Coastal Vulnerability Report Whole - Jan 2017

Assessment of Policies Managing the Key Economic Drivers
of Vulnerability along Coastal Kerala due to Climate Change
Submitted to
Directorate of Environment & Climate Change
Government of Kerala
December 2015
ACTION ON CLIMATE TODAY
Climate Change Innovation Programme (CCIP) India

Climate Proofing Growth and Development (CPGD) South Asia
Technical Support by the UK Department for International Development (DFID)

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Assessment of Policies Managing the Key Economic Drivers of
Vulnerability along Coastal Kerala due to Climate Change
Reprinted in January 2017
Managed by
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Table of Contents
Abbreviations and Acronyms..................................................................................................... 7

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 9
1. The Kerala Coast and its Vulnerabilities .............................................................................. 11
2. Climate Sensitivity of the Coast ........................................................................................... 13
2.1 Changing trends of Rainfall and Temperature .............................................................. 13
2.2 Sea Level Rise ................................................................................................................. 13
2.3 Increasing Sea Surface Temperature ............................................................................. 14
2.4 Cyclones and Storm surges ............................................................................................ 14
2.5 Climate Change and increasing salinity ......................................................................... 14
3. Climate Change Projections ................................................................................................. 16
4. The Main Economic drivers of the Coastal Kerala ............................................................... 18
4.1 Coastal Fisheries ............................................................................................................ 18
4.2 Agriculture ..................................................................................................................... 19
5. Institutions involved in management of coastal fisheries and rice cultivation systems in
Kerala ....................................................................................................................................... 22
5.2 Rice Cultivation .............................................................................................................. 23
5.3 Coconut .......................................................................................................................... 24
6. Analysing policies governing fisheries and agriculture through a climate change lens ...... 25
6.2 Rice Cultivation .............................................................................................................. 31
6.3 Coconut .......................................................................................................................... 37
7. Way Forward ....................................................................................................................... 39
References ........................................................................................................................... 44
Annexure.............................................................................................................................. 46
5
List of Tables
Table 1 Changes in climate parameters observed in Kerala between 1951-2010 .................. 13

Table 2 Projected changes in climate parameter .................................................................... 16
Table 3: Analysis of policies governing Fisheries and Coastal sector in Kerala through the
climate change lens ................................................................................................................. 27
Table 4: Analysis of Draft Agriculture policy of Kerala through the climate change lens ....... 32
Table 5: Coconut production policies analysed through a climate lens.................................. 37
Table 6: Package of activities for an integrated approach to sustain estuarine fisheries and
low land paddy cultivation ...................................................................................................... 41
List of Figures
Figure 1: Sea Level rise along the Indian coast line between 1993 and 2012 ........................ 13
Figure 2: Climate sensitivity of the Kerala Coast ..................................................................... 15
Figure 3: (a) Trends of coastal fish catch from 2006-07 to 2012-13; (b) Trends of landing of
different types of fish across the Kerala Coast ........................................................................ 18
Figure 4: (a) Rice and (b) Coconut production trends in coastal districts of Kerala ............... 20
Figure 5: Institutions managing coastal fisheries in Kerala ..................................................... 23
Figure 6: Agencies governing rice cultivation in coastal Kerala .............................................. 24
Figure 7: Drivers affecting coastal Fisheries in Kerala ............................................................. 26
Figure 8: Multiple drivers impacting coastal rice cultivation .................................................. 31
Figure 9: Schematic diagram of an integrated approach to climate change adaptation in
estuarine-wetland paddy/aquaculture system ....................................................................... 41
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
ADAK Agency for Development of Aquaculture, Kerala
AGCM Atmospheric General Circulation Models
AIS Automatic Identification System
AVHRR Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
CATP Catchment Area Treatment Plants
CC Climate Change
CCIP Climate Change Innovation Programme
CDB Coconut Development Board
CMFRI Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
CPD&M Centre for Product Design & Manufacturing
CRZ Coastal Regulation Zone
CSES Centre for Socio economic and Environmental Studies
CST Centre for Sustainable Technologies
CVI Coastal Vulnerability Index
DFID Department for International Development
DoA Department of Agriculture
DoECC Directorate of Environment and Climate Change
EMI Equated Monthly Instalment
FPO Farmer Producer Organisation
GCM Global Climate Model
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GHG Green House Gas
GoI Government of India
GoK Government of Kerala
GPS Global Positioning System
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HYV High Yielding Variety
ICSD Inter Cooperation Social Development
ICT Information Communications and Technology
IISc Indian Institute of Science
IIT Indian Institute of Technology
IMD Indian Meteorological Department
IORA Indian Ocean Rim Association
KAU Kerala Agriculture University
KSCDCL Kerala State Coastal Development Corporation Limited
KSHB Kerala State Housing Board
KUFOS Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
LRPE Long Range Planning Exercise
MDDT Multi-disciplinary Diagnostic Team
MGNREGA Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
MNAIS Modified National Agriculture Insurance Scheme
MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer
MoEF&CC Ministry for Environment Forest and Climate Change
MRI Meteorological Research Institute
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MSL Mean Sea Level
MWM Municipal Waste Management
NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
NCSCM National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management
NDMA National Disaster Management Authority
NGO Non-Government Organisation
NIFAM National Institute of Fisheries Administration and Management
PRECIS Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies
RKVY Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
SAF Society for Assistance to Fisherwoman
SAPCC State Action Plan on Climate Change
SEWA Self Employed Women’s Association
SHG Self-Help Group
SICOM Society for Integrated Coastal Management
SKYMET Weather monitoring and Agri-risk solutions private company
SLR Sea Level Rise
SMS Short Message Service
SPO Small Producers Organisation
SRI System of Rice Intensification
SST Sea Surface Temperature
STP Sewage Treatment Plant
UK United Kingdom
WBCIS Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme
WP Work Plan
WW Waste Water
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Executive Summary
This report1 is primarily based on a desk-based study with the main objective of producing a
policy brief highlighting two main areas:
1. An assessment of the policies that are likely to be reformed and/or improved by
having evidence of coastal vulnerability to Climate Change and the relative value of
the evidence; and
2. A preliminary assessment of vulnerability, based on existing evidence, and an
identification of the main steps needed to fill the gaps, taking into account the first
activity.
The report provides an overview of coastal vulnerability and to identify issues for further in
depth assessment, it is supplemented with limited number of discussions with key
stakeholders in government, academic and members of NGOs.
Kerala's current conditions and expected climate change would expose the narrow coastal
strip and its inhabitants to heightened vulnerabilities. Agriculture, fisheries, and mining for
minerals and sand are some of the major economic activities carried out by the people living
in this coastal tract. A large chunk of these inhabitants are the poor and marginalised groups
of artisanal fisher households. Their livelihoods are threatened from the overharvesting of
natural resources, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change.
Projected sea level rise and the collapse of commercial fisheries are putting food supplies and
coastal areas at risk, potentially leading to economic and social upheaval. Moreover, they have
limited access to healthcare and public services and therefore, extremely hard for them to
adaptations. Therefore, in order to address adaptation strategies and adjustment of coastal
management policies to changing circumstances, the report scanned through the policies
governing the coastal systems through a climate change lens.
Fisheries, agriculture and mining for minerals and sand are some of the major economic
activities carried out by the people living in this coastal tract. Considering that multiple drivers
affecting coastal fisheries, the policies that have been analysed are therefore directly or
indirectly supporting the health of the Marine Fisheries in the State. From the policies specific
elements is addressed with suggested approaches and action plans. The analysis has identified
12 elements and has suggested 25 adaptation actions. Agricultural policy encompasses, all
aspects of agriculture including policies on land use, water, soil health, crop husbandry, seeds
and planting material, fertilizer and plant nutrition, pesticides, value addition and processing
of agriculture produce, high tech farming, agriculture intelligence and marketing, minimum
support prices for promoting certain produces, income assurance, crop insurance and credit
policy, and policy on farm producer organisations. It also discusses Climate Change as a key
driver which has the possibility of changing the nature of agriculture in the State. Some of the
salient policy issues have been analysed and gaps identified vis a vis the issue of tackling
climate change. Since coconut continue to be a significant economic driver in Kerala, and since
coconut productivity is more vulnerable to climate variability such as summer droughts rather
1
The report is prepared for ACT by Mr D. Nandakumar (Ph.D) and Ms Sumana Bhattacharya (Ph.D) of Intercooperation Social Development
India (ICSD).
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than climate change in terms of increase in temperature and decline in rainfall, policies that
are relevant to coconut in terms of climate are analysed.
Our assessment of policies managing the key economic drivers of the coastal Kerala and
vulnerabilities suggest the way forward within the context of the extent of climate gaps and
propose a few long term activities. Some of the proposed activities can even be aligned to
CCIPs work streams identified through the Long Range Planning Exercise (LRPE). Finally, an
integrated approach plan is proposed with a box of activities to ensure sustainability of
estuarine fisheries and wetland rice cultivation is briefly explained.
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1. The Kerala Coast and its Vulnerabilities
Kerala, the southernmost state of the country lies at the extreme South-West of the Indian
peninsula (between 8o17’and 12o47’N latitudes and 74o52’ and 77o24’ E longitude). It
covers a geographic area of 38,863 km2. On the west is the Arabian sea along its 587.8 km
long coast line2 and in the eastern side of the state lie the mountains of the Western Ghats.
Kerala is divided into highland, midland and lowland. The lowland is the so called Coastal
area, covering 8% of the total geographical area of the state with a density of 2,740 people
per fishing village.3
The coastal area in Kerala comprises of a unique ecosystem - short continental shelf, sandy
beaches, and extensive backwaters having an interface of upstream fresh water system
with brackish water from the sea, chakara formations (mud aggregation) and below Mean
Sea Level (MSL) agriculture system. It is drained by 41 west flowing rivers coming from the
highlands, and flowing through midlands and into the Arabian sea. Elevation of this area
is less than 7.5 m above sea level, however, deltaic areas at river mouths and reclaimed
backwaters are generally at sea level or 1.0 to 1.5 m below MSL. It is dotted by sandy
beaches, mud flats (chakara), mangroves, extensive backwater network having an
interface of upstream fresh water system with brackish water from the sea and estuaries.
Agriculture, fisheries, and mining for minerals and sand are some of the major economic
activities carried out by the people living in this coastal tract.
Kerala's Coastal Vulnerabilities:

