Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Narendra Bhooshan, today stressed the need to strengthen coastal resilience to climate change while protecting livelihoods to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. 

 

Addressing a two-day National Workshop on Enhancing Coastal Resilience through Adaptive Strategies in New Delhi, Mr. Bhooshan highlighted the need to address climate risks in coastal regions.

 

He emphasised the importance of mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes and coral reefs in protecting biodiversity, supporting livelihoods and safeguarding coastal areas.

 

He said India had strengthened the scientific basis for coastal planning through shoreline-change assessments, hazard-line mapping and coastal vulnerability assessments. He added that the next priority was to translate this information into effective planning, infrastructure development and investment decisions at the State, district and local levels.

 

UNDP India Resident Representative Dr. Angela Lusigi highlighted the role of coastal ecosystem restoration in supporting livelihoods, empowering women and helping them become self-reliant through enterprise development.

 

The workshop is being organised under the Green Climate Fund project, Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities. The project aims to restore critical coastal ecosystems and strengthen the livelihoods of communities living in highly vulnerable areas.