Among all the world’s coastlines, those stretching across central and southern India are among the most vulnerable to erosion.

In the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, a program funded by the World Bank aims to create 100,000 jobs that will help protect these sensitive and biodiverse areas for the posterity of fishermen, urbanites, and animals alike.

It’s estimated that 250 million people depend on coastal areas for their homes and livelihoods in sectors like fisheries, transport, and tourism. The 6,200-miles of lower Indian coastline also provide habitats for 18,000 known species of flora and fauna, from environmentally protective mangroves to charismatic animals like the dugong.

However, marine ecosystems are at risk by the combined effect of coastal erosion, pollution, intensive fi

See Full Page