DFID defines vulnerability as an “indication of people’s exposure to external risks, shocks
and stresses and their ability to cope with, and recover from, the resulting impacts.
Vulnerability may differ seasonally or at different times within people’s lives. It also differs
across groups within communities or individuals within a household, owing to their
livelihood activities or social standing. Vulnerability of the poor is increasing due to a
number of trends, including increasing HIV/AIDS, conflict and pressures associated with
globalisation”4. Kerala's current conditions and expected climate change would expose the
narrow coastal strip and its inhabitants to heightened vulnerabilities5. These are further
exacerbated by various developmental activities such as damming up of rivers upstream
and thereby arresting freshwater flow and sand supply to the beaches, infrastructure
development activities such as harbour breakwaters, ports, groynes, seawalls, destruction
and reclamation of mangrove in the estuaries and building new urban habitats. Also
mining of beach sand, dredging in backwaters, pollution of estuarine and coastal waters
due to tourism, industry, and domestic waste water are amongst other drivers of change.
Climate Change (CC) is an additional driver or an add-on stressor, which is manifesting
itself in the form of sea level rise, stronger cyclones, higher storm surges, extreme
2 Ramesh R, Purvaraja R and Senthil Vel A. Shoreline Change Assessment for Kerala Coast. National Centre for Sustainable
Coastal Management (NCSCM), Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and Ministry for Environment Forest
and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India.
3 GOI 2010. Marine fisheries census 2010 Kerala, Part II (6). Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Dept. of Animal
Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research,
New Delhi, p. 33-48.
4 DFID, 2004. The impact of climate change on the vulnerability of the poor. Key Sheet. Global and Local Environment
Team, Policy Division, DFID, UK.
5 A large chunk of these inhabitants are the poor and marginalised groups of artisanal fisher households. They have
limited access to healthcare and public services and therefore, extremely hard for them to adaptations.
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precipitation events and extreme drought conditions. Fishing communities are affected by
multiple anthropogenic factors, where climate change is just one of it.
All these affect the entire resource base on which the society is dependent and manifest
differentially across different sections of the populace. It needs to be recognized that the
marginalized sections of the coastal populations, particularly traditional and small scale
fishing communities are much more vulnerable to climate change and they are the primary
vulnerable group. In coastal Kerala, subsistence resources form a large part of people's
life.
A major study was commissioned by the State government in 2007-08 to assess the
vulnerability of the Kerala coast-line. The study was conducted by IIT, Madras and was
funded by the Planning Commission of India under the Tsunami Rehabilitation
Programme. It was noted that how construction of sea-walls indiscriminately is not the
panacea to face disasters from the sea. First, the cost of construction is prohibitive as is
the cost of maintenance. Second, studies have established how constructing a sea-wall in
one area could cause uncalled for repercussions in other parts of the coast. The study,
therefore, recommended a well-considered and scientific mix of civil works and bio-
interventions through planting of mangroves, casuarina, etc. The study mapped the
specific areas that are prone to erosion and those that are experiencing accretion 6.
It is to be noted here that Kerala has a well-established local governance system, and
therefore all climate change adaptation policies need to be integrated within the
governance so as to be successfully implemented all across the coastal region.
Since it is well documented that adaptation to climate change can greatly reduce the
impact of sea-level rise and related coastal changes, it is therefore desirable to address
adaptation strategies and adjustment of coastal management policies to changing
circumstances. Therefore, it is important to scan the policies governing the coastal
systems through a climate change lens in order to build resilience of the most
marginalised coastal communities as well.
This document therefore scans all the policies related to the various economic activities
that would enable climate resilient adaptation in coastal areas through appropriate
responses including governance. For doing so it goes through the literature to ascertain
the extent of climate sensitivity of the coast to present climate trends, future projections,
associated vulnerabilities of key economic activities and associated livelihoods.
6 Sunder V and Murali K. 2007. Planning of Coastal Protection Measures along Kerala Coast - Final Report submitted to Govt
of Kerala. Department of Ocean Engineering. IIT Madras, Chennai
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2. Climate Sensitivity of the Coast
2.1 Changing trends of Rainfall and Temperature
Rainfall in Kerala varies from 1016 mm to 7620 mm. Temperature ranges between 23.9 oC
and 37.7oC in plains and 10.0 oC to 32.2 oC in the hills. Current observations published by
the IMD7 indicates that between 1951 and 2010, climate parameters have changed. Mean
annual temperatures have risen by 0.01oC/year and the mean annual rainfall has
decreased by 1.43 mm/year. Increasingly, Kerala is experiencing more number of dry days8
and as a result parts of Kerala are becoming vulnerable to drought with direct implications
on its resources and economy associated with agriculture.
Table 1 Changes in climate parameters observed in Kerala between 1951-2010
Minimum Temperature +0.01oC/year

Summer No trend
Monsoon No trend
Post Monsoon +0.01oC/year
Mean Maximum Temperature +0.01oC/year
Summer +0.01oC/year
Monsoon +0.02oC/year
Post Monsoon +0.01oC/year
Mean Annual Temperature +0.01oC/year
Mean annual rainfall -1.43 mm/year
Summer Rainfall -1.15 mm/year
Monsoon Rainfall -2.42 mm/year
Post monsoon +1.68 mm/year
Winter Rainfall -0.4 mm/year
2.2 Sea Level Rise

Figure 1: Sea Level rise along the Indian coast line between 1993 and 2012
7 IMD, 2013. State Level Climate Change. GoI

8 Gyhathakurta and Rajeevan, 2008. Trends in rainfall pattern over India, Int. Journal of Climatology, 28: 1453–1469.
13
Altimeter data9 analysis over the 1993–2012 period reveals that the rate of sea-level rise
along the Kerala coast is close to global mean sea-level-rise trend (3.2 mm per year)
estimated over the same period. These recent trends derived from altimeter data are
higher than those estimated from tide-gauge records over longer periods during the 20th
century which peg the sea level rise at 1.81 mm per year10.
2.3 Increasing Sea Surface Temperature

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) trends using a satellite-based climatology along Kerala
coast since 1985-2010 derived from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)
and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) indicates an increasing
trend of about 0.20o C per decade11. The higher rate of increment of SST in Kerala coast
may be attributed to larger rapid industrialization in the subcontinent and increase in air
temperature. It is found that the SST of Kerala coast is higher during day time and lower
during night time which may be influenced by the presence of landmass nearby. Coral
reefs are highly sensitive to SST and any change in SST significantly affect the well-being of
corals. So are the marine fish schools.
2.4 Cyclones and Storm surges

The entire Kerala coast is susceptible to moderate cyclonic winds and storm surges. It can
be of heights ranging from 3.0 to 4.5 m12. In addition, coastal hazards such as erosion and
accretion due to the action of waves, winds, tides, near shore as well as longshore
currents, storm surges and sea-level rise emanating from local environment as well as
global changes are putting a large part of Kerala’s coastal population at risk. Further, more
than 22 per cent of the state is exposed to flood and the hilly area constituting more than
8 per cent is landslide prone.13
2.5 Climate Change and increasing salinity

Agriculture policy document of 2013, Government of Kerala, rightly indicates the
potential impacts of global climate change as a possible cause for salinity intrusion into
aquifers and increasing salinity of its wetlands. Various studies indicate that excess
withdrawal of ground water in some parts of Kerala coast has contributed to the entry of
salinity into the coastal aquifers from the sea. These study reports indicate that if the
ground water table goes below 600 ft., there would be increase in the concentration of
Na+ salts14.
The trends of multiple number of hydrometeorological parameters associated with Kerala

coast is schematically indicated in Figure 2.
9 Altimeter data from TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1 and 2 combined observations were processed and redistributed as monthly
mean sea-level anomalies with respect to the seasonal cycle.
10 Unnikrishnan A S, A. G. Nidheesh And M. Lengaigne. 2015. Sea-Level-Rise Trends Off The Indian Coasts During The Last
Two Decades. Current science, vol. 108, no. 966 5, 10 march 2015.
11 Abhiya A M, S Minu, and Ramachandran. 2015. Salient Long-Term Observations of SST along Kerala Coast and Its
Comparative Variation with Lakshadweep Coast. Science Direct. Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015 ) 556 – 562.
12 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 2008. Management of Cyclones. National Disaster Management
Authority, GoI
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INDIAEXTN/Resources/295583-1110791780048/annx-hazards-tsu-na-32005.pdf
14 GoK, 2013. Draft Agriculture Development Policy.
14
Figure 2: Climate sensitivity of the Kerala Coast
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3. Climate Change Projections
Rainfall projections made using Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies (PRECIS), a
regional model having 50km x 50km spatial resolution indicates that by 2050s, Kerala
coastal areas would experience increase in annual precipitation by 10-20 per cent with
respect to base line which is the average of annual precipitation between 1961-1990. The
annual temperature is likely to increase by 1.49oC to 1.7oC by 2050s15. District wise
projections are presented in Table 2. Recent studies8 suggest that it is very likely that the
number of extreme warm days are likely to increase all over India, including Kerala.
Table 2 Projected changes in climate parameter16

