ADB OKs support to strengthen coastal protection in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $42 million loan to provide coastal and riverbank protection to increase resilience of local communities and natural ecosystems in the state of Maharashtra, India. 

The Maharashtra Sustainable Climate-Resilient Coastal Protection and Management Project will establish coastal erosion and riverbank protection solutions such as offshore reefs, sheet piles, beach nourishment, and vegetation planting to restore and stabilize the coastline. 

“The project will demonstrate the benefits of adopting new engineering hybrid approaches such as offshore reefs construction and rock protection works, as well as soft nature-based solutions such as beach and dune nourishment,” said ADB Water Resources Specialist Marie L’Hostis. 

“The project responds to Maharashtra’s climate adaptation needs as outlined in the state’s Shoreline Management Plan and address climate change threats as shown by increasing rates of sea-level rise and coastal erosion though flexible nature-based and hybrid solutions, which can adapt to different climate scenarios,” added ADB Senior Climate Change Specialist (Coastal Adaptation) Alessio Giardino.

ADB will help build the capacity of the Maharashtra Maritime Board in shore management planning, including the establishment of a coastal infrastructure management unit.

The project is set to support capacity building of stakeholders on gender equality and social inclusion, coastal management, and livelihood activities.