|
|
|
Specification for coastal regulation zone chart and its development
Dr. R.B. Singh and S.S. Chauhan
Principal Civil Hydrographic Officer
National Hydrographic Office,
Dehradun, India
Abstract
Coastal Zone is always on the forefront of civilization and has been by far the most exploited geomorphical unit of earth. Its easy access and resourcefulness have always attracted human activities, but its complexity in understanding has led to misuse and abuse. In recent time, the coastal zone of world is under increasing pressure due to high rate of human population growth, development of various industries, fishing, mining, discharge of municipal sewage and industrial waste effluents. This industrial development on coast has resulted in degradation of coastal ecosystems and diminishing the living resources. Coastal area is vital to the prosperity of the country and are biologically most productive area, supporting wealth of living marine resources. Thus there is urgent need to conserve the coastal ecosystems and habitats by implementing the coastal regulation zone notification and integrated coastal zone management study.
The term coastal zone means the coastal water, wetland and shore land strongly influenced by marine waters. In other word, this is the area of interaction between land and sea, which is influenced by both terrestrial and marine environment. The coastal zone includes the area between high and low tide line, up to 10 nautical miles toward the sea from high tide line and up to 20 km. from high tide line towards land side. Environmentally affective coastal zone management requires accurate, up to date and comprehensive scientific data on which policy decision can be based. A basic problem in coastal zone study is limited availability of coastal data. Specific chart showing high and low tide lines as well as wetland and land use categories in coastal regulatory zones on large scale are extensively used for implementing guidelines for protection of coastal zone resources and habitats.
In view of above, there is a need to prepare coastal regulation zone plan and coastal zone management charts as per International standard of quality and accuracy for use by coastal states and coastal zone users. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to general discussion on planning of special coastal regulation zone chart for managing coastal zone and coastal features for sustainable use by demarcating high and low tide line on chart with the help of hydrographic survey carried out by Naval Hydrographic Department. The notification issued by government of India in connection with conservation of coastal resources and habitats has been discussed. The prohibited and regulation of permissible activities in coastal regulation zone along with coastal area classification are also reviewed in this paper.
|
|
|