District Change in max Change in min Change in
temperature in temperature in precipitation in
2050s wrt 1961- 2050s wrt 1961- 2050s wrt 1961-
1990 1990 1990
Kasaragod 1.54-1.59oC 1.56-1.63oC <0 (-ve)
Kannur 1.54-1.59oC 1.49-1.56oC <0 (-ve)
Wayanad 1.54-1.59oC 1.49-1.56oC <0 (-ve)
Kozhikode 1.54-1.59oC 1.49-1.56oC +0-10 cm
Malappuram 1.54-1.59oC 1.49-1.56oC +0-10 cm
Palakkad 1.59-1.64oC 1.56-1.63oC +0-10 cm
Thrissur 1.64-1.7oC 1.56-1.63oC +10-20 cm
Ernakulam 1.59-1.64oC 1.56-1.63oC +20-30cm
Kottayam 1.64-1.7oC 1.63-1.7oC +20-30cm
Idukki 1.64-1.7oC 1.63-1.7oC +10-20cm
Alappuzha 1.64-1.7oC 1.63-1.7oC +20-30cm
Pathanamthitta 1.64-1.7oC 1.63-1.7oC +20-30cm
Kollam 1.64-1.7oC 1.63-1.7oC +20-30cm
Thiruvananthapuram 1.64-1.7oC 1.63-1.7oC +10-20cm
There is a marked decrease in annual precipitation projected in the 2050s in the northern
districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad (see table 2). Recent high resolution modelling
(20km mesh GCM (MRI–AGCM3.2S)) studies17 indicate an overall decrease in monsoon
rainfall by 10-15% in Kerala in keeping with the observed trends. Intensification of extreme
precipitation is projected all over India, but an opposite effect is projected for the western
coast including Kerala. Over the west coast, the drastic reduction of vertical ascent and
weakening of circulation due to upper tropospheric warming effect predominate over the
moisture build-up effect (that causes enhanced rainfall over other parts) in reducing the
rainfall.
15 State Action Plan on Climate Change, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Kerala
16
Gyhathakurta and Rajeevan, 2008. Trends in rainfall pattern over India, Int. Journal of Climatology, 28: 1453–1469.
17 Rajendran K, S. Sajani, C. B. Jayasankarand A. Kitoh. 2013. How dependent is climate change projection of Indian summer
monsoon rainfall and extreme events on model resolution? Current science, vol. 104, no. 10, 25 May 2013.
16
The sea level will continue to rise at the rate of 3.2mm/year and this rate is entirely
dependent on the rate of melting of the glaciers across the world. Some areas across the
coast that are subsiding will encounter flooding due to sea level rise. No direct conclusive
relationship has been established between rise in cyclonic activity with rise in
temperature in the North Indian Ocean, including the Arabian sea bordering south
western part of India.
17
4. The Main Economic drivers of the Coastal Kerala
Fisheries and Agriculture together form the key economic activities of the state that supports
the income of almost half the population in the Coastal region.
4.1 Coastal Fisheries

Kerala State with a coastline of 590 km and continental shelf area of 40,000 sq.km,
provide livelihoods to 150,000 active marine fisher populations. Apart from marine
capture fisheries, with its extensive interconnected brackish water lakes and estuaries
(126,000 ha area of brackish water resources consisting of 0.65 lakh ha of brackish waters,
0.46 lakh ha of backwaters and canals, 0.13 lakhs ha. of prawn filtration fields) sustain a
dependent population of 230,000 fishers18.
Estimated coastal Fishery potential of the state is 5.17 lakh tonnes, which is an aggregate
of pelagic fish, crustaceans, demersals, molluscs and others. Between 2006-07 and 2012-
13, the coastal fisheries sector constitutes of 1.46% of the state GDP. About 31.4% of the
fish catch is exported and the rest consumed domestically in 2012-13. Coastal fisheries
provides livelihood to 0.775 million families across the coast. Of these 55% of families are
below poverty line. Among the 9 coastal districts, the largest proportion of fisher families
below poverty line are in Kasaragod (70%) and Kannur (68%).
In recent years, Kerala has seen an 11% decline in its total fish catch (see Figure 3). Since
2009-2010, Kerala lost its position as the leading producer of marine fish in the country
to Gujarat19. The declining trend is due to declining trend in catch of all types of fish along
the Kerala coast (See Figure 3).
Figure 3: (a) Trends of coastal fish catch from 2006-07 to 2012-13; (b) Trends of landing of
different types of fish across the Kerala Coast
Coastal fish catch by Type (million tons)

0.25
Sardine
0.20
Others
0.15
Prawns and Other
0.10 Crustaceons
Tunnis
0.05
0.00
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
18 http://www.fisheries.kerala.gov.in
19 Planning Commission. 2012. Report of the Working Group on Development and Management of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
XIIth Five-Year Plan (2012-2017). GoI, New Delhi.
18
Fish catch in Kerala (million tons)
0.62
0.59806
0.60 0.58628 0.58315
0.58 0.570013
0.560398
0.56 0.553177
0.54 0.530638
0.52
0.50
0.48
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
Source of Fig 3a and b : Kerala marine Fisheries Statistics, 2013 and Marine Fisheries Census- Kerala, 2010.
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries;
Ministry of Agriculture, GoI
Among the maritime states in India, Kerala has the maximum variety of fishing craft-gear
combinations in use. This richness is due to variety of factors - the high diversity in fish
species, their seasonality, diverse geomorphology of the coast and heterogeneous
oceanographic conditions20. In 2010, Kerala had 21,781 crafts, of which 4,722 were
mechanized, 11,175 motorised and 5884 were non-motorized21,22,23. Between 1973 and
2010, there has been almost 5 times increase in mechanised crafts; no motorised boats
existed in 1973. Today there are less than 30% of the crafts that are non-motorised. This
sudden increase exerted demand for infrastructure development, particularly for fishing
harbours and landing centres.
Among various infrastructure built along harbours, are the landing centres and the ice-
plants which would help store the catch which otherwise would perish fast. Scanning
through various reports and newspaper clippings revealed that none of these ice plants
are functional and fishers are buying ice from private owned ice-plants situated in the
proximity of the fishery harbours.
4.2 Agriculture
The agriculture scenario in Coastal Kerala is dominated by rice and coconut cultivation.
4.2.1 Rice
The low lying coastal area is abundant with submerged wet lands and are suitable for
cultivation of rice in the state. It produces around 0.25 to 0.35 million tons of rice which
amounts to 50-55% of the total rice production of the State. Figure 4 below gives the
trends of rice production between 2003-04 to 2011-12. A clear declining trend is seen
20 Protsahan. 2004. A Status Paper 2003-2004 on Fishery Harbours: Performance, Issues and Management Concerns.
Thiruvananthapuram.
21 Sathiadhas, R and Raghu, R and Kanakkan, A and Harshan. N K , Marine fish production and export marketing trend in Kerala
- an economic analysis. In: Marine Fisheries Research and Management Pillai V N and Menon, N G,(eds.) CMFRI; Kochi,
Kochi, pp. 876-894. 2000.
22 CMFRI, Marine Fisheries Census, 2010,
23 Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Kerala (2003).
19
with some inter-annual variability in between. This area is subjected to tidal actions or
sea level rise. Area under rice is declining (11% of cropped area in 1990-91 to <4% in 2009-
10), as this land is increasingly being diverted to other cash crops or for housing or other
developments. The trend of area under rice since 1955-till 2010 is shown in figure 4a.
Labour crunch is another issue which results in low area under production. As a result,
production of rice is less than what is required. The estimated requirement of rice in the
state is 35-40 lakhs tons/year however, actual production is 7-8 lakh tons/year. Currently,
91 per cent of the area is under High Yielding Variety (HYV) but the state is not able to
meet the requirement. As a result the deficit amount is procured from Andhra Pradesh
and other nearby states. Irrigation projects in the region have remained incomplete for
decades and this therefore the required water is not available, and the problem is likely
to exacerbate with further changes in climate as drought like situations set in.
Figure 4: (a) Rice24 and (b) Coconut25 production trends in coastal districts of Kerala
Rice production in million tons

0.35 0.319496
0.290638 0.295432
0.30 0.27122
0.245663 0.245353
0.25 0.2242 0.22433
0.20 0.162418
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
2003-042004-052005-062006-072007-082008-092009-102010-112011-12
million nuts
7000 6054 5941
5641 5802 5667
6000 5287
5000
4000
3000 2026
2000
1000
0
1950-51 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
24 Department of Agriculture (2013). Facts and Figures of Agriculture in Kerala, 2013. Department of Agriculture (DoA),
Gov of Kerala.
25 Coconut Development Board (2013) Concurrent estimation of coconut production in Kerala 2012-13.
20
4.2.2 Coconut
Coconuts are cultivated on nearly 8 lakh ha of land in homesteads along the coast line and
produced 4,886 million nuts in 2014-1526. Predominantly it is grown in small and marginal
holdings. Till a decade ago, coconut trees and coconuts played a vital role in the everyday
life and economy of the state. There was a time when coconuts were traded by
householders for every day provision procuring and the trees acted as bank guarantee for
accessing loans. The produce provides raw material support for the traditional industries
of coir and oil milling and accounts for about 17.29 per cent of the agricultural income of
the state (2008-09). The yield per ha in Kerala was 4,948 nuts in 1950-51 and in 2014-15
it grew to 6,042 nuts per hectare. In between higher yields upto 8,000 per ha also have
been achieved. Decline in production is happening in the districts of Idukki, Kottayam, and
Kollam and a significant increase in yield was found in Alleppey (Alappuzha in Malayalam).
Kozhikode is the highest coconut producing district in the state followed by Malappuram.
Alleppey is the nerve centre of Kerala's famous Coir Industry. Here, one can see coconut
husks being beaten into fibre for making floor mats and other coir products. Both men
and women are actively involved in the production of Coir. The women are mainly
involved in the yarn spinning sector and the men in the product-weaving sector. Coir
Industry enjoys the status as the largest cottage Industry in the state of Kerala, giving
employment to over a million people.
26 http://www.coconutboard.nic.in/stat.htm
21
5. Institutions involved in management of coastal fisheries and rice
cultivation systems in Kerala
The institutions supporting fisheries operation in the state are listed below as their
functions:
Sl.No. Institutions Functions

1. Infrastructure Kerala State Coastal development Corporation Limited
development and (KSCDCL) is involved in infrastructure development of fishery
Marketing: related activities across the coastal zone. Matsyafed
Cooperative is also involved in providing infrastructure
facilities for procurement, pre-processing and marketing of
fish and fishery requisites.
2. Supporting micro- Society for Assistance to Fisherwomen (SAF) Micro
enterprises: enterprises
3. Fishermen welfare: This is being looked after by the Kerala Fishermen Welfare
Board. It aims to provide for distress relief to fishermen in
times of natural calamities and to disabled; provides support
for general welfare, including education of children, health,
housing and old age assistance.
4. Assistance to It is provided by SAF Enterprises. It aims to strengthen
Women: women’s organisations amongst fisher communities, supports
skill development, micro-enterprise development, and
supports women to avail development schemes.
5. Research: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)
6. Technical guidance Agency for Development of Aquaculture, Kerala (ADAK)

and training: provides technical assistance and training to farmers on
aquaculture especially to small and marginal category.
National Institute of Fisheries Administration and
Management (NIFAM) provides in service training to Fisheries
personnel within the administration at all levels.
22
Figure 5: Institutions managing coastal fisheries in Kerala
5.2 Rice Cultivation

The rice cultivation activities are mostly governed by the agriculture department, and
various functions in agriculture are allocated to various agencies of the department.
Agencies like the rural development department, soil and water conservation department
and irrigation also play a key role in rice cultivation in the state. Implementation of the
coastal zone notification is responsibility of the department of environment so it also is a
stakeholder in the productivity of rice in the region. Additionally the private sector, has a
big role in rice production and marketing of rice in the state. Figure 6 below schematically
indicates the various departments involved in development of rice in the state.
A brief description of the various functions, institutions involved.

