A Framework for Shoreline Management Planning: Case Study of Tamil Nadu, India

The 1,076 km Tamil Nadu coast of India is highly vulnerable to erosion, sea-level rise, and cyclonic disturbances. Despite its ecological and socio-economic importance, there is a lack of integrated shoreline management strategies that combine physical, social, and governance perspectives. This study develops a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) framework that addresses these gaps and provides a model for sustainable coastal governance. Multi-decadal shoreline change (1990–2024) was quantified using satellite imagery and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS), supported by met-ocean analysis of wave climate and tidal dynamics and geomorphological assessments to understand sediment transport and coastal processes. Sediment cell delineation produced 54 functional planning units, while field validation included RTK-GPS beach profiling, sediment sampling, and inspection of protection structures. Socio-economic analysis and structured stakeholder consultations with fisherfolk, local communities, and government agencies identified livelihood priorities and intervention preferences. Results show that 39% of the shoreline is eroding, 20% is accreting, and 41% is stable, with severe hotspots in Mayiladuthurai, Chengalpattu, Kanniyakumari, and Villupuram. Sediment cell analysis highlighted spatial variability in erosion–accretion patterns and guided the identification of appropriate intervention typologies. Met-ocean assessments confirmed seasonal wave climate and tidal forcing as key drivers of shoreline dynamics, while socio-economic analysis demonstrated compounded vulnerabilities in fishing-dependent districts such as Chennai, Ramanathapuram, and Thoothukudi. Stakeholder consultations emphasized hybrid measures, cyclone shelters, and fish landing facilities, alongside improved inlet and waste management. By integrating physical processes, sediment cell governance, socio-economic drivers, and community knowledge, the Tamil Nadu SMP establishes a replicable framework for climate-resilient shoreline planning across South Asia.