Living on the Edge: Landscape development along the Coastline of Visakhapatnam
A.Gayatri Patnaik Guided by Prof. Deepa Maheshwari Co-Guided by Mr.Tapan Modi
Masters of Landscape Design
Abstract
Coastal zones are unique as many natural phenomena like daily tides, mangrove forests, coral reefs, tidal flats, sea beaches, storm waves, and barrier islands are found only on the sea coasts. Because of these features, most nations perceive the seaside zone as a particular locale with assets that require special attention. In all the coastal settlements, the coastal location creates distinctively maritime cultures. The transitional strip of land and sea that straddles the coastline contains some of the most productive and valuable habitats of the biosphere like-estuaries, lagoons, coastal wetlands, and sand dunes. It is a place of great significance to the military, people, commerce, and industries. Coastal zones are exceptionally ingenious and thickly populated, however, in the meantime, they are low lying and henceforth vulnerable to various natural disasters. Beaches are basic landforms along the coastline, which are dynamic in their shape and go through successive changes occurring through seasons. Beaches being dynamic in nature ought to be dealt as a part of the sea, not of land. Issues emerge only when man tries to involve or occupy the temporary beaches consistently.
Natural erosion is exacerbated by man-made interventions such as jetties, seawalls, sand dredging, and groin fields meant to keep flooding and erosion at bay. The beaches along the Indian coast are receding at a rate of two to three feet per year. As a result of the diminishing natural defense, the economy and development face irreparable losses. It is necessary to address the risks to the population and destructive impacts to biological communities.
INRODUCTION TO THE SITE
Figure 1 Location of the Visakhapatnam city
Visakhapatnam city (Latitude 17º42' N, Longitude 83º24' E) is located on the east coast of India almost mid-way between Kolkata in the North (879 kms) and Chennai in the South (762 kms), in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam city is the headquarters of Visakhapatnam district, which extends from the coast of the Bay of Bengal in East – South-east into the Eastern Ghats on West – North-west. Howrah-Chennai broad gauge railway line and NH-5 pass through the city almost parallel to the coastline. The city has an aerodrome and a port. Visakhapatnam is one of the most important economic zones of India. The economic base of Visakhapatnam is Industries and the city has been developing as an industrial town since Independence. It has some of the most important industries of the region like the Port, Hindustan Shipyard, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and the Fishing Industry. Indian Navy has its Eastern Naval Command Base in Visakhapatnam and therefore is very important for the Navy. The most important asset of the city is its natural harbour. Its proximity to Eastern Ghats is its other asset. Visakhapatnam city is perennially under the threat of Cyclones and Tsunami.
PREMISE
Visakhapatnam is a coastal city, which developed on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, on the eastern coast of peninsular India. The Eastern Ghats run parallel to the shore. The area inbetween the Ghats and the coastline, varying between 50 to 100 kms, is considerably flat and is gently sloping towards the sea. Rivers from the Eastern Ghats flow into the Bay of Bengal draining this plain. A large number of hills and rocky outcrops, large and small are found all over this plain covered with forests and vegetation, and being near the coast offer scenic views to infinity towards the horizon. Natural Processes and challenges in existence of Settlement
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Cyclones: The study area has a history of experiencing cyclones and storm surges.
Coastal Erosion and Accretion: The landward displacement of the short line caused by the forces of waves and currents is termed as coastal erosion. Natural forces such as wind, waves and currents are constantly shaping the coastal regions. A regular and cyclic phenomenon like erosion and deposition is prevalent in many parts of Andhra Pradesh Coast. Coastal erosion is one of the major reasons for deterioration of coastal Zones. The AP coast has frequently been affected by Cyclone and inundated by storm surges. The tsunami in 2004 and various cyclones, including Phailin and Hudhud, have drastically changed the beach profiles making them vulnerable to erosion, drowning deaths due to increased slope at the coast, and significant changes in the local wave climate. As per oceanography experts around 9.2 percent of the 973.3 km-coastline in Andhra Pradesh has been facing erosion. •
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Coastal flooding : Due to abnormal high tide in sea or excessive rain and storm water from the rivers destroying farm fields, settlements along with killing people and cattle .
Human induced hazards in the region Like any other fast growing cities trying to increase its economical contribution to this nation, rapid growth in population and insensible haphazard construction and industrialization is polluting the air and the water bodies.
Port Extension and Industrialisation
AIM
The aim of the study is to assess and understand the possible impacts of a natural hazards and human interventions in the coastal edge of the region.
OBJECTIVE • • • • •
Concentrate on the issue of Coastal Erosion and threat to the existence of landuse. Consider the occurrences of Cyclone and Storm surges and probable impact
To enquire into possible adaptive measures which can be followed for sustainable future development Restoration of the degraded Coastal Ecosystem (due to Human activities) Rejuvenation of the degrading Tourism Prospect of the region
SCOPE
The scope of work includes identifying critical areas in the Coastal edge of the region which
will span from Vizag port harbor to Bheemunipatnam. The identification will help select a study area as a prototype and to put possible proposals or guidelines forreducing the degradation caused by human factors and natural disasters. The scope of study may be
limited to giving guidelines for prevention of degradation.The study will also be limited to
determining only the possibilities of a critical area of the Coastal edge rather than detailed design for the whole study region.
METHODOLOGY
STUDY OF NATURAL PROCESSES IN THE REGION Understanding the Physiography, Geomorphology, Soil, Storm surge, Vegetation and their Inter-relationship
STUDY OF HUMAN ACTIVITY IN THE REGION Understanding the Land use, Physical connection, Industries, Tourism and structures like Sea wall and Embankment
UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECT OF CYCLONES, FLOODS, WAVE AND WIND EROSION
UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY AND INTERVENTION
OVERLAYING ALL NATURAL LAYERS WITH RESPECT TO LANDUSE OF THE STUDY REGION
EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT ZONES IN THE REGION FOR THE SUITABILITY OF CONSERVATION, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDY REGION OVERLAPPING SUITABILITY LAYERS TO CREATE AN INTEGRATED LANDUSE PLAN Inferences leading to the preparation of Planning Guidelines and strategies for a sustainable regional development of the region PROPOSALS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Identifying different tourism potential locations of the region Proposals for different conflicts of the sub region Visualisation of the future growth of the tourists spots