Rice Research The centre is exclusively to deal with research on rice in
1. Station at Kuttanad ecosystem, i.e in the low land deep water rice in
Mankombu: coastal Kerala
It is done through the Paddy Board, established in 2008.

The board coordinates the functioning of paddy
development agencies and ensures timely supply of seed,
Policy and
fertilisers, pesticides and subsidies to farmers. Attends to
programme
matters such as irrigation facilities and appropriate farm
2. implementation:
mechanisation. Formulate long-term projects for
increasing paddy production; issuing instructions to
implement area-specific schemes. Also supervise
implementation of M.S. Swaminathan Commission
recommendations and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
(RKVY) programme.
23
The State Government has constituted 11-Paddy

3. Rice cultivation in
Development Agencies for tackling the problem of rice
problem areas:
cultivation in special problem areas.
Was overcome by forming Group farming samithi’s/

Padasekhara samithi’s constitute the nucleus of rice
farming in the state. They were established to overcome
Overcoming small
4. the constraints fragmented holdings, high cost of labour
landholding
and inputs, non-availability of labour during peak season
problems:
and group farming was launched in 1990s. The samithi’s
focus on enhancement of production and productivity
through scientific approach.
Figure 6: Agencies governing rice cultivation in coastal Kerala
5.3 Coconut
Coconut production and coir together are an integral part of the entire coconut
production and related scenario in Kerala. The Coconut Development Board (CDB) is a
statutory body established under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India for the
integrated development of coconut cultivation and industry in the country with focus on
productivity increase and product diversification. Various research institutions are there
in Kerala that are focussing on coconut research. The Coconut Board is looking after the
development and marketing of coir products which find numerous use in homes, offices,
gardens, water bodies, fencing, and acoustics.
24
6. Analysing policies governing fisheries and agriculture through a
climate change lens
Rising Sea Surface Temperature (SST), storm surges, sea level rise are the drivers that
could change the fishery profile of the state along its coasts. Most fish species can survive
within a narrow range of temperature which is related to their basic metabolism and
availability of food organism. Already some discernible changes have been observed,
namely
o Changes in species composition of phytoplankton at higher temperature in the seas;
o An extension of distributional boundary of small pelagic fish;
o Pelagic fish are now available at deeper waters;
o Phenological changes are occurring amongst pelagic fish; and
o In the estuaries, due to warming of the sea surface, the warm water enters the
backwaters. Coastal waters are getting infested with jelly fish thus limiting crustacean
production27 (prawns and other crustaceans) within backwaters.
With continued rise in SST, some of the long term changes expected are:
o Changes in oceanographic settings may affect fish stocks;
o Shift to higher latitudes if the SST increases in the southern latitudes beyond the
physiological optimum of the fish, and if other oceanographic variables also change
unfavourably;
o Likely entry of species from equatorial regions.
The changing climate along with continued heavy use of pesticides in the upstream
catchments of the rivers that feed into the wetland ecosystem, inappropriate disposal of
waste from back water tourism into the back waters and destruction of mangroves are the
other drives that are changing the pattern of crustacean catch and other types of fish that
have their nurseries in the backwaters and estuaries. Therefore, maintaining the health of
the backwater and estuaries is also of utmost importance. Figure below indicates the
drivers of coastal fisheries that are a function of the marine environment, the beaches,
backwaters, and the communities that survive on this resource.
27 Bijukumar A. (undated). Coastal Environment and Biodiversity Conservation in Kerala in the Context of Climate Change.
Paper documents the impacts of climate change on the coastal and marine ecosystems of Kerala and proposes strategies
and action plans for adaption and mitigation while finalizing State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC).
25
Figure 7: Drivers affecting coastal Fisheries in Kerala
Considering that multiple drivers are affecting coastal fisheries, the policies that have been
analysed are therefore directly or indirectly supporting the health of the Marine Fisheries in
the state. From the policies specific elements is addressed with suggested approached and
action plans. The analysis has identified 12 elements and has suggested 25 adaptation actions.
The summary of the policies analysed supporting the health of the Marine Fisheries in Kerala
is as given:
Summary of the policies reviewed governing Coastal and Fisheries sector

Suggested adaption
Sl.No. Polices
actions (No.)
Fisheries Sector Development Conservation Policy,
1. 15
2004
2. Forest Policy, 2009
3. Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 2
4. Tourism policy, 2012 3
5. Environment Policy, 2009 2
6. Mining Policy, 2015 1
7. Disaster Management Policy, 2010 2
Total 25
An analysis of policies through a climate change lens is presented below for the coastal
fisheries sector.
26
Table 3: Analysis of policies governing Fisheries and Coastal sector in Kerala through
the climate change lens
1. Fisheries Sector Development Conservation Policy, 2004

Key Policy Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation actions
Element
Conserve and Information on fishing 1. Satellite mapping and tracking of fish schools to
ensure sustainable zones to be given out to identify potential fishing zones on a daily basis and
exploitation of fishers on a daily basis. information sent to fishers through SMS (assuming
fisheries wealth that appropriate regulations are in place regarding
(Policy 1,2,3 pages the boat size, power and gear types and size)
2-6)
Over exploited and 2. Over exploited areas identified and No-Go zones
endangered areas not intimated to fishers to restore fish catch
identified and 3. Mandatorily all trawlers/boats to be fitted with
disseminated amongst Global Positing System (GPS) which can be tracked
fishers as No-Go Zone. by satellite and registered in the new
recommended format as per the Marine Fisheries
Regulation act 1980 and amended in 2013 –
Automatic Identification System (AIS) system
4. Bring in regulations to ban fishing trawlers that go
into No-Go-Zone
Protection, Protection of ecosystem 5. Catchment Area Treatment Plants (CATP) to stop
consideration and of coastal and backwater industrial effluents flowing into coastal and
encouragement of fisheries. backwater. It need to be regularly monitored and
subsistence level fined if and when regulations are not followed.
fishers and 6. Stop domestic waste water flow into the coastal
technology and backwaters - use local level Sewage Treatment
transfer to small Plants (STP) and undertake regular checks
scale sector (Policy 7. Blockage of the mouth of the estuaries due to
5 page7) coastal infrastructure development activities to be
avoided
8. Keep the beach as a buffer zone. Shore, beach and
estuary should be recognised as a part of the oceans
Compensation for loss of littoral zone and no engineering interventions other
income during extreme than those recommended such as beach
events. nourishment and vegetation belts.
9. Stop conversion of mangroves to other land use.
Excess fish feed collects at 10. For existing farms, introduce technology that
the bottom of the aqua would convert this waste material to microbial
ponds created by protein which can be consumed by the fish in
removing large patches of the ponds.
mangroves which
subsequently get
converted into ammonia
and nitrite which creates
mortality amongst
shrimps.
27
1. Fisheries Sector Development Conservation Policy, 2004
Key Policy Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation actions
Element
To maintain fish Conservation and 11. Scenarios of future sea level rise, cyclone
landing centres protection of fish landing intensities, probable height of storm surges need
(61) and fish centres vis a vis enhanced to be factored in to the location and design of the
harbours (13) as impacts of climate change fish landing centres and the harbours.
per the not yet factored in. 12. Further, remove existing sea walls and plant
international protective vegetation and reserve the adjacent
Standards beach as buffer for dissipating energy from storm
(Policy 6 page 9) surges.
Stop fishery in Monsoon onset and 13. All fishers should subscribe to weather forecasts
monsoon (Policy 1 cessation not through SMS
page 1) synchronised with actual 14. Strict regulation to disallow any fishing boats to
5-7 day forecasts. exploit the coastal marine waters, and brackish
waters and estuaries. Alternative livelihood
opportunities to compensate for loss of income
during these months should be factored in
Motorisation of It is important to address 15. Renewable energy sources can be tapped such as
traditional crafts the drivers of climate replacing with wind/solar energy, using hydrogen
(Policy 2 page3) change which shape the as fuel, or mixing biofuel with fossil fuel.
vulnerability of the fisher
folk- in this case emission
from motorised fossil fuel
driven crafts.
2. Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011

Key Policy Element Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation
actions
The Central Government, with a Consult with coastal 1. All efforts should be taken to
view to ensure livelihood communities to seek their consult with the coastal
security to the fisher views on the perceived communities and their
communities and other local impact of climate change, perspectives to be inclusive in
communities, living in the and the sort of responses action plans.
coastal areas, to conserve and that are needed.
protect coastal stretches, its Take into account socio-economic
unique environment and its and other fisheries and non-
marine area and to promote fisheries factors that are locally
development through
28
2. Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011
actions
sustainable manner, declare the relevant in the context of climate

coastal stretches of the country change.
and the water area upto its
territorial water limit as Coastal
Regulation Zone (CRZ)
(Page 2-4)
Area upto 200m to 500m, The housing of fishers also 2. Develop policy framework for re-
construction or reconstruction need to be modified or situating land uses that may
of dwelling units allowed upto a relocated vis a vis the become unsafe or unsuitable in the
height of 9m rising sea level and future. Also develop building
(Page 20) expected higher cyclone standards that can withstand the
frequencies and storm exacerbated situation in a
surges. changing climate scenarios. Land
acquisition of the landward side of
the current dwelling units of
communities living close to the
beach and moving them back may
be factored in.
3 Tourism policy, 2012
Key Policy Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation

