Vardhan to inaugurate coastal mgmt centre in Chennai tomorrow

A centre for coastal management, which will scientifically map the vulnerability of coastal environment to climate change and its threats to ecology and livelihoods, will be inaugurated by Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan tomorrow in Chennai.
The Minister said the research done by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) which will be dedicated to the country tomorrow will be used to arrive at policy decisions and for capacity building of coastal communities and other stakeholders.
Harsh Vardhan will inaugurate the new building of the Centre and research infrastructure at Anna University campus in Chennai.
"The focus of the government in coastal states is sustainable livelihood, development of coastal communities through various research and development and policy initiatives," he said here before leaving for Chennai.

Six research divisions have been established at the NCSCM that will combine geospatial sciences with cutting-edge research on conservation, pollution, climate change and community interface - both in mainland and islands of the country, the minister said.
Outlining the objectives behind the establishment of the NCSCM, Harsh Vardhan said the objectives include promoting integrated and sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas in the country for the benefit and well-being of the traditional coastal and island communities.

Strengthening capacity of coastal management at all levels, including stakeholders, advising Union and state governments and other associated stakeholders on policy and scientific matters related to integrated coastal zone management apart from striving to become a world class institution through cutting-edge research are also its objectives.

"The NCSCM, along with other Ministries and state/UT governments will also strive to scientifically map the cumulative vulnerability of coastal environment to climate change and consequent threats to ecology, lives and livelihoods," he said.
It would also develop vulnerability-based environment and adaptive management plans for key sectors by mainstreaming climate sensitivity and readiness into all coastal developmental projects.
This, he said will be done by promoting development taking into account the threats due to natural hazards in the coastal areas and sea-level rise, build resilience of coastal communities (fishermen, agriculturists etc) and develop infrastructure and settlements in urban and rural areas among others.

"R&D and the policy inputs that would be generated here would not only help our country, but would also help all SAARC nations," the Minister said.