, coastal landforms, coastal erosion, sediment transport and dredging and all these add the scientific information for coastal zone management. The last section of the book comprises the papers on application of remote sensing in environmental studies and two assorted papers on surface run-off and flora of Gondwanaland. The causes for coastal erosion, the present scenario of erosion along Kerala and Karnataka coasts and the mitigation procedures have been explained in this book. The utility of seawalls and other protection structures in arresting coastal erosion has been discussed and debated in detail.