Element actions
Environment 1. This does not include fuel spillage 1. Regular monitoring of houseboat
friendly practices into the backwater that spoils the engines and fuel tanks to avoid spillage;
promoted for the environment in the estuaries. fined if detected. Replace all by
backwater and renewables.
other water body
2. Also does not talk about how the 2. Lay out packages of practices that will
tourism
Municipal Social Waste (MSW) ensure MSW and WW management in
(Policy 5.6; Page 7)
and Waste Water (WW) such a way so as to avoid the pollution of
management will be ensured. backwaters.
3. The lighting and other operations 3. The entire operation can be replaced by
in the houseboats are done using renewable energy sources- A study on
diesel the potential of renewable energy use in
the tourism boats can be carried out.
29
4. Environment Policy, 2009

actions
Conservation of Mangroves are the first line of 1. The privately owned mangrove areas
existing mangroves defence from sea level rise, need to be conserved as well and
and restoration cyclones and storm surges. therefore demarcated. Compensation
wherever possible Therefore conservation and for the same may be made to the
through enacting protection of these areas is most owners; like payment for ecosystem
appropriate important. services might be devised here as well.
legislative measures
(Policy 6.4.3; Page 14) The extent of mangrove in Kerala
is 2502 ha out of which 1189 ha
belongs to the state (it is under
conservation) and 1313 ha is
under private ownership.
Mangrove ownership per person
at less than 1 ha can be sold by the
owners.
Prevention of coastal Illegal and clandestine sand 2. Strict enforcement of existing laws,
and riverbank erosion mining continue to erode coast, capacity building of local bodies to
by means of, as far as backwaters and river banks. strategies prevention of illegal mining;
possible, biological Enhance community based coastal
methods. protection/ management.
(Policy 9.2; Page 18)
5. Kerala Scientific Mining Policy, 2015 (draft)

actions
Designing of special Large scale mining of sand from 1. Map the fast eroding beaches.
techniques, beaches is done for recovering Appropriate beach nourishment
equipment and minerals, leading to heavy erosion techniques may be applied to reduce
machineries to reduce and these areas will be the chances of further erosion due to
environmental susceptible to stronger storm climate change.
impacts related to surges and sea level rise leading to
small scale mining further erosion and affecting the
activities of the state fisheries particularly the small
will be supported scale fisheries.
(Box 8; Page 7)
30
6. Disaster management Policy, 2010
Key Policy Element Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation actions
Strengthen the Because of new hi-tech fishery 1. Ascertain areas where women can also
capacities and and high value markets available, access resources and strengthen their
resilience of women have been side lined in resilience. Some of them can be –
vulnerable the entire value chain. women’s participation to be made
communities with mandatory in governance and
special emphasis on management of fishery businesses.
empowerment of Incentivising women to become
women and establish entrepreneurs in fishery businesses.
community level
During extreme weather events 2. Develop community/ cooperative based
systems (Objective 4;
which may continue for several micro-insurance to compensate for
Page 2)
days, earnings of fishers and earnings during these periods,
particularly women in fisheries
are affected
6.2 Rice Cultivation

Climate sensitivity of rice cultivation in the coastal region in Kerala emanates from:
o Global sea level rise leading to extended inland flooding;
o Likely increase in intensity and frequency of storm surges and cyclones;
o Rise in salinity of wetlands;
o Intrusion of salinity into aquifers;
o Rising ambient temperature (min and max);
o Warmer seas due to rising SST may warm up the water temperature in the submerged
lands thus impacting rice yields;
o Erratic rain fall leading to uncertainty in water availability in rain-fed farming areas;
o Changes in rain fall pattern affecting cropping seasons.
Figure 8: Multiple drivers impacting coastal rice cultivation
31
In 2013, the Government of Kerala (GoK) has drafted its new Agriculture Development
Policy28. The policy encompasses, all aspects of agriculture including policies on land use,
water, soil health, crop husbandry, seeds and planting material, fertilizer and plant
nutrition, pesticides, value addition and processing of agriculture produce, high tech
farming, agriculture intelligence and marketing, minimum support prices for promoting
certain produces, income assurance, crop insurance and credit policy, and policy on farm
producer organisations. It also discusses Climate Change as a key driver which has the
possibility of changing the nature of agriculture in the state. Some of the salient policy
issues have been analysed below and gaps identifies vis a vis the issue of tackling climate
change.
Summary of the policies reviewed governing agriculture sector
Suggested Adaptation
Sl.No. Polices
actions (No.)
1. Land Policy 3
2. Climate and Environment Policy 3
3. Water 4
4. Soil 1
5. ICT 1
6. Technology dissemination and management 3
7. Markets and international Trade 3
8. Farmer Producer Organisation 1
9. Income assurance and crop insurance 2
10. Agriculture credit policy 1
11. Crop Husbandry 1
Total 23
Table 4: Analysis of Draft Agriculture policy of Kerala through the climate change lens

actions
1. Agricultural Policy – Polices related to land
The agriculturally potential Classification into micro 1. Propagation appropriate varieties
land is to be identified and agro climatic zone for of rice as per the requirement of
demarcated with the help of optimizing productivity of the zone. These can be thermal
modern technologies such as the land tolerant/ saline tolerant/ and in
remote sensing, satellite some cases water stress tolerant
imagery and Geographic
Information Systems
(6.3 Policy 2; Page 35)
28 GoK, 2013. Draft Agriculture Development Policy.

32
actions
Ecological incentives should Ensuring that the wetland 2. Each of the wet land area need to
be provided to the owners owners are incentivised to be geo-marked to ascertain the
who keep keep the land in its present special situation.
the wetlands and paddy form
lands without converting Payment for ecosystem services
them can be received by the owners if
(6.9 Policy 8; Page 39) Kudumbashree groups are allowed
to lease the land. Therefore leasing
Implement The Kerala mechanism need to be in place, as
Conservation of Paddy Land this is not allowed now.
and Wetland Act, 2008
(6.5 Policy 4; Page 37) Hence to arrest conversion of land use
policy level changes are required
urgently
Cultivable wastes should be Cultivable waste land may 3. Bring in new intensive technology
brought under plough with not be enough to bridge such as hydroponics, vertical towers
immediate effect for the demand and the like
augmenting the food
production
2. Agricultural Policy - Climate and Environment Policy
Climate change adaptation Growth of crops and 1. All depts. get informed about
strategies to mitigate ill realization of output are regular weather forecasts and
effects of weather determined by the future projections of extreme
aberrations and sustain crop quantum of rainfall and its events
production under projected distribution during the
climate change scenario monsoon season. Excess Capacity building at all levels of
because, Kerala is the most rainfall may adversely agriculture management to factor
vulnerable place as far as the affect the crop yield in CC adaptation in planning
climate change is concerned.
(9.1; Page 56)
Facilitate the possibility of All associated departments 2. Develop and propagate Weather
strategic planning for like irrigation, soil and indexed crop insurance that
systematic Disaster water conservation and compensates for loss in income
Management, as well as for rural development are due to extreme temperatures,
contingency planning at currently not aligning their extreme rainfall, sea level
District, Block and Gram natural resource changes, extreme storm surges
Panchayat levels against all management with the and cyclones
emergencies changing climate
Loss in income not factored
in due to extreme climate
Optimize the ecological load Here again potential areas 3. Life cycle assessments may be
on the natural for reducing Green House carried out to identify the
Gas (GHG) emissions from potential areas for reducing GHG
33
actions
systems as well as build up the agriculture sector emissions within the rice
the state’s economy while needs to be looked at production cycle. Introduce low
minimizing environmental carbon strategies wherever
degradation necessary
3. Agricultural Policy - Policies related to Water

Water budgeting should be Climate change trends and 1. Trends of seasonal min/max
adopted in a watershed basis future scenarios not temperatures, rainfall,
(3.4; Page 13) factored in vis a vis soil evapotranspiration, and future
health, water flows and scenarios of the same need to be
temperature trends. factored in while doing long term
water budgeting for different
sectors.
2. Similarly possible changes in soil
Carbon and other minerals due to
changes in vegetation type as
temperature increases also need
to be studied.
Irrigated agriculture being the Climate projections for the 3. Irrigation infrastructure may also
largest state point towards need to be extended to the low
water demanding sector, decreasing rainfall and lying areas making them less
special attention has to be increase in dry periods. This vulnerable to climate extremes.
given for creating and will impact the low lying
sustaining irrigation areas also where rainfed
infrastructure farming of rice is practiced.
(2.3; Page 12) As rice required more water
than most of the other
crops, this situation may be
of concern for ensuring food
security in the state.
Sub surface dykes are to be The dyke structure has to be 4. Revisit the dyke designs and
constructed at possible places in commensuration with integrate the design element
for the ground water recharge projected recurrence necessary for accommodating
(2.7; Page 21) frequency and intensities of recurrence frequency and
rainfall in the future so that intensity of extreme rain fall
these can catch large events
volumes of rainwater that
may fall within short period
of time
4. Agricultural Policy - Policies related to Soil
Make every effort to reduce Area across the coast will 1. Minimising the coastal
soil erosion on a watershed need different interventions such as breakwater
basis construction, groynes, and sea
34
actions
(8.7 Policy 28; Page 54) interventions to avert soil walls which change the dynamics
erosion of the ocean leading to soil
erosion. Additionally beach
nourishment in and around paddy
wetlands would ensure soil
conservation.
5. Agricultural Policy - ICT related Policies
ICT enabled weather An integrated approach 1. The department of agriculture has to

forecasting services, input across various work in sink with
prices and disciplines/department is -IMD which does weather
availability, early warning of missing forecasting
diseases and pests and soil -All data collected from proposed
testing Capacities for disease high resolution network of weather
& soil sampling information forecasting not in place stations have to be shared with
are to be provided by SMS Service providers for agro-met department of the state
(14.13 Policy 62; Page 87) weather forecasting to be and then with IMD
identified -Capacities for disease and pest
forecasting to be developed and
Existing Multi-disciplinary appropriate institution identified
Diagnostic Team (MDDT) of for the same.
the Agriculture -Tele service provider to be tied up
Department. for providing farmers the region
specific disease and pest outbreak
forecasts
-Cost sharing mechanisms to be
worked out for providing the
services to the farmers
-Capacity building of MDDT,
particularly in the CC scenario.
6. Agricultural Policy - Policies related to technology dissemination and management
Extension Services are to be Extension services to explore 1. Websites that give comprehensive
made more efficient alternative outreach information.
(15.2 Policy 64; Page 90) methods 2. Dial up services that give
customised information. Dial up
services to have link with state
extension services
3. Continuous capacity building of
extension workers on changing
climate, its possible impacts and
adaptation strategies specific to
the coastal wetland paddy
cultivation has to be done
7. Policies related to markets and international Trade
35
actions
The twin goals of ensuring To save farmers from 1. Identification of international
justice to farmers in terms of financial distress mechanisms such as “Fair Trade”
a remunerative price for that provide minimum prices even if
their produce and to the price of the commodity has
consumers in terms fallen or crashed and propagating
of a fair and affordable price this amongst farmers.
Actio-Aportum to be Actio-Aportum needs to be 2. In this the “Nidhi” amount can be
introduced for ensuring a legal climate sensitive parked to compensate the farmers
right of share of profit base line income in case of a crop
generated out of farmers farm failure due to climate change.
produce. The additional 3. Apart from supporting weather
amount will be used for based insurance schemes, existing
investment to produce more 137 automated weather stations
and rest will get into “Nidhi” could be upgraded for managing
(20.5 Policy 98; Page 128) climate change induced risks.
8. Agricultural Policy - Policies related to Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO)
Supporting development of Mechanisms to absorb 1. The FPOs should have access to risk
FPOs climate shocks funds to compensate for the losses
(18.2 Policy 18; Page 109) due to climate shocks
9. Agricultural Policy - Policies related to income assurance and crop insurance
Government should adopt An act in the form of 1. However, to have an additional
'Income Guarantee' “MGNREGA” already exists. state specific Act in place, the
programmes for the farmers as Government needs to be clear
the main agricultural support about what activities will be
instrument and an Act in this remunerated in this Act which
line should be passed. should not overlap the activities of
(20.10 Policy 102; Page 133) the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.
Lease Land group farming 2. KSHG should be brought under

