integrated coastal zone management project west ... - Iczmpwb.org

157 No reduction in the number tourists visiting Digha-Sankarpur areas143. Positive response in any or all of the above indictors will point towards success andsustainability of the ICMZP. To evaluate the above achievements, a detailed program onmonitoring of key indicators and evaluation of the monitoring results has been includedunder Section V. The data will be used to see compliance of the enumerated indicators.C. Project’s Guiding Principles and Key Design Features144. In order to realize the laid down objectives, the main conceived guiding principlesare as follows: Recognition and acknowledgment of cross-sectoral issues: Many of the coastalmanagement problems that require attention have inter-related and inter-dependentissues. Fresh ground water extraction from coastal aquifers may induce salt wateringress in the subsurface affecting sustainability of fresh water supply. Conservationof bio-diversity may lead to severe restrictions on livelihood option to resourcedependent population. Disturbing the course of sediment transport by long shorecurrent through construction of break waters for a coastal port may lead to beacherosion in a nearby coastal resort on the down drift side. The adverse impactsproduced by a well meaning conservation or developmental intervention need to berecognized, addressed and solved. Developmental/livelihood activities mustincorporate the required environmental protection measures. Protecting ecosystem for sustainable livelihood generation: The entire coastalpopulation of West Bengal, more so the Sundarban, depends on goods and servicesderived from the biologically productive ecosystem for their livelihood. Honey andwax collection, coastal fishery, eco-tourism are some of the examples of livelihoodgenerated from coastal ecosystem. However, such ecosystems are intrinsicallyfounded on a narrow base of biodiversity. Any stress on the ecosystem be it increasein salinity or sea level rise or pollution or over exploitation for example may threatenthe ecosystem by eroding biodiversity base. All livelihood options adopted shouldrespect this biological supply limit of the ecosystem. Ensuring habitat protection for sustaining bio-diversity: Natural disaster andanthropogenic interventions may destroy physical nature of the habitat that sustainsbiodiversity. Biodiversity conservation at a landscape level is the approach to beadopted. Respecting the rights of coastal communities over coastal resources: Peopleliving in coastal areas including those living in buffer zone of Sundarban would