Geo-Eye

Abstract

In the present research work, an attempt has been made to assess the coastal vulnerability of the Konkan stretch between Bankot and Dabhol creeks, Maharashtra, using GIS and various sources of geospatial data. The study area comprises the coast of Mandangad and Dapoli tahsils in the northern part of Ratnagiri district. The study area is bounded by two west flowing rivers debouching into the Arabian Sea viz.: Savitri River in the north and Vashishti River in the south. The study area is a part of Western Ghats and coastal plains agroecological region. The tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea in recent years have stressed the importance of assessing the vulnerability of coastal areas to flooding and inundation. The coastline of Ratnagiri district, which has many beaches, tourism places, fishing villages, ports and towns, has been facing risk from cyclones, floods and erosion. The major objective of the present work is analysis and integration of physical variables with socio-economic variables to assess the coastal vulnerability. The physical coastal vulnerability index (PCVI) parameters are coastal geomorphology, shoreline changes, coastal slope, sea level rise rate, significant wave height and tidal range. The socio-economic coastal vulnerability index (SCVI) parameters are population density, coastal land use, coastal roads and economic activities. A composite coastal vulnerability index (CCVI) based on physical and socio-economic parameters has been calculated for every coastal segment, which reveals the overall coastal vulnerability. A coastal zone management action plan has been prepared to mark the coastal segments requiring higher priority for coastal protection viz.: Harnai-Paj Pandhari beach (No Development Zone under CRZ-IIIA), Murud village, Dabhol (Vashishti River mouth), etc. Ecologically sensitive areas viz. turtle nesting grounds, mangrove swamps, etc. have also been analyzed. The coastal vulnerability map is useful in decision-making for disaster management and integrated coastal zone management.

Keywords: Erosion; PCVI; SCVI; CCVI; GIS