The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently unveiled the draft Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). This proposed framework is designed to guide the evaluation of future infrastructure projects located along the coastline. The ESMF is part of a World Bank-funded scheme that aims to improve coastal resource efficiency and resilience. It provides guidelines for coastal States on how to approve and regulate projects in coastal areas.
Understanding the Draft Environmental and Social Management Framework
Developed as a support mechanism for a project proposal titled “Enhancing climate resilience of India’s coastal communities,” the ESMF seeks to promote the resilience of vulnerable populations living in India’s coastal regions, particularly women. The plan will work at national, state, and community levels to improve capacity for ecosystem and community-based adaptation strategies.
About the Society of Integrated Coastal Management
The Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) operates under the aegis of the MoEFCC. It envisions a vibrant, healthy, and resilient coastal and marine environment that continually and increasingly benefits the country and its coastal communities. SICOM is India’s national project management unit responsible for strategic planning, management, execution, and monitoring of the ICZMP-Phase-I.
What is the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan?
The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan is a process that manages the coast using an integrated approach, taking into account all aspects of the coastal zone including geographical and political boundaries. Formulated during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the specifics of ICZM are laid out in the proceedings of the summit within Agenda 21.
About the Implementation of the Plan
The plan, which is assisted by the World Bank, is being implemented by the Department of Forests and Environment with help from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, provides scientific and technical inputs.
Objectives of the Plan
The ICZM plan aims to formulate a plan for the State that helps decrease coastal erosion, reduce vulnerability to disasters, conserve biodiversity, provide livelihood security, manage environmental quality, and conserve and improve cultural/archaeological assets.
| Objectives | Description |
|---|---|
| Decrease Coastal Erosion | Develop measures to minimize the impact of environmental factors on the coastline. |
| Reduce Vulnerability to Disasters | Implement strategies to reduce the potential for environmental disasters along the coastline. |
| Conserve Biodiversity | Preserve the varied plant and animal life in coastal regions. |
| Provide Livelihood Security | Ensure sustainable work opportunities for people living in coastal areas. |
| Manage Environmental Quality | Monitor and regulate the health of the coastal environment. |
| Improve and Conserve Cultural/Archaeological Assets | Protect and enhance cultural and archaeological entities in the coastal areas. |
Components of the Plan
SICOM is in charge of implementing the project at both the national and state level. The ICZM plan consists of four main components, including the National Coastal Zone Management Programme and the ICZM plans for West Bengal, Orissa, and Gujarat.
The National component involves mapping and delineating hazard lines and coastal sediment cells along the mainland coast of India. The ICZM initiatives in Gujarat, Orissa, and West Bengal bolster capacity building for state-level agencies and institutions. This includes developing an ICZM plan for the coastal sediment cell, conducting regional coastal process studies, and making pilot investments.