coastal zone development

BACKGROUND
Coastal zones and coastal communities worldwide are under an overwhelming pressure from the present population and development and increased exploitation of non‐renewable resources (e.g. natural buffers like Mangrove forests) which is adversely depleting the functions and values of coastal areas. As a result, sustainable coastal community development and ecosystem management have become an integral part of coastal zone management programs/projects in local development plans for coastal states or districts in many parts of the world.