5.3 Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM)



The ICMAM programme implemented from 1998-99 onwards, has 2 major components namely, 1) Capacity Building and 2) Development of Infrastructure for R&D and training. The Capacity Building component funded by the International Development Association containing the activities of Development of GIS based information system for critical habitats, Determination of Waste Assimilation Capacity in selected estuaries and coastal waters. Development of guidelines to conduct EIA for coast related activities and Development of Model ICMAM Plan for selected areas.

Under the infrastructure component, which is funded by the DOD, provision of facilities for imparting training to coastal states on ICMAM related activities and R&D activities on zonation of coastal waters using the methods of use classification etc., are being undertaken. The progress made during the year under each activity is given below:

Development of GIS based Information System for Critical Habitats

The main aim of this activity is to develop an information system using Geographic Information System (GIS) for 11 critical habitats namely, Gulf of Kachchh, Gulf of Khambat, Malvan, Kadamat, Karwar islands, Cochin islands, Gulf of Mannar, Pitchavaram, Coringa, Gahirmatha and Sunderbans. The tasks involved in the development of such an information system are as follows:

Review of data on the habitats available with various institutions.

Preparation of methodology manual and conducting a workshop on methodology.

Field data collection on physico-chemical and biological parameters for eleven sites by eleven institutions.

Creation of GIS database using remotely sensed data and other conventional data.

Designing of a GIS module and integration of database

Development of Management plans using GIS for 3 habitats, each representing an island marine ecosystem, a coral reef and a mangrove.

After collection of field data and development of database, a GIS based information system for Pitchavaram mangrove, namely Critical Habitat Information System (CHIS) has been completed and a Compact Disc has been produced and released. Use of GIS in the CHIS helped detection of the areas of degradation of mangrove and areas of recovery. The CHIS for Kadmat Island of Lakshadweep, 7 islands off Karwar and 21 islands of Gulf of Mannar are nearing completion. Development of GIS for the other 7 habitats is in advanced stages and will be completed by the end of the year.



Determination of Waste Assimilation Capacity

Waste Assimilation Capacity and Waste Load Allocation at Tapi estuary are being determined using the services of a Consultant. A similar exercise at Ennore (Chennai) is being undertaken by NIOT with the advice and guidance from the Consultant. The major tasks involved under this activity are as follows:

Review of available data on sources of pollution in the project area and status of marine pollution.

Establishment of desirable water use and water quality criteria.

Collection of primary data relating to water quality, hydrodynamics, topography, discharge and obstruction characteristics after establishing water quality control/assurance procedures.

Selection of a suitable model for hydrodynamics and water quality, model calibration and validation using the primary data.

Development of an ecological model to study the impact of water quality changes with bio-diversity.

Simulation of the models for different alternatives and discharges considering techno-economic feasibility of treatment, recycle/reuse and discharge options for both point and non-point sources.

Delineation of cost effective waste load allocation option in consultation with the user.

A work plan containing the details of work to be done, schedules, etc., for determination of waste assimilation capacity for Tapi estuary has been prepared. Out of the 2 field exercises required for collection of data for modeling, one has been completed. Regarding the Ennore coastal waters and creek, NIOT has completed all the field exercises. The Consultant and NIOT have chosen the type of models required for modelling. While the Consultant will be using their own software for modelling, NIOT will be using MIKE 21 for this purpose. The modelling exercises have been initiated for both the areas.

Development of Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment

Guidelines are being developed for conducting Environmental Impact Assessment studies in the Ports and Harbours and Marine transportation sectors, tourism related activities in the coastal marine areas, waste disposal from domestic and industrial sources including discharge of waste through pipelines, etc. The tasks involved are:

Review of Environmental Impact Assessment reports available for the above sectors and identifying the gaps.

Development of draft EIA guidelines for all these sectors.

Peer review of draft EIA guidelines at the National and International level through workshops.

Case studies to test the guidelines.

Development of guidelines and their familiarisation to the users through training/seminars.

The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has completed the task of development of EIA guidelines for ports and harbours and development of guidelines for other sectors is under progress.

Development of Model ICMAM Plan for Chennai, Goa and Gulf of Kachchh

A Consultant and IIT, Chennai have been selected as consultants to develop the model ICMAM Plan for Chennai and the Consultant is advising the ICMAM-Project Directorate for a similar exercise on Goa and Gulf of Kachchh. The tasks involved are as follows:

Discussion with the users about the present activities and the planned activities for the future.

Preparation of a coastal profile containing the key issues and problems.

Analysis of problems and adequacy of existing management solutions to address the problems.

Development of integrated management solutions where needed.

Development of Decision Support System for each area which acts as an input-output model enabling the user to choose various integrated management options to address the present problems and also the impact arising due to the future activities.

Development of Model ICMAM Plans and finalisation with inputs from the users.

During the year, workshops to identify the key issues and problems for all the 3 ICMAM Plan areas have been conducted and the key issues such as degradation of habitats, pollution, erosion/accretion have been identified for Chennai. Similarly for Gulf of Kachchh, threat of oil pollution, habitat modification etc., have been identified as key issues. Mining appears to be the key issue for the environment in Goa. These issues are being further analysed with the help of a field programme, launched from January 2001. A design for Decision Support System (DSS) has been finalised for Chennai and Goa and the same is being developed for Gulf of Kachchh.