Coastal regions around the world are facing a looming threat known as ‘coastal squeeze’, a phenomenon that is causing severe implications for both human settlements and delicate ecosystems. And this has become a coastal threat. Coastal squeeze occurs when coastal development, such as urbanisation and infrastructure projects, encroaches on the natural shoreline, leaving limited space for coastal habitats to adapt and migrate with rising sea levels.

As per a World Meteorological Report, this process is now happening at twice the rate at which it was happening in 1993. As a result, communities and ecosystems find themselves trapped between the advancing sea and the built environment, leading to a range of significant challenges. 

What Is Coastal Squeeze?

As the global temperatures rise due to climate change, our oceans also begin to get warmer. Now when water gets heated it starts expanding whilst becoming less dense. This causes the water levels in the oceans to rise and acts as a coastal threat. In fact, as per NASA, almost half of the global sea-level rise is due to the thermal expansion of water.

This causes the oceans to expand farther inland beyond the existing shoreline, engulfing more of the coast within it. This phenomenon is known as coastal squeeze. And within the shoreline, a more accurate way to measure the rising sea-levels is the ‘low-water mark’, which is the lowest level where the water meets with the coast during low-tides.

The Impact Of Coastal Squeeze on Coastal Species?

As the coastlines recede, humans push back. We build various structures like sea walls in order to limit the seawater from entering further inland. These sea walls are built with the objective of pushing back the point where the water meets with the land during high tides, which is known as ‘high-water mark’. As a result of such anthropogenic activities, the habitats of intertidal species are under coastal threat. 

What Are Intertidal Species?

The region where the ocean meets with the land in between the low-water and high-water marks is known as the ‘intertidal zone’. And the species that are habituated within these zones are called ‘intertidal species’. Sea star, hermit crabs, snails, oysters, and urchins are a few examples of these species which have adapted to the extreme wet and dry conditions of the intertidal zones.

As we continue building structures to counter the sea-level rise, the coastal threat is forcing these intertidal species find themselves at a loss of habitats.

There Is A Solution

An organisation named “Artecologyâ€_x009d_ has come up with artificial habitats for these species which they call “Vertipoolâ€_x009d_ which is a vertical rock pool. These are artificial rock pools made up of concrete which can be attached to man-made structures like seawalls and groynes. These are then populated by the local species making for a flourishing ecosystem for the region. As per a study published in the Frontiers, such artificial structures are significantly improving the richness in species as compared to simply leaving the seawalls be.

India’s ordeal with Coastal Squeeze?

India’s coastlines — experiencing the impacts of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and disasters such as cyclones and storms — are at the frontline of facing the brunt of climate change. According to the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), India lost 32 per cent of its coastlines to erosion in between 1990 and 2018, the maximum of it being in West Bengal which lost 60 per cent of its coastline. On the other hand, India also expanded its coastline by 27 per cent within that time frame, with Odisha’s coastline expanding by 51 per cent.

Coastal communities face heightened risks from storm surges and flooding, while vulnerable ecosystems struggle to adapt to changing conditions. With limited space to retreat or migrate inland, these areas become increasingly vulnerable to erosion and habitat loss. In addition to the immediate risks faced by coastal communities, coastal squeeze also poses long-term challenges. As natural buffers like beaches and dunes disappear, the impact of storms and high tides becomes more severe.

How Is India Fighting The Coastal Threat?

In order to combat the pressing coastal threat, the Indian government has launched a series of initiatives, including the establishment of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management for the management of coastal and marine areas, safeguarding the traditional coastal and island communities.

Further, the 'Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan’ provides a holistic plan that prioritises the management of the coast through an integrated framework that encompasses not only geographical considerations but also political boundaries, ensuring a harmonious and collaborative approach to coastal preservation.

To regulate human activities within the coastal regions of India, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, under the aegis of the Environmental Protection Act of 1986, issued the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification in 1991. It serves as a crucial guideline to govern and control development activities in these vulnerable areas.

By adopting a human-centric approach that seeks to empower local communities, integrate diverse perspectives, and harmonise ecological preservation with sustainable development, India is upholding the delicate balance between human progress and the preservation of our shared coastal heritage. And is making policies to combat coastal threat.