programme which Weather Based Crop Insurance
promoted the participation Scheme (WBCIS)/ Modified National
of women in the farming Agriculture Insurance Scheme
sector helped groups like (MNAIS) etc., if not already.
“Kudumbashree” self-help
groups (SHG).
10. Agricultural Policy - Agriculture credit policy
Increase flow of credit to Relief from repayment of 1. The government needs to create a
farmers including small and Equally Monthly Instalment mechanism by way of which the EMI
marginal, (EMI) when in climate of the credit taken will be
triggering agricultural growth distress compensated for by the government
led economic progress, which when the farmer is in distress in a
can particular period due to climate shock.
36
actions
lead to opportunities for a
healthy and productive life to
rural families
( 21.4 Policy 103; Page 134)
11.Policies on Crop Husbandry

The current productivity of Wide scale dissemination 1. A mix of technologies , such as
2.30 t/ha of rice has to be of techniques that enable System of Rice Intensification
increased to 4.0 t/ha so as to increase in productivity is (SRI), hydroponics need to be
achieve the production not there propagated widely across the
target of 12.0 lakh tonnes of coastal region to increase
rice from 3.0 lakh ha. within production
a span of five years
(22.10 Policy 115; Page 142)
6.3 Coconut
Coconut and coir industry are dependent on each other, but coconut tree climbers are a
rarity in Kerala and other states now, with very few taking on the traditional profession.
Studies29 point out that increase in temperature, aridity index, number of severe summer
droughts and decline in rainfall and moisture index were the major factors for a marginal
decline or stagnation in coconut productivity, though various developmental schemes were
in operation for sustenance of coconut production in the State of Kerala. The coconut
productivity is more vulnerable to climate variability such as summer droughts rather than
climate change in terms of increase in temperature and decline in rainfall, though there
was a marginal decrease (1.6%) in the decade of 1981-2009 when compared to that of
1951-80.
Some of the policies that are relevant to coconut in terms of climate are discussed below.
Table 5: Coconut production policies analysed through a climate lens

actions
Coconut palm insurance The insurance may need 1. Relook at the insurance policy
scheme. to include dip in through climate change lens
Covers mortality and totally productivity from year to
unproductive plants due to: year due to climate
Storm, hailstorm, cyclone shocks.
typhoon, tornado, heavy
rains; Flood and inundation;
Pest and diseases of
29
Krishna Kumar K. N. (2011) ”Coconut Phenology and Yield Response to Climate Variability and Change”, Thesis submitted
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor Of Philosophy In Atmospheric Science, Department of
Atmospheric Sciences Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi, India
37
actions
widespread nature causing,
irreparable damages to
palm; Accidental fire,
including forest fire and
bush fire, lightening; Earth
quake, landslide and
tsunami; Severe drought
and consequential total loss
Production and distribution Nominal increase in 2. Agronomic adaptations like soil
of coconut seeds- productivity in the future moisture conservation, summer
The objective of the is estimated due to irrigation, drip irrigation, and
programme is to enhance climate change30. fertilizer application cannot only
the production and supply However, these would minimize losses in majority of
of good quality planting not be sufficient to meet coconut growing regions, but also
materials through following demand in the future. So improve productivity substantially.
component programmes aggressive agronomic Further, genetic adaptation
practices are required. measures like growing improved
local Tall cultivars and hybrids
under improved crop management
is needed for long-term adaptation
of plantation to climate change,
particularly in regions that are
projected to be negatively
impacted by climate change
Expansion of area under Considering land 3. High yielding dwarf varieties

Coconut available is limited it need to be propagated across
might not be feasible to Kerala coast
expand area under
coconut
Integrated farming for Emerging pests and 4. Mapping of existing diseases,
productivity improvement diseases will be the norm and possible future diseases may
in future due to climate have to be worked out.
change. 5. Also early disease warning
forecasting may be integrated so
as to ensure proactive action to be
taken by small holders and others.
30 Naresh Kumar, Aggar P K, 2013. Climate change and coconut plantations in India: Impacts and
potential adaptation gains
38
7. Way Forward
Kerala's current conditions and expected climate change would expose the narrow coastal
strip and its inhabitants to heightened vulnerabilities. A large chunk of these inhabitants
are the poor and marginalised groups of artisanal fisher households who depend on
economic activities like agriculture, fisheries, mining etc.,. Their livelihoods are threatened
from the overharvesting of natural resources, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive
species, and climate change. Projected sea level rise and the collapse of commercial
fisheries are putting food supplies and coastal areas at risk, potentially leading to economic
and social upheaval. Moreover, they have limited access to healthcare and public services
and therefore, extremely hard for them to adaptation. Therefore, in order to address
adaptation strategies and adjustment of coastal management policies to changing
circumstances, the report scanned through the policies governing the coastal systems
through a climate change lens.
Our assessment of policies managing the key economic drivers of the coastal Kerala and
vulnerabilities suggest the way forward for the State of Kerala within the context of the
extent of climate gaps and propose activities to bridge the gaps. The following are the
proposed activities that can be considered by the Government of Kerala:
1. Strategies and actions for climate resilient coastal fisheries:

i. Strengthen fish catch surveillance system: Develop an integrated fish catch surveillance
systems that spot the fish schools zones in advance in the marine zone, and intimate
fishers directly enabling them to harvest fish at economically viable levels. This in turn
will help to build the resilience of the stakeholders;
ii. To rejuvenate fish catch: Develop the concept of no-Go zone to rejuvenate fish catch
areas. For this all trawlers/boats to be fitted with GPS which can be tracked by satellite
and registered in the new recommended format as per the Marine Fisheries Regulation
act 1980 and amended in 2013 – AIS system;
iii. Protection and conservation of beaches: Policy on adapting the fish landing centres,
fisher villages, other fisheries related infrastructure with increasing intensity of extreme
events needs to be formulated. Wherever possible, beaches need to be reserved as
buffer zone and reserved strictly for the traditional fishers for their fishery related
activities. In the extreme vulnerable locations, dwelling units need to be relocated and
ensuring that areas protected as buffer zones;
iv. Weather forecast through SMS: The current weather forecasting system is not being
optimally utilised. Therefore, mechanisms to be established to reach out to all registered
fisher to subscribe to real time weather forecast through Short Message Services (SMS).
Boats/trawlers on sea should also be able to get the same information through satellite
telephony;
v. Alternative skill development policy: It may be explored for ensuring income in lean
periods i.e in monsoon, and also for other members of the family including women, who
can bring in diversified incomes in all times of the year;
vi. Mangrove conservation: Land use policy need to be revisited to stop conversion of
privately owned mangrove land <1 ha;
39
vii. Beach nourishment: Map fast eroding beaches and design beach nourishment
techniques. Also build awareness and capacities of the local self-governments to control
unscientific exploitation of beaches.
2. Strategies and actions for Climate resilient Rice cultivation in Coastal Areas
i. Climate resilient agriculture systems: Life cycle assessments of coastal rice, to initiate
processes that will make climate resilient agriculture systems, i.e from farm inputs
(including appropriate seeds, solar water pumps, organic farming etc) to consumers’
table; A value chain approach leading upto the market along with farming practices
with reduced GHG emissions and increased water use efficiency (like SRI, alternate
drying and wetting etc).
ii. Support to traditional practices: Map the potential coastal wetland areas that can
come under Pokkali and Kaipad cultivation areas, and support traditional practices
keeping in view the changing climate;
iii. Rice wetland protection through women SHGs: Map areas where rice wetlands need
to be protected. Develop a policy that will enable Self Help Groups such as
Kudumbashree to lease the identified land for cultivation. This will ensure that the
owners of such lands are discouraged from selling the land and receive a payment for
eco-system services in the form of the lease money received from SHGs for cultivating
these lands;
iv. Consideration of hydroponics/SRI methods: Considering the constraint of land and
increase in intensity of extreme events in the future, pilots may be carried out to see
the feasibility of cultivating rice in vertical towers through hydroponics technologies
and SRI methods in controlled environment;
v. Water budgeting studies: This may be instituted keeping in view the climate change
scenario and its impact on water available for irrigation when new technologies need
to be instituted;
vi. Weather indexed crop insurance: Develop weather indexed crop insurance to avert
dip in income due to climate shocks and which is not dependent on surveys by
insurance agency but is connected to weather instruments directly;
vii. Artificial recharge of ground water: Explore artificial recharge possibilities of ground
water across the coast;
viii. Strengthening extension services: Strengthen extension services ensuring SMS
transfers on regular basis with key inputs on weather, markets, probable crops to be
sown and inputs required. Popularise dial-in service as well;
ix. Farmer collectivisation and Community risk management: Formation of Small
producer organisations (SPOs) including producer companies and developing an
internal system to manage risks jointly through a value chain approach with a business
model.
3. Proposed activities for strengthening coconut cultivation

i. Agronomic practices: Develop a package of agronomic practices for conserving soil
moisture, summer irrigation, drip irrigation, and fertilizer application and genetic
adaptation to grow high yielding dwarf varieties in view of the changing climate
scenario and reducing coconut production in the state.
ii. Weather Index Insurance: Revisit the coconut insurance and develop and disseminate
weather indexed insurance.
40
Some of the proposed activities can even be aligned to CCIP’s work streams identified
through the Long Range Planning Exercise (LRPE).
A Pilot model: An integrated approach to sustain estuarine fisheries and low land paddy
cultivation
The figure below, schematically lists the type of activities that can be undertaken on a pilot
basis by the Government of Kerala to show case how an integrated approach can ensure
sustainability of estuarine fisheries and wetland rice cultivation. The packages of activities
have been briefly explained in Table 6.
Figure 9: Schematic diagram of an integrated approach to climate change adaptation in

estuarine-wetland paddy/aquaculture system
Table 6: Package of activities for an integrated approach to sustain estuarine fisheries and
low land paddy cultivation
No. Work package (WP) How

