India : Maharashtra Sustainable Climate-Resilient Coastal Protection and Management Project

Project Name

Maharashtra Sustainable Climate-Resilient Coastal Protection and Management Project

Project Number

55252-001

Country / Economy

• India

Project Status

Proposed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Loan

Source of Funding / Amount

Loan: Maharashtra Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Project

Source	Amount
Ordinary capital resources	US$ 42.00 million

Operational Priorities

• OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
• OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
• OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
• OP5: Promoting rural development and food security
• OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity

Sector / Subsector

• Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Water-based natural resources management

Gender

Effective gender mainstreaming

Description

Maharashtra is increasingly experiencing climate-related events. Its coastline is characterized by stable rocky cliffs and unstable sandy beaches, estuarine areas, and mangrove forests. The state's narrow coastal plain, which is situated between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, also supports other economic activities such as marine transportation, fishing, agriculture, cultural and recreational tourism. In Maharashtra, coastal erosion is resulting in loss of land for communities affecting livelihoods, and flooding inundation is impacting vulnerable coastal communities, by damaging public and private infrastructure and risking lives particularly among women. The primary natural factors responsible for coastal erosion are (i) change in wave extremes due to increase in frequency and magnitude of extreme events, (ii) changes in river hydrology and sand supply near the estuarine areas, and (iii) disruption in natural littoral sediment transport. In recent years, climate change effects such as sea-level rise, altered frequency, intensity, and track of tropical cyclones have exacerbated the erosion. Human activities and infrastructures along the shoreline, such as wharfs and groynes, harbor jetties and beach mining hinder sediment transport in the littoral zone. Target beneficiaries will be the coastal communities living within the coastal zone.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

India's coastline is about 7,525 kilometers (km) in length, and about 171 million people live within its 70 coastal districts across 9 states. Since 1990, about one-third of India's coastlines have suffered from significant erosion, impacting lives, livelihoods, communities, food security and trade. Maharashtra is one of most vulnerable states to coastal erosion, along with Kerala and Karnataka. Climate change is projected to increasingly threaten India's coastline with higher sea levels, unpredictable precipitation, and frequent storms.

Maharashtra's coastline is about 740 km and has 28.62 million people living within its coastal districts of Thane, Mumbai, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. The state has the highest contribution to India's gross domestic product (14.2%). It relies heavily on its coastal advantage to drive its economy. About 20% of India's annual trade passes through Mumbai's two main ports. Maharashtra has the fourth-largest rural and the poor population in India. An ADB study in 2021 found that about 28% of the coastal, rural population still live below the poverty line. Maharashtra has experienced the significant adverse impact from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic among India's states, with high death tolls and badly impacted employment in rural and urban Maharashtra. Rural poor communities as well as urban areas, are affected by coastal erosion and issues relating to poor coastal management.

Impact

State resilience to disasters and climate change enhanced.

Outcome

Climate resilience of coastal communities and natural ecosystems in project areas increased

Outputs

Climate-resilient coastal erosion protection measures implemented.

Capacity of stakeholders in GESI, coastal management, and livelihood improvement support strengthened.

Geographical Location

Maharashtra

Safeguard Categories

Environment

B

Involuntary Resettlement

C

Indigenous Peoples

B

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Proposed civil works and soft interventions (rejuvenation, planting work) will be conducted on government land including offshore, along shoreline, riverbed, backshore, and dunes. The EA social due diligence confirms no private land acquisition is required, and no resettlement impacts are anticipated.

Indigenous Peoples

There are no indigenous people or ethnic minority groups in the sub-project areas; the project anticipates no impacts.

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

Primary beneficiaries are coastal communities in the project area, including fishing households, and owners, operators and employees of fishing boats, factories, hotels and tourism related businesses. Civil society organizations, fish cooperatives, fishing and allied groups, government departments and consumers are also main stakeholders to be targeted. Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is the project executing agency (EA); other departments will support the beneficiaries and implementing agencies.

During Project Implementation

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

Procurement activities will be carried out following ADB's Procurement Policy: Goods, Works, Non-consulting, and Consulting Services (2017, as amended from time to time) and Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers (2017, as amended from time to time).

Procurement

Procurement activities will be carried out following ADB's Procurement Policy: Goods, Works, Non-consulting, and Consulting Services (2017, as amended from time to time) and Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers (2017, as amended from time to time).

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

L'Hostis, Marie

Responsible ADB Department

South Asia Department

Responsible ADB Division

India Resident Mission (INRM)

Executing Agencies

Maharashtra Maritime Board

Timetable

Concept Clearance

17 Oct 2023

Fact Finding

20 Feb 2024 to 11 Mar 2024

MRM

-

Approval

-

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

24 Nov 2023

Funding