Coastal resources, ecosystem services and disaster risk reduction: An analysis of social and environmental vulnerability along the coast of India

This document discusses disaster risk reduction measures in coastal areas of India and analyses three cases in Kerala, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. While there are several approaches to managing the coastal resources, the paper argues they have failed to create a balance between development, coastal degradation and disaster risk reduction.

This paper concludes that disaster risk reduction measures, specifically structural mitigation strategies, should take into account the ecosystem and livelihood related linkages. In addition, there is an urgent need to recognise that risk reduction should be factored in all development projects planned along the coast. The author calls for an inclusive disaster risk reduction framework, which increases the resilience of both vulnerable coastal population and ecosystems in dealing with hazards through enhanced partnerships and cross-fertilization.

This document is an input paper of the 2015 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.