iswiki

<h1>Coastal Regions of India</h1>
<div class="level1">

<p>
India has a vast coastline of <b>7,516.6 kilometers</b> bordering the Arabian Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east, and the Indian Ocean in the south. The coastal regions are divided into <b>Western Coastal Plains</b> and <b>Eastern Coastal Plains</b>.
</p>

</div>

<h2>Overview</h2>
<div class="level2">

</div>

<h3>Total Coastline</h3>
<div class="level3">

<span class='np_break'> </span>
<div class="table sectionedit1"><table class="inline">
	<thead>
	<tr class="row0">
		<th class="col0"> Region </th><th class="col1"> Length (km) </th><th class="col2"> Bordering Water Body </th>
	</tr>
	</thead>
	<tr class="row1">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Mainland Coast</b> </td><td class="col1"> 6,100 </td><td class="col2"> Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row2">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Island Territories</b> </td><td class="col1"> 1,416.6 </td><td class="col2"> Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row3">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Total Coastline</b> </td><td class="col1"> 7,516.6 </td><td class="col2"> - </td>
	</tr>
</table>
<span class='np_break'> </span>
</div>
</div>

<h3>Coastal States and Union Territories</h3>
<div class="level3">

<p>
<b>Nine Coastal States:</b> Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal
</p>

<p>
<b>Four Coastal UTs:</b> Daman & Diu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
</p>

</div>

<h2>Western Coastal Plains</h2>
<div class="level2">

</div>

<h3>Geographical Features</h3>
<div class="level3">
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Location</b>: Between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Length</b>: Approximately 1,500 km</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Width</b>: 50-80 km (varies)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Orientation</b>: North-South</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Characteristics</b>: Narrow, discontinuous plains</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h3>Subdivisions</h3>
<div class="level3">

<p>
<b>Konkan Coast (Maharashtra and Goa):</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Extent</b>: Damanganga River to Goa</li>
<li class="level1 node"> <b>Features</b>: <ol>
<li class="level2"> Rocky coastline with numerous creeks</li>
<li class="level2"> Rich in coconut palms</li>
<li class="level2"> Heavy monsoon rainfall</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Major ports</b>: Mumbai (natural harbor)</li>
</ul>

<p>
<b>Karnataka Coast (Kanara Coast):</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Extent</b>: Goa to Mangalore</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Length</b>: Approximately 300 km</li>
<li class="level1 node"> <b>Features</b>:<ol>
<li class="level2"> Sandy beaches</li>
<li class="level2"> Lagoons and backwaters</li>
<li class="level2"> Coconut cultivation</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Major ports</b>: New Mangalore</li>
</ul>

<p>
<b>Malabar Coast (Kerala):</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Extent</b>: Karnataka border to Kanyakumari</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Length</b>: 580 km</li>
<li class="level1 node"> <b>Features</b>:<ol>
<li class="level2"> Extensive backwaters and lagoons</li>
<li class="level2"> Coconut groves and spice gardens</li>
<li class="level2"> High rainfall region</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Major ports</b>: Kochi, Kozhikode</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h3>Key Features</h3>
<div class="level3">

<span class='np_break'> </span>
<div class="table sectionedit2"><table class="inline">
	<thead>
	<tr class="row0">
		<th class="col0"> Feature </th><th class="col1"> Description </th><th class="col2"> Examples </th>
	</tr>
	</thead>
	<tr class="row1">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Backwaters</b> </td><td class="col1"> Lagoons connected to sea </td><td class="col2"> Vembanad (Kerala), Ashtamudi </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row2">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Estuaries</b> </td><td class="col1"> River mouths </td><td class="col2"> Mandovi-Zuari (Goa) </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row3">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Natural Harbors</b> </td><td class="col1"> Deep water ports </td><td class="col2"> Mumbai, Kochi </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row4">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Beaches</b> </td><td class="col1"> Sandy and rocky shores </td><td class="col2"> Goa beaches, Kovalam </td>
	</tr>
</table>
<span class='np_break'> </span>
</div>
</div>

<h2>Eastern Coastal Plains</h2>
<div class="level2">

<p>
==== Geographical Features ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Location</b>: Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Length</b>: Approximately 1,100 km</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Width</b>: 100-120 km (wider than western coast)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Orientation</b>: Northeast-Southwest</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Characteristics</b>: Broad, continuous plains</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Subdivisions ####
</p>

<p>
<b>Northern Circar:</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Extent</b>: Chilka Lake to Krishna River</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>States</b>: Odisha, northern Andhra Pradesh</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Features</b>: Deltaic plains, fertile alluvium</li>
</ul>

<p>
<b>Coromandel Coast:</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Extent</b>: Krishna River to Kanyakumari</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>States</b>: Southern Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu</li>
<li class="level1 node"> <b>Features</b>: <ol>
<li class="level2"> Major river deltas</li>
<li class="level2"> Fertile agricultural land</li>
<li class="level2"> Dense population</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Major Deltas ####
</p>

