Kochi, Aug 11 (UNI) With the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Kerala plans to implement a Sustainable Coastal Protection and Climate Resilience Planning Project aimed at safeguarding approximately 90 kilometres of coastline through nature-based and scientifically designed coastal structures.
To protect and strengthen coastal areas, the Kerala Government and ADB will jointly organise a high-level workshop on sustainable coastal development.
This workshop is part of a large-scale programme conceptualised by ADB to assist Indian states in addressing challenges faced by the country’s 11,090-kilometre coastline due to climate change, a release said.
The event, themed “Resilient Coasts, Thriving Communities: Integrated Solutions”, will be held here on August 18 and 19.
The two-day programme will bring together national and international experts, government representatives, development partners, and coastal residents to discuss innovative methods for protecting India’s coasts and improving the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Given the increasing threats such as coastal erosion, tidal flooding, and other climate change impacts in densely populated coastal areas—home to more than 170 million people—there is an urgent need for coordinated and comprehensive coastal protection measures.
The intervention will be based on coastal stability models successfully tested in Karnataka and Maharashtra, where similar projects have helped reduce coastal erosion, restore coastal ecosystems, and improve local incomes.
According to Mio Oka, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, Kerala stands out as a model for enhancing local livelihood programmes through specially designed, nature-based, and scientific coastal protection measures.
She added that the forum aims to bring together best practices, innovations, and partnerships to accelerate sustainable development for India’s coastal communities, with participants sharing a wide range of ideas to enhance coastal stability.
