Web app to help keep an eye on country’s eroding coastline
WATCHDOG Users can analyse existing information on coastal structures and later mark changes, add new projects
MUMBAI: You can now monitor large development projects along the country’s already-eroded coastline. In an effort to monitor coastal development, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has launched an interactive web application comprising information from all the projects and coastal structures on the coastline.It can be accessed on http:// maps.tiss.edu/maps/1/view.
“The Indian coastline has protected marine areas, power plants,
ports and special economic zones, but the data on these projects is
fragmented. The web application will provide a bird’s eye view on
development along the coastline that can be accessed by people,” said
Sudarshan Rodriquez, TISS.
To begin, one can plot and analyse existing information such as number of ports, power plants or construction of structures such as sea walls. “By the end of the year, anyone will be able to record changes in the coastline, mark new projects and edit or review formation, thereby making the entire exercise interactive,” said Alpesh Gajbe, system administrator, TISS.
The web application is part of the Coastal Area Mapping Project by TISS in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation PondyCAN and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) to help gauge the extent of development activities along the country’s 7,516. 6-km coastline. It aims to help protect marine diversity and the livelihood of those who depend on the coastal eco-system. According to the Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee, the extent of sea erosion along the 5,422.6 km mainland coastline (excluding islands) has increased from 22.4% in 2004 to 29.96% this year. A recent report ‘The Challenged Coast of India’ revealed that commercial activities occupy 713km, settlements are spread across1,411kms while shoreline changes have taken place along 1624kms. While ports occupy 104 kms, on an average, there is one coastal structure such as sea walls for every 8-10km of the coastline.
To begin, one can plot and analyse existing information such as number of ports, power plants or construction of structures such as sea walls. “By the end of the year, anyone will be able to record changes in the coastline, mark new projects and edit or review formation, thereby making the entire exercise interactive,” said Alpesh Gajbe, system administrator, TISS.
The web application is part of the Coastal Area Mapping Project by TISS in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation PondyCAN and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) to help gauge the extent of development activities along the country’s 7,516. 6-km coastline. It aims to help protect marine diversity and the livelihood of those who depend on the coastal eco-system. According to the Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee, the extent of sea erosion along the 5,422.6 km mainland coastline (excluding islands) has increased from 22.4% in 2004 to 29.96% this year. A recent report ‘The Challenged Coast of India’ revealed that commercial activities occupy 713km, settlements are spread across1,411kms while shoreline changes have taken place along 1624kms. While ports occupy 104 kms, on an average, there is one coastal structure such as sea walls for every 8-10km of the coastline.
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