<span class='np_break'> </span>
<div class="table sectionedit3"><table class="inline">
	<thead>
	<tr class="row0">
		<th class="col0"> Delta </th><th class="col1"> River(s) </th><th class="col2"> Area (sq km) </th><th class="col3"> Features </th>
	</tr>
	</thead>
	<tr class="row1">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Mahanadi</b> </td><td class="col1"> Mahanadi </td><td class="col2"> 9,000 </td><td class="col3"> Extensive rice cultivation </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row2">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Godavari</b> </td><td class="col1"> Godavari </td><td class="col2"> 4,177 </td><td class="col3"> Fertile alluvial soil </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row3">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Krishna</b> </td><td class="col1"> Krishna </td><td class="col2"> 8,120 </td><td class="col3"> Major agricultural region </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row4">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Cauvery</b> </td><td class="col1"> Cauvery </td><td class="col2"> 16,000 </td><td class="col3"> Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu </td>
	</tr>
</table>
<span class='np_break'> </span>
</div>
</div>

<h2>Islands</h2>
<div class="level2">

<p>
==== Western Coast Islands ####
</p>

<p>
<b>Lakshadweep:</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Location</b>: Arabian Sea, 200-440 km from Kerala coast</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Total Islands</b>: 36 (10 inhabited)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Formation</b>: Coral atolls</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Capital</b>: Kavaratti</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Features</b>: Lagoons, coral reefs, coconut cultivation</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Eastern Coast Islands ####
</p>

<p>
<b>Andaman and Nicobar Islands:</b>
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Location</b>: Bay of Bengal, 1,200 km from mainland</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Total Islands</b>: 572 (37 inhabited)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Formation</b>: Volcanic origin</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Capital</b>: Port Blair</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Features</b>: Dense forests, tribal population, strategic location</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h2>Major Ports</h2>
<div class="level2">

<p>
==== Western Coast Ports ####
</p>

<span class='np_break'> </span>
<div class="table sectionedit4"><table class="inline">
	<thead>
	<tr class="row0">
		<th class="col0"> Port </th><th class="col1"> State </th><td class="col2"> Type </td><th class="col3"> Significance </th>
	</tr>
	</thead>
	<tr class="row1">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Mumbai</b> </td><td class="col1"> Maharashtra </td><td class="col2"> Natural </td><td class="col3"> Financial capital, largest port </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row2">
		<td class="col0"> <b>JNPT (Nhava Sheva)</b> </td><td class="col1"> Maharashtra </td><td class="col2"> Artificial </td><td class="col3"> Container traffic </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row3">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Kandla</b> </td><td class="col1"> Gujarat </td><td class="col2"> Artificial </td><td class="col3"> Tidal port </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row4">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Mormugao</b> </td><td class="col1"> Goa </td><td class="col2"> Natural </td><td class="col3"> Iron ore export </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row5">
		<td class="col0"> <b>New Mangalore</b> </td><td class="col1"> Karnataka </td><td class="col2"> Artificial </td><td class="col3"> Iron ore, petroleum </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row6">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Kochi</b> </td><td class="col1"> Kerala </td><td class="col2"> Natural </td><td class="col3"> Spices, marine products </td>
	</tr>
</table>
<span class='np_break'> </span>
</div>
<p>
==== Eastern Coast Ports ####
</p>

<span class='np_break'> </span>
<div class="table sectionedit5"><table class="inline">
	<thead>
	<tr class="row0">
		<th class="col0"> Port </th><th class="col1"> State </th><th class="col2"> Type </th><th class="col3"> Significance </th>
	</tr>
	</thead>
	<tr class="row1">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Kolkata-Haldia</b> </td><td class="col1"> West Bengal </td><td class="col2"> River/Artificial </td><td class="col3"> Jute, engineering goods </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row2">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Paradip</b> </td><td class="col1"> Odisha </td><td class="col2"> Artificial </td><td class="col3"> Iron ore export </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row3">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Visakhapatnam</b> </td><td class="col1"> Andhra Pradesh </td><td class="col2"> Natural </td><td class="col3"> Iron ore, steel </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row4">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Chennai</b> </td><td class="col1"> Tamil Nadu </td><td class="col2"> Artificial </td><td class="col3"> Automobile export </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row5">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Ennore</b> </td><td class="col1"> Tamil Nadu </td><td class="col2"> Artificial </td><td class="col3"> Coal import </td>
	</tr>
	<tr class="row6">
		<td class="col0"> <b>Tuticorin</b> </td><td class="col1"> Tamil Nadu </td><td class="col2"> Artificial </td><td class="col3"> Salt, chemicals </td>
	</tr>
</table>
<span class='np_break'> </span>
</div>
</div>

<h2>Economic Activities</h2>
<div class="level2">

<p>
==== Fishing Industry ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Marine fisheries</b>: Major source of protein and livelihood</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Fish production</b>: 14.16 million tonnes (2019-20)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Major fishing states</b>: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Types</b>: Mechanized, artisanal, aquaculture</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Salt Production ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Total production</b>: 240 lakh tonnes (2019-20)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Major producing states</b>: Gujarat (75%), Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Method</b>: Solar evaporation of seawater</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Export</b>: Significant export potential</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Tourism ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Beach tourism</b>: Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Cultural tourism</b>: Temples, heritage sites</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Adventure tourism</b>: Water sports, island tourism</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Eco-tourism</b>: Backwaters, coral reefs</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Shipping and Trade ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Cargo handling</b>: 1,381 million tonnes (2019-20)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Container traffic</b>: Growing significantly</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Petroleum imports</b>: Major commodity</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Iron ore exports</b>: Traditional export item</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h2>Coastal Ecosystems</h2>
<div class="level2">

