The ocean, often referred to as the planet's lifeblood, covers over 70% of the Earth's surface, connecting continents, shaping climates and nurturing diverse ecosystems. For a country like India, with its vast coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometres and a maritime expanse exceeding 2 million square kilometres, the ocean is often promoted as a potential economic powerhouse, the very foundation of a "blue economy".Though, at the outset, the concept of promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, job creation and climate resilience, sounds appealing, a closer look at its implementation raises serious environmental and social concerns.
India’s blue economy encompasses multiple sectors, including fisheries, coastal tourism, offshore energy and resource extraction. These industries provide economic benefits but also pose severe sustainability challenges. Coastal communities depend on these marine resources for survival, with the fisheries sector alone employing over 14 million people and contributing 1.24% to the nation's Gross Value Added (GVA). However, overfishing and habitat destruction are rapidly endangering marine biodiversity. Additionally, coastal tourism fuels growth but leads to pollution, habitat degradation and resource depletion. Offshore wind projects and deep-sea mining promise energy security and mineral wealth, yet they risk disrupting fragile ecosystems. A critical examination of these activities reveals that economic expansion is often prioritised over ecology, obscuring the potential for catastrophic environmental damage and displacement of traditional communities.
Unregulated risks of deep-sea mining, overfishing and offshore wind projects.
Blue economy promotes the exploitation of ocean resources like hydrocarbons, minerals and offshore wind energy for economic gain, but it comes with serious sustainability challenges. Deep-sea mining in India’s EEZ threatens fragile ecosystems, releasing toxic sediments and endangering biodiversity. Offshore wind projects, while promising, risk disrupting marine life and fishing industries. Meanwhile, coastal and marine environments face growing threats from pollution, overfishing and unsustainable extraction. Plastic waste, oil spills and untreated sewage degrade marine health, while overfishing destabilises food chains. Without responsible, science-based approaches, the environmental costs of these activities may far outweigh their benefits, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations and protective measures
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
The 2018 CRZ Notification has significantly relaxed protections for India's coastal ecosystems, favouring real estate and large-scale development. Previously restricted areas, such as ecologically sensitive zones, are now open to tourism and infrastructure projects, including mangrove walks, tree huts and roads on stilts. The notification also permits land reclamation for commercial purposes, potentially leading to increased vulnerability to erosion, cyclones and sea-level rise. Critics argue that these changes prioritise economic growth over environmental conservation and the safety of coastal communities
Other gaps in coastal sustainability:
While the notion of integrating green goals into coastal policies is gaining traction with concepts like "sustainable coastal tourism" and improved waste management, these initiatives often fall short in practice. Coastal tourism puts immense pressure on local resources, leading to pollution, habitat destruction and overfishing. Unregulated infrastructure projects accelerate coastal erosion, while tourism-related waste strains local sewage systems. Cruise tourism and eco-cruises further degrade marine ecosystems. The increase in transportation also contributes to climate change and rising sea levels. While tourism offers economic benefits, it often leaves local communities with higher living costs and less access to resources. Cultural disruption and social conflicts arise, as traditional lifestyles are undermined. The sector’s seasonal nature leads to job instability and short-term profit motives often overshadow long-term sustainability, highlighting the need for balanced, sustainable management
Rethinking the Blue Economy
We must be extremely cautious regarding India's blue economy. While it has been framed as a positive model, we must recognise its limitations and potential to cause irreparable harm. We cannot be swayed by optimistic portrayals when reality paints a picture of environmental degradation and social inequity. Any so-called "development" that ignores these fundamental realities is built on sand.
Instead of uncritically endorsing the blue economy, we must advocate for ecological sustainability by making the health of marine ecosystems the core concern, rather than economic growth at all costs. Coastal communities, with their invaluable traditional knowledge and livelihoods, should be empowered and fully integrated into any sustainable development plan. This must be supported by stronger environmental regulations, with strict enforcement and real-time, transparent monitoring. Additionally, investing in scientific research and data collection is crucial to truly understanding the complexities of marine ecosystems and developing effective conservation strategies. Ultimately, we must shift to a sustainable development paradigm that focuses on a more equitable and ecological way of development, rather than pursuing rapid, unsustainable growth.
The ocean is too important to be treated simply as an economic opportunity. We must approach it with humility, respect and a deep understanding of its fragility. The rosy picture of a "blue economy" is misleading and we must proceed with extreme caution, if at all.