The SHORE MPA program will support India’s vision for Integrated Coastal Zone Management while ensuring that the coastal zone's environment, landscapes, and natural values are in harmony with economic development. This will be done through convergence between federal and state governments based on their coastal priorities. Many coastal issues – particularly those related to local adaptation capacity, water resources, and infrastructure management – have regional dimensions, especially given the geographic and economic interconnectedness of coastal States. Under Phase-1 of the SHORE MPA, the coastal States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will be supported through shared learning and developing cost-effective solutions to build resilience to natural disasters and climate change. The project will provide positive environment benefits and will minimize exposure of people and economic assets to potential damage due to the effects of climate, through integrated planning and promotion of community driven nature-based solutions. The PDO will be achieved through four components that focus on: (i) stronger local institutions for integrated management of coastal zones; (ii) resilient shorelines through long-term planning and measures for protection of physical and natural assets and biodiversity conservation; (iii) resilient communities through income diversification, jobs and improved livelihood opportunities, specifically for vulnerable groups including women; and iv) healthier coastal ecosystems through measures for reducing plastic pollution and promoting circularity. The project primarily involves the following four categories of interventions: i) soft nature-based interventions for coastal erosion management, e.g mangrove afforestation, bio shields, sea grass, shelter belts, ecotourism measures such as board walks, blue flag beaches; ii) small scale works that e.g. Turtle and Dugong conservation centres, erosion management in one small island; prevention of ocean bound plastic pollution though establishment of trash barriers, traps and nets, small scale plastic collection/ segregation centres and material recovery facilities; iii) Goods primarily involving procurement e.g. equipment such as boats, water quality monitoring equipment, cameras, drones, etc.; iv) awareness initiatives, such as signages, sensitization programmes through SHGs (Plastic Mitras), festivals, etc., and; v) services involving various consultancies e.g. study on plastic pollution abatement, carbon finance approaches, etc.
(Source: World Bank)