<p>
==== Mangroves ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Total area</b>: 4,975 sq km</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Major locations</b>: Sundarbans (West Bengal), Godavari-Krishna delta</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Functions</b>: Storm protection, fish breeding, carbon sequestration</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Threats</b>: Aquaculture expansion, urban development</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Coral Reefs ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Locations</b>: Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, Gulf of Mannar</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Types</b>: Fringing reefs, barrier reefs, atolls</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Biodiversity</b>: High marine biodiversity</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Threats</b>: Bleaching, pollution, climate change</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Beaches ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Types</b>: Sandy, rocky, muddy shores</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Formation</b>: Wave action, river sediments</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Economic value</b>: Tourism, recreation</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Conservation</b>: Sea turtle nesting, coastal protection</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h2>Environmental Challenges</h2>
<div class="level2">

<p>
==== Coastal Erosion ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Causes</b>: Sea level rise, human activities, natural processes</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Affected areas</b>: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha coasts</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Impacts</b>: Land loss, infrastructure damage</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Solutions</b>: Sea walls, beach nourishment, mangrove restoration</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Pollution ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Sources</b>: Industrial discharge, urban sewage, plastic waste</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Types</b>: Chemical, biological, physical pollution</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Impacts</b>: Marine ecosystem degradation, public health</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Control measures</b>: Pollution control laws, waste management</li>
</ul>

<p>
==== Climate Change ####
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Sea level rise</b>: Coastal flooding, saltwater intrusion</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Temperature changes</b>: Coral bleaching, fish migration</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Extreme weather</b>: Cyclones, storm surges</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Adaptation</b>: Early warning systems, coastal planning</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h2>UPSC Relevance</h2>
<div class="level2">
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>Paper</b>: General Studies Paper I (Geography) and Paper III (Environment)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>Topics</b>: Coastal geography, ports, marine resources, environmental issues</li>
<li class="level1 node"> <b>Previous Year Questions</b>:<ol>
<li class="level2"> Compare eastern and western coastal plains (2021)</li>
<li class="level2"> Coastal erosion and management (2020)</li>
<li class="level2"> Port development and blue economy (2019)</li>
<li class="level2"> Coral reef conservation (2018)</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h2>Memory Techniques</h2>
<div class="level2">

<p>
<b>Western Coast Plains</b>: <b>K</b>onkan <b>K</b>anara <b>M</b>alabar
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>K</b> - Konkan (Maharashtra-Goa)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>K</b> - Kanara/Karnataka Coast</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>M</b> - Malabar (Kerala)</li>
</ul>

<p>
<b>Eastern Coast Plains</b>: <b>N</b>orthern <b>C</b>oromandel
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>N</b> - Northern Circar (Odisha-North AP)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>C</b> - Coromandel (South AP-Tamil Nadu)</li>
</ul>

<p>
<b>Major Deltas (North to South)</b>: <b>M</b>ahanadi <b>G</b>odavari <b>K</b>rishna <b>C</b>auvery
</p>
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <b>M</b> - Mahanadi (Odisha)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>G</b> - Godavari (AP)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>K</b> - Krishna (AP)</li>
<li class="level1"> <b>C</b> - Cauvery (Tamil Nadu)</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h2>Related Topics</h2>
<div class="level2">
<ul>
<li class="level1"> <a href="/doku.php?id=indian_geography:cyclones" class="wikilink1" title="indian_geography:cyclones" data-wiki-id="indian_geography:cyclones">Cyclones affecting coastal regions</a></li>
<li class="level1"> <a href="/doku.php?id=indian_geography:deccan_plateau" class="wikilink1" title="indian_geography:deccan_plateau" data-wiki-id="indian_geography:deccan_plateau">Peninsular rivers and deltas</a></li>
<li class="level1"> <a href="/doku.php?id=indian_geography:mountain_ranges" class="wikilink1" title="indian_geography:mountain_ranges" data-wiki-id="indian_geography:mountain_ranges">Ghats influencing coastal climate</a></li>
</ul>

<p>
← <a href="/doku.php?id=indian_geography:start" class="wikilink1" title="indian_geography:start" data-wiki-id="indian_geography:start">Back to Indian Geography</a> | <a href="/doku.php?id=indian_geography:start" class="wikilink1" title="indian_geography:start" data-wiki-id="indian_geography:start">Home</a>
</p>
<hr />

<p>
<em>Sources: NCERT Class 11 Geography, Indian Coast Guard, Ministry of Earth Sciences</em>
</p>

</div>

Enable Complex Tables Editor Height px Turn supplementary image paste support on

Edit summary: Minor changes