14000 sq km land at risk due to sea level rise: Report
According to a report in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, Indian subcontinent may lost 14,000 square km of land with a rise of one metre of sea level due to climate change.
June 18, 2013 / 15:00 IST
The Indian subcontinent may lose close to 14000 sq km of land with rise of a one metre of sea level due to climate change, a study has warned.
"Total areal loss due to marine intrusion into coastal areas of the Indian subcontinent is estimated at approximately 13,973 sq km and 60,497 sq km of land area under 1m (metre) and 6m sea-level rise scenarios, respectively," says a report published in the latest issue of Journal of Threatened Taxa. Also read: Extreme global warming seen further away than thoughtPrepared by a group of ecologists led by Dr M Zafar-ul Islam, the study presents an overview of potential consequences of 1m and 6m sea level rise for coastal conservation areas on the Indian subcontinent. Sea level is rising due to thermal expansion of the ocean, mountain glacier melting, and discharge from ice sheets as a result of global warming. Several coastal eco-regions and conservation areas are predicted to lose over half of their land areas to marine intrusion, particularly under the 6m sea level rise scenario. The report warns that marine intrusion might affect 18 of the 48 eco-regions in India. "Under the 1m sea level rise scenario, estimates of eco-region inundation range from 19 percent to 59 percent. While under the 6m sea level rise scenario, estimates of eco-region inundation range from 27.58 percent," it says. Under the 1m sea level rise scenario, the Godavari-Krishna mangrove eco-region is predicted to lose more than a quarter of its area, while the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sundarbans in West Bengal is predicted to lose more than half of its area. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
