Environment minister chairs NCSCM general body meeting, reviews coastal and marine research priorities
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav chairs the third general body meeting of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, in New Delhi on Friday.
New Delhi, December 13: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Friday chaired the third general body meeting of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, reviewing the institute’s scientific contributions and setting priorities for conservation, climate resilience and sustainable management of India’s coastal and marine ecosystems.
Senior officials from the ministry, members of the general body, and eminent scientists and experts in coastal and marine research participated in the meeting.
During the review, the minister examined NCSCM’s work across key thematic areas, including coastal ecosystem assessment, marine habitat restoration, climate change adaptation, pollution management, island ecosystems, geospatial technology, coastal processes, marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management.
The general body directed the institute to strengthen institutional capabilities, enhance scientific rigour across programmes and expand collaboration with coastal communities and traditional knowledge holders. Emphasis was placed on deeper integration of science, policy and community participation across research and capacity-building initiatives.
The meeting also directed NCSCM to finalise its vision document in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
A key focus area was strengthening the scientific cadre of the institute. The general body called for filling critical scientific positions, bringing in fresh talent and finalising the human resource policy and recruitment rules at the earliest to address emerging coastal and marine challenges. The importance of engaging eco-clubs, universities and local institutions to promote scientific learning and field-based research was also highlighted.
Members were briefed on quality accreditations received by NCSCM laboratories from the Quality Council of India, including certifications from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training, along with accreditations from the Central Pollution Control Board and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
NCSCM is a key implementing partner for National Coastal Mission 2.0 and is currently engaged in research and consultancy projects for state governments, union territory administrations and international organisations. The institute has completed 79 coastal regulation zone and shoreline management projects and is currently handling 291 projects.
On the occasion, three knowledge products developed by NCSCM were released: a protocol for assessment of mangrove forest structure, a mangroves fact sheet and a salt marsh fact sheet. These resources aim to support restoration planning, long-term monitoring, awareness building and evidence-based decision-making for coastal ecosystem conservation.