1. Assess impacts of On ground survey to assess the long term impacts of climate
climate change on change on the selected system and then linking it with
selected estuarine- anticipated impacts based on modelling the system in a
wetland climate change context. There are some studies that
paddy/aquatic worked out Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) which could
system highlight those stretches of the coast where effects of sea-
level rise may be the greatest. CVI, basically, allows six
41
physical variables (Geomorphology, slope, relative sea level
change, shoreline erosion and accretion, mean tide range
and mean wave height) to be related in a quantifiable
manner.
2. Organic certification This can be done by propagating organic wetland paddy

to absorb market farming and bring in “Fair trade” mechanisms where
shocks climate shocks do not affect international market prices.
3. Ensuring income in a Fiscal mechanisms can be explored that can compensate

changing climate the farmers in income loss due to climate shocks. For fisher
scenario folks also similar mechanisms can be tried out as micro
insurance through existing cooperatives.
4. Designing payment As the Agriculture policy prescribes, conservation of

for ecosystem wetlands for paddy cultivation and not let them get
services converted to other land use, it is proposed that the farmers
who retain these wetlands should be compensated for the
ecosystem they are preserving. A fiscal measure can be
designed through which this compensation can happen.
5. Hindering pollution This work package will look at how effluents from different
of the system to sources can be best managed to minimise the pollution
sustain productivity seeping into the backwater estuarine /low land paddy
in a climate change cultivation systems.
context
6. Scoping for replacing This will involve replacement of diesel driven boast with
tourism boat solar power, hydrogen, or blending of diesel with biofuel.
operations with Also the lighting and cooling aspects within the boast can
renewable energy be energised by these alternative sources of energy.
technologies
7. New technologies for New technologies such as hydroponics can be explored to
growing rice in a hedge the increasing climate impacts such as droughts,
climate change floods, and extreme rain fall and thus ensure food security.
scenario There are also other farming practices like SRU, alternate
wetting and drying etc which can lead to reduced water use.
8. Abating CH4 Excess fish feed collects at the bottom of the aqua ponds
emission from excess which subsequently get converted into ammonia and nitrite
fish feed in thus affecting fish sustainability. A new technology that
aquaculture ponds would convert this waste material to microbial protein and
created from can be consumed by the fish in the ponds can be
removal of implemented at pilot scale
mangroves
42
9. Integrating gender Ascertain areas where women can also access resources
sensitivity into the and strengthen their resilience to climate change. Ensure
fish value chain women’s participation in governance and management of
fishery businesses and explore Incentivising women to
become entrepreneurs in fishery businesses.
It is concluded that when the above mentioned pilot
activities are integrated across the entire coastal Kerala,
adaptation and mitigation strategies would work better as
well as provide a more effective response to climate
change.
10. Strengthening This work would involve assessment of strength and

infrastructure for recurrence frequency of extreme events (storm surges,
marine fisheries in cyclones, in consonance with rising sea level, and possible
view of climate vulnerability of the coastal infrastructure (landing centres,
change ports) including housing of the fisher communities
43
References
1. Abhiya A M, Minu S, and Ramachandran. 2015. Salient Long-Term Observations of SST
along Kerala Coast and Its Comparative Variation with Lakshadweep Coast. Science Direct.
Aquatic Procedia 4 (2015 ) 556 – 562.
2. Bijukumar A. (undated). Coastal Environment and Biodiversity Conservation in Kerala in the

Context of Climate Change. Paper documents the impacts of climate change on the coastal
and marine ecosystems of Kerala and proposes strategies and action plans for adaption and
mitigation while finalizing State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC).
3. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, 2010. Marine Fisheries Census, Government of
India.
4. Coconut Development Board. 2013. Concurrent estimation of coconut production in Kerala

2012-13. Government of Kerala.
5. Department of Agriculture. 2013. Facts and Figures of Agriculture in Kerala, 2013.

Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala.
6. Department of Environment and Climate Change. 2013. Kerala State Action Plan on Climate
Change. Government of Kerala.
7. Directorate of Fisheries. 2003. Government of Kerala.
8. Government of India. 2010. Marine fisheries census 2010 Kerala, Part II (6). Govt. of India,
Ministry of Agriculture, Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries and Central Marine
Fisheries Research Institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, p. 33-48.
9. Government of Kerala. 2013. Draft Agriculture Development Policy.
10. Gyhathakurta and Rajeevan 2008. Trends in rainfall pattern over India, Int. Journal of
Climatology, 28: 1453–1469.
11. http://www.coconutboard.nic.in/stat.htm
12. http://www.fisheries.kerala.gov.in
13. IMD, 2013. State Level Climate Change. Government of India
14. Krishna Kumar K. N. (2011) “Coconut Phenology and Yield Response to Climate Variability
and Change”, Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor Of Philosophy In Atmospheric Science, Department of Atmospheric Sciences Cochin
University of Science and Technology Kochi, India
15. Naresh Kumar, Aggar P K, 2013. Climate change and coconut plantations in India: Impacts
and potential adaptation gains
44
16. National Disaster Management Authority. 2008. Management of Cyclones. National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India
17. Planning Commission. 2012. Report of the Working Group on Development and
Management of Fisheries and Aquaculture. XIIth Five-Year Plan (2012-2017). Government
of India, New Delhi.
18. Protsahan. 2004. A Status Paper 2003-2004 on Fishery Harbours: Performance, Issues
and Management Concerns. Thiruvananthapuram.
19. Rajendran K, Sajani S., Jayasankarand C. B,Kitoh A. 2013. How dependent is climate
change projection of Indian summer monsoon rainfall and extreme events on model
resolution? Current science, vol. 104, no. 10, 25 May 2013.
20. Ramesh R, Purvaraja R and Senthil Vel A. (undated) Shoreline Change Assessment for
Kerala Coast”. National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Society for
Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and Ministry for Environment Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India.
21. Sathiadhas R, Raghu R, Kanakkan A and Harshan, N K. 2000. Marine fish production and
export marketing trend in Kerala - an economic analysis. In: Marine Fisheries Research and
Management Pillai V N and Menon, N G,(eds.) CMFRI; Kochi, Kochi, pp. 876-894.
22. Sunder V and Murali K. 2007. Planning of Coastal Protection Measures along Kerala Coast
- Final Report submitted to Government of Kerala.
23. Unnikrishnan A S, Nidheesh A. G. and Lengaigne M. 2015. Sea-Level-Rise Trends Off The
Indian Coasts During The Last Two Decades. Current science, vol. 108, no. 966 5, 10 march
45
Annexures
Key Informant Interview
SAPCC Implementing Agency

Sl.No Name Designation (Department/Institutions/Boar
ds)
Prof B Madusoodana Kurup Kerala University for Fisheries and
1. Vice Chancellor
(Ph.D) Oceanography Science
Coastal Erosion Division, Department
2. Mr Ajay Kumar Executive Engineer
of Irrigation
3. Mr Harilal Officer Planning Cell, Department of Irrigation
4. Mr Prakash Thampi Deputy Director Department of Agriculture
Stakeholder consultations through workshops

Meeting held between April 29th to May 1st , 2015
Sl.No Name Designation
(Department/Institutions/Boards)
1. Mr Mara Pandiyan IAS, Principal Secretary Department of Environment (DoE)
(Nodal Officer) Director Directorate of Environment and Climate
2. Mr C S Yalakki IFS,
Change
3. Mr Keshav Mohan (Ph.D) Director ILDM and ICCS
4. Mr Prasad Additional Secretary Department of Environment
5. Mr Sreejith Section Officer Department of Environment
6. Mr K K George (Ph.D) Chairman CSES, Kochi
Gulati Institute for Finance and Taxation
7. Mr Jose Sebastian (Ph.D) Faculty
(GIFT)
8. Mr C P John Member Kerala State Planning Board
Workshop: June 9th and 10th , 2015

