Jose, Alfred Thomas

Coastal areas have become more prone and vulnerable due to natural occurrences and human interferences.The study emphasizes the shoreline analysis of long term changes of shoreline in Chellanam Coastal Village area. Five Landsat images covering the Chellanam Coastal area examined the shoreline changes and identified the accretion and erosion of coastline. Digital Shoreline Analysis System were used to find out shoreline changes. Remote sensing methods of satellite imagery analysis and GIS based mapping for examining the coastal attributes. The Statistical methods of End Point Rate, Linear Regression Rate and Net Shoreline Movement were applied for the Chellanam Shoreline change rate. This paper envisages GIS based resources maps of Chellanam Village in the Ernakulam District of Kerala, India. This paper analysis measurement of transects, performs rate calculations and pointed out the uncertainties associated with rate of change. This paper examined the complete exploration of shoreline change analysis of Chellanam Coast. The resulted outcome of all calculations summaries explores the nature of shoreline changes and the relevance for sustainable coastal management. The significant impact was lost houses and property damages and another huge negative impact is the reduction in the quality of life in the coastal communities and lack of their livelihood. Based on the outcome of this study pave way for significance of understanding the evolution of shoreline changes and the pivotal role to ensure sustainable coastal management strategies and also for the disaster risk reduction management. The best method to safeguard the coast is through natural methods. The establishment of coastal green belts must take into account both the socioeconomic stability of coastal communities and ecological stability in addition to minimizing other natural dangers and preventing coastal erosion.

Keywords: Coastal erosion, Shoreline changes, Digital Shoreline Analysis System, Fishing Community

Chellanam is Kerala’s one of the worst affected fishing village due to coastal erosion. The study identified the challenges and the impact of coastal erosion in the coastal communities in Chellanam. This project examined the reviews on the concept of sustainable coastal management and the major reason for coastal erosion in Chellanam. The risk of coastal erosion on the coastal community and the sustainable measures taken to protect Chellanam are assessed with the study on coastal vulnerability. Secondary and primary data were used for data collection and explained the relationship between risk perception and other independent variables that represents the vulnerability of coastal people. The study examined the livelihood opportunities of coastal communities in Chellanam, which is constantly threatened by sea erosion and flooding which in turn adversely affect the livelihoods of the people. The study examined the major livelihood problems and the existing alternative livelihood practices of the fisher community. The study suggested that the government should provide sustainable livelihoods which enable them to earn a stable income and train them for other skilled jobs. The increasing intensity and frequency of coastal erosion make clear the need for a public-private partnership to implement innovative ideas for good governance and disaster risk reduction management and the necessity for proactive planning to evolve the sustainable management for coastal protection.
Keywords: Coastal erosion, shoreline changes, coastal vulnerability, risk assessment, sustainable measures. Livelihood activities, fishermen community.