Konkan Coast

Sea-level rise & Land Degradation

There are several projections of sea-level rise along the entire Maharashtra coastline leading up to 2030. Recent assessment by SCF using RS-GIS data over last 30 years (1990 and 2021) has helped to identify the critical impacts of coastal inundation along Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Konkan region.

The SCF study further aims to understand these impacts in detail, identify vulnerable areas and develop a position paper that will aid Government of Maharashtra to develop coastal restoration policy.

Case studies

Thane Creek
Thane Creek
Dharamtar-Karanja Creek
Dharamtar-Karanja Creek
Devghar Beach
Devghar Beach

Preliminary Results

Thane Creek

Approximately 22 sq. km of surface water area is being replaced along Thane creek by habitats such as mangrove, mudflats, infrastructure development etc. Creek is being narrowed down as a result of accumulation of sediment and land reclamation resulting in shallowing of thane creek.

Indicative results suggest strong declining trend (R^2= 0.9) in Thane creek
Mangrove area is indicating increasing trend (R2= 0.86) with almost 27 Sq. Km. are increased in last 30 years.
Agricultural and fallow land along the western bank of Thane creek was declined by almost 20 Sq. Km.
Infrastructure development and encroachment (Impervious substrate) have increased by almost 20 Sq. Km.
Mudflat/ tidal flats have on an average shifted by 250 m from its original position

Preliminary Results

Dharamtar-Karanja Creek

Salt water intrusion in agricultural (paddy fields) landscape lead to emergence of mangroves in Karanja-Dharamtar area near Uran-Alibag.

This intrusion of saline water led to increase in mangroves and allied habitat by 2.5 times forming an intricate networks of creek-lets across 61.96 sq. km area on cultivable area

Mangrove area doubled (40.61 Sq. Km. increased) in this creek since 1990 with steady trend (R^2 = 0.97)
Saline water intrusion has resulted in increasing salinity of the area creating favorable habitats for mangroves.

Media Coverage

2021

Tarun Bharat (Marathi) cont. — Tarun Bharat (Marathi)

Preliminary Results

Devghar Beach, Raigad

The study site is located at 17.986967° 73.034693° at the mouth of Bankot Creek in the Raigad district. The Beach is around 1.5 Km in length.

Erosion of the beach started to take place after 2005, especially in 2010 large area was eroded
Between 2005-2013 a creeklet and mangrove patch towards the sea got destroyed resulting in the loss of 20 ha of mangrove habitat.
Est. Total loss of ~ 55 ha of coastal habitats was noticed between 1990 and 2021 which includes mangrove, creek lets, mudflats, and sandy shores and Casuarina plantation.
~ 300 m shore was submerged
As per locals no mangroves or Casuarina were able to withstand this erosion process and recently in July 2022 shore has undergone erosion once again.