Climate-Induced Displacement: Key Reasons & Consequences

Climate change is drastically altering India’s 7,500 km coastline, with over 34% already facing erosion. Rising sea levels, projected to increase by 0.3–0.7 meters by 2100 (IPCC), along with saltwater intrusion and unregulated development, are displacing traditional farming and fishing communities.
Over 3 million people in low-lying coastal areas are at risk, many of whom are being pushed into insecure urban jobs lacking legal protection or state support.

Climate Induced Displacement: Current Facts and Data

Coastal Erosion Extent	Over 33.6% of India’s 7,500 km coastline is eroding, posing a threat to coastal settlements.
Annual Climate Displacement	3.6 million Indians are displaced each year due to disasters including coastal hazards.
Future Risk Projection	An estimated 45 million Indians may be displaced by 2050 due to sea-level rise and flooding.
Urban Risk	Mumbai could lose more than 10% of its land by 2040, with sea levels rising up to 76 cm by 2100.

Key Reasons for Displacement

Sea-Level Rise: Due to a surge in coastal water levels caused by climate anomalies, e.g., Coastal community relocation in Satabhaya, Odisha.
Coastal Degradation: In Karnataka’s Honnavar taluk, traditional fishing communities face displacement as ports, tourism projects, and mangrove destruction accelerate coastal degradation.
Flooding: Coastal flooding during monsoon rainfall has been a common phenomenon in areas such as Tamil Nadu (Nagapattinam), Gujarat (Kutch), and Kerala.
Infrastructure: Industrial expansion and port development have accelerated coastal degradation by deliberately clearing mangrove forests, dunes, and wetlands that traditionally protected communities.
Weaponisation of Climate Change: Narrative of voluntary retreat from ecologically sensitive areas like coasts as part of climate action, without any strategy.

Legal Lacunae

Lack of Legal Access: Coastal communities have limited access to protective laws. E.g., labour laws, the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act, etc.
No Specific Legal Status: Climate migrants are protected under Article 21, but don’t get reference in any laws like the Disaster Management Act, Environmental Protection Act, etc.
Missing Rehabilitation Strategy: NAPCC and state plans acknowledge climate risks but lack concrete frameworks for resettling displaced populations
CRZ 2019 Priorities Skewed: Though aimed at sustainable management, CRZ 2019 favours tourism and industry over community rights.
Violation of Informed Consent: The legal principle of ‘informed consent,’ as outlined in environmental laws, is often violated.
Judicial Oversight Ignored: Lack of legal amendments to incorporate judicial observations has denied complete justice.
- M.C. Mehta Case: SC acknowledged and recognised the intrinsic link between the environment and fundamental rights (Article 21).

Consequences

Social impact: Displaced communities lack basic amenities like water, education, & shelter, denying them a dignified life. Women and children face social challenges like prostitution, illiteracy, & hunger.
Economic impact: Displaced people work in the informal economy as construction workers and guards, often for low pay, and face bonded labour in coastal urban areas like Mumbai and Chennai.
Intimidation: Activists who fight for their rights face criminalisation, surveillance, & life threats very often.

Way Forward

Legal Recognition: Enact policies to recognise climate-induced displacement and extend welfare entitlements such as housing and healthcare.
Strengthen CRZ and EIA: Reinforce Coastal Regulation Zones and integrate climate risk into environmental assessments.
Community-Led Adaptation: Promote mangrove reforestation and sustainable coastal livelihoods using local knowledge. E.g., Pattuvam, Kerala: Community-managed mangroves enhance flood resilience.
Resilient Urban Planning: Improve rehabilitation colonies with basic services, land tenure rights, and skill-building programs.
Gender-Sensitive Interventions: Prioritise women and children in social protection and livelihood schemes.
Climate Finance and Governance: Leverage Green Climate Fund & decentralise adaptation planning through Panchayats. E.g., the Sundarbans, which are MGNREGS-funded, enhance local climate resilience.

Climate-induced displacement is a human rights and development crisis that demands a rights-based, inclusive response. As UN Chief António Guterres warns, “Climate change is the defining issue of our time,” and India must act with urgency and equity.

Reference: The Hindu

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 247

Q. Examine the socio-economic impact of Climate change-induced displacement on India’s coastal region and suggest strategies to address this growing crisis. (150 Words) (10 Marks)

Approach

Introduction: Write briefly about the climate-induced displacement by mentioning the future projections.
Body: Write the socio-economic impact of Climate change-induced displacement and suggest strategies to address this growing crisis.
Conclusion: Emphasis on rights-based, inclusive and resilient policy approach to dignity and climate justice for coastal communities.