Directorate of Environment and Climate
1. Mr C S Yalakki IFS Director (Nodal Officer)
Change
Climate & Environment
2. Mr Aloke Barnwal DFID India
Adviser
3. Vice Chancellor
4. Mr S.C.Joshi IFS PCCF (D&PFM) Department of Forest
5. Mr S Sudevan Scientist Indian Meteorological Resource Centre
6. Mr V Prakash Tampi Joint Director Department of Agriculture
7. Mr S. Vinod Assistant Director
8. Mr S Arun Kumar Assistant Director Department Soil Survey & Soil Conservation
9. Mr B. AjithKumar Additional Director
Assistant Director
10. Dr A H Shajil
(Planning) Directorate of Animal Husbandry
11. Dr S Sunilkumar Deputy Director (Planning)
46
12. Dr C. K. Jagadeesan Assistant Director Directorate of Health Service
13. Mr Jayachandran RGPSA Panchayat Directorate
Division of Crop Improvement , Central
14. Ms Sheela M. N (Ph.D) Head
Tuber Crops Research Institute
Agency for Nonconventional Energy and
15. Mr K. Premkumar Scientist
Rural Technology (ANERT)
16. Mr G. Anil Director
17. Mr R. Harikumar (Ph.D) Head E&T, Energy Management Centre (EMC)
18. Mr B V Subhash Babu Energy Technologist
Kerala State Remote Sensing and
19. Mr Sheeja R V (Ph.D) SSA
Environment Centre (KSREC)
Academy of Climate Change Education and
20. Mr.Kurien E. K (Ph.D) Special Officer
Research, Kerala Agriculture University
Dairy Science and Technology College,
21. Dr. G. Girish Varma Dean
Veterinary University
Centre for Animal Adaptation to
22. Dr. GSLHV Prasada Rao Consultant Professor Environment and Climate Change
Studies(CAADECCS), Veterinary University
23. Mr Sanal K Assistant Director
Chief in Charge Kerala State Planning Board
24. Ms Prasanna Kumari
Decentralisation
25. Mr Sajeev S (Ph.D) Assistant Professor Institute of Management in Government
26. Ms B. G. Sreedevi (Ph.D) Director National Transportation Planning and
27. Mr Kalairasan P (Ph.D) Scientist Research Centre
Gulati Institute for Finance and Taxation
28. Mr Jose Sebastin (Ph.D) Associate Professor
(GIFT)
Department of Environment and Climate
29. Mr Thrideep Kumar Environmental Engineer
Change
30. Mr S Jaikrishnan Administrative Assistant Directorate of Urban affairs
31. Mr Sabu K Dhamodar Supdt Hydrogeologist
Executive Engineer Department of Groundwater
32. Mr Shajatnan
Hydrology
33. Ms Sreekala S Environmental Engineer Kerala State Pollution Control Board
34. Ms Preetha N (Ph.D) Programme Coordinator Kerala State Biodiversity Board
State Fisheries Resource Management
35. Mr P.Sahadevan Executive Director
Society (FIRMA)
36. Mr Ameer Shah Programme officer
Kerala Suchitha Mission
37. Mr Abraham T Renjith Programme officer
Institute for Climate Change Studies /
38. Mr Keshavmohan (Ph.D) Director
Institute of Land and Disaster Management
Scientist F & Head, Water
39. Mr P.S. Harikumar (Ph.D)
Quality division Centre for Water Resource Development
Scientist F & Head, Sub and Management (CWRDM)
40. Mr George Chackacherry (Ph.D)
centre
Coastal & Environment Division, KSCSTE,
41. Mr P. Harinarayanan (Ph.D) Scientific Officer Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority
(KCZMA)
Forest Ecology and Biodiversity
42. Mr. K.A.Sreejith (Ph.D) Scientist (Ecology) Conservation Division, Kerala Forest
Research Institute (KFRI)
43. Mr G Krishnakumar Assistant Commissioner Department of Rural Development
44. Mr K V Madanmohan Chief Executive Officer Kerala Gram Panchayat Association
47
45. Mr R Sajeev (Ph.D) Associate Professor Department of Physical Oceanography
46. Ms Arunima Guha Senior Consultant Ernst & Young
Ms Sumana Bhattacharya Climate Change (CC)
49. ACT / OPML
(Ph.D) expert /ICDS
Lead consultant for
50. Mr D. Nandakumar (Ph.D) ACT / OPML
Coastal
Interim Review Meeting: August 11th, 2015
Department/Institutions/Boards
(SAPCC Implementing Agency)
Counsellor, Head of
1 Ms Sandra Sheard British High Commission
Energy, Climate & growth
British Deputy High
2 Mr Bharat Joshi
Commissioner Chennai
British Deputy High Commission
3 Ms Vidya Soundarajan Senior Regional Adviser
4 Mr Sijoy Thomas Regional Adviser
5 Mr Roger Savage Consultant (BDHC) Atkins
GoI-UNDP Disaster Risk Reduction &
6 Mr Joe John George State Project Officer
Climate Change Adaptation Project
7 Mr P Balachandran General Manager
Assistant General NABARD
8 Mr Patrick Jasper
Manager
9 Mr C S Yallaki IFS Director (Nodal Officer)
Change
10 Vice Chancellor
Agency for Nonconventional Energy and
11 Mr Prem Kumar K Scientist
Rural Technology (ANERT)
Scientist F & Head
Mr N B Narasimha Prasad Centre for Water Resource Development
12 Hydrogeology &
(Ph.D) and Management (CWRDM)
Geophysics
13 Mr Dinesan Cheruvat (Ph.D) Joint Director Department of Fisheries
Executive engineer
14 Mr Shajatnan Department of Groundwater
(Hydrology
Managing Director,
15 Mr M Raghudasan Department of Tourism
Corporation Bekal resorts
Department of Tourism, Kerala Institute of
16 Ms Rajashree Ajith (Ph.D) Director
Tourism & Travel Studies
Additional Director Health
17 Dr Parvathy A Y Directorate of Health Service
Services
18 Mr Sudevan S Scientist Indian Meteorological Resource Centre
19 Mr Abraham Koshy Executive Engineer Irrigation Department
48
Interim Review Meeting: August 11th, 2015
Department/Institutions/Boards
(SAPCC Implementing Agency)
Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority
20 Mr Kamalakshan Kokkal (Ph.D) Joint Director
(KCZMA)
21 Ms Sreekala S Environmental Engineer Kerala State Pollution Control Board
22 Ms N Preetha (Ph.D) Technical Associate
Kerala State Biodiversity Board
23 Ms Linda John (Ph.D) Principal Scientific Officer
24 Mr Padmakumar G Executive Engineer Kerala State Electricity Board Limited
25 Ms V G Rekha Deputy Chief Engineer
Kerala Water Authority
26 Mr Gokul Satharaj Executive Engineer
National Transportation Planning and
27 M Kalairasan P (Ph.D) Scientist
Research Centre
State Fisheries Resource Management
28 Mr P.Sahadevan Executive Director
Society (FIRMA)
29 Ms Saheena J Asst Director
Department of Agriculture
30 Ms Priya P V Technical Assistant
31 Mr Dharesan Unnithan Director Energy Management Centre (EMC)
32 Dr C. K. Jagadeesan Assistant Director Directorate of Health Service
Institute for Climate Change Studies /
33 Mr Amal Raj M Asst Professor
Institute of Land and Disaster Management
Academy of Climate Change Education and
34 Mr.Kurien E. K (Ph.D) Special Officer
Research, Kerala Agriculture University
35 Mr Thrideep Kumar Environmental Engineer
Change
India Programme
36 Ms Pamposh Bhat ACT / OPML
Manager
37 Mr Kit Nicholson Core Team member, ACT / OPML
Ms Sumana Bhattacharya Climate Change (CC)
38 ACT / OPML
(Ph.D) expert /ICDS
Public Finance
39
Mr K. K. Krishnakumar Management Expert / ACT / OPML
CSES
Lead consultant for
40 Mr D. Nandakumar (Ph.D) ACT / OPML
Coastal
Technical Expert Kerala,
41 Mr Jerin Thomas Abraham ACT / OPML
DFID-CCIP
Ms. Mariamma Sanu George Team Leader Kerala, DFID-
42 ACT / OPML
(Nirmala) CCIP
49
For more details:
Mariamma Sanu George (Nirmala)

Team Leader – Kerala
Mobile: +919995439611, +919447703399
Email: nirmala.sanu@actiononclimate.today
Jerin Thomas Abraham

Technical Expert
Mobile: +919497268508
Email: jerin.abraham@actiononclimate.today
State Office: Kerala

Action on Climate Today (ACT) - South Asia
DFID - Climate Change Innovation Programme – India
T.C. 2/2445, 2nd Floor, Above Srishti Architects, Pattom Palace P.O., Trivandrum, Kerala 695004, India
Regional Office: New Delhi

Action on Climate Today (ACT) - South Asia
Oxford Policy Management Ltd, 4/6 First Floor, Siri Fort Institutional Area, New Delhi 110049, India
www.actiononclimate.today
Email: info@actiononclimate.today
50
www.actiononclimate.today
51

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Assessment of Policies Managing the Key Economic Drivers

of Vulnerability along Coastal Kerala due to Climate Change

ACTION ON CLIMATE TODAY

Climate Change Innovation Programme (CCIP) India

Technical Support by the UK Department for International Development (DFID)

Reprinted in January 2017

Abbreviations and Acronyms..................................................................................................... 7

Table 1 Changes in climate parameters observed in Kerala between 1951-2010 .................. 13

Kerala's Coastal Vulnerabilities:

Table 1 Changes in climate parameters observed in Kerala between 1951-2010

Minimum Temperature +0.01oC/year

2.2 Sea Level Rise

7 IMD, 2013. State Level Climate Change. GoI

2.3 Increasing Sea Surface Temperature

2.4 Cyclones and Storm surges

2.5 Climate Change and increasing salinity

The trends of multiple number of hydrometeorological parameters associated with Kerala

Table 2 Projected changes in climate parameter16

4.1 Coastal Fisheries

Coastal fish catch by Type (million tons)

Rice production in million tons

Sl.No. Institutions Functions

6. Technical guidance Agency for Development of Aquaculture, Kerala (ADAK)

5.2 Rice Cultivation

A brief description of the various functions, institutions involved.

Sl.No. Institutions Functions

It is done through the Paddy Board, established in 2008.

The State Government has constituted 11-Paddy

Was overcome by forming Group farming samithi’s/

Figure 6: Agencies governing rice cultivation in coastal Kerala

Summary of the policies reviewed governing Coastal and Fisheries sector

1. Fisheries Sector Development Conservation Policy, 2004

2. Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011

sustainable manner, declare the relevant in the context of climate

3 Tourism policy, 2012

Key Policy Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation

Key Policy Element Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation

5. Kerala Scientific Mining Policy, 2015 (draft)

Key Policy Element Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation

Key Policy Element Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation actions

6.2 Rice Cultivation

Figure 8: Multiple drivers impacting coastal rice cultivation

Summary of the policies reviewed governing agriculture sector

Key Policy Element Suggested Approach Suggested Climate Adaptation

28 GoK, 2013. Draft Agriculture Development Policy.

3. Agricultural Policy - Policies related to Water

5. Agricultural Policy - ICT related Policies

ICT enabled weather An integrated approach 1. The department of agriculture has to

Lease Land group farming 2. KSHG should be brought under

11.Policies on Crop Husbandry

Table 5: Coconut production policies analysed through a climate lens

Expansion of area under Considering land 3. High yielding dwarf varieties

1. Strategies and actions for climate resilient coastal fisheries:

3. Proposed activities for strengthening coconut cultivation

Figure 9: Schematic diagram of an integrated approach to climate change adaptation in

No. Work package (WP) How

2. Organic certification This can be done by propagating organic wetland paddy

3. Ensuring income in a Fiscal mechanisms can be explored that can compensate

4. Designing payment As the Agriculture policy prescribes, conservation of

10. Strengthening This work would involve assessment of strength and

2. Bijukumar A. (undated). Coastal Environment and Biodiversity Conservation in Kerala in the

4. Coconut Development Board. 2013. Concurrent estimation of coconut production in Kerala

5. Department of Agriculture. 2013. Facts and Figures of Agriculture in Kerala, 2013.