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The five countries of the South Asian Region, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, share complex legacy of social, cultural and environmental realities that characterize the historical and geographical identity of the subcontinent. With population explosion in the South Asian region, the coastal environment is constantly being altered by its pressures and demands, inevitably affecting its use by future generations. The development of many coastal ecosystems is presently so intense and so weakly regulated, that major economic investment is likely to be needed for their upkeep or return in the time to come. This book presents diverse case studies from around the South Asia Coastal Zone, the human dimensions and social, physical and biological aspects, and key closely linked topics ranging from biodiversity conservation to hazards and risk management, the impact of climate change vulnerabilities, and other problems increase in total population and the high demand for coastal resources, current lack of governance, and the need to import and export both techniques and expertise, including the importance of protecting more vulnerable coastal sites from natural calamities. This comparative perspective is important in the development of a bigger picture of sustainable coastal zone management processes and cross-regional knowledge-sharing in Southeast Asia. Ultimately this book provides a means to help address and solve the complexity that exists between coastal systems and anthropogenic activities. The book focuses on a key developmental concern and as such will be useful for policy-makers, NGOs, coastal managers, scientists, planners teachers, under graduation students, environmentalists as well as researchers in South Asian studies, history, anthropology, geography, political studies, and environment subjects.

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Coastal zone management: concept and scope. 3. South Asia : coastal environmental issue and management. 4. South Asia : coastal environmental issue and management. 5. South Asia coastal country: a comparative perspective.