Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

 Lecture - 25

 

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

Introduction to ICZM

·        ICZM is a multidisciplinary process to promote sustainable coastal development by integrating environmental, economic, and social objectives.

·        Importance for Bangladesh:

·        710 km long coastline, 19 coastal districts

·        High exposure to cyclones, salinity, erosion

·        Dense population and dependence on natural resources

·        Major challenges include sea level rise, pollution, biodiversity loss, and institutional overlap.

Principles and Objectives of ICZM

·        Principles:
  - Integration across sectors, disciplines, and governance levels
  - Ecosystem-based management and precautionary approach
  - Participatory decision-making
  - Adaptive and flexible planning

·        Objectives:
  - Sustainable use of coastal resources
  - Risk reduction and climate change adaptation
  - Enhancing coastal livelihoods and environmental health

Coastal Systems and Stakeholders in Bangladesh

·        Coastal Systems:
  - Estuaries: Meghna, Ganges, Brahmaputra
  - Islands: Bhola, Sandwip, Kutubdia
  - Mangroves: Sundarbans (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

·        Stakeholders:
  - Government agencies (WARPO, DoE, BWDB)
  - Local governments, communities, NGOs, private sector
  - Fishermen, farmers, tourism operators

Institutional and Legal Framework in Bangladesh

·        Policies and Frameworks:
  - Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100
  - Coastal Zone Policy 2005
  - Draft ICZM Policy 2005 

·        Key Institutions:
  - Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO)
  - Department of Environment (DoE)
  - Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB)

Case Study: ICZM Program in Bangladesh

·        Initiated in early 2000s with Dutch support

·        Objectives: poverty reduction, resilience, participatory governance

·        Achievements: coastal knowledge base, pilot projects, data platforms

Planning, Tools, and Implementation of ICZM

ICZM Planning Process

1.     Initiation and Preparation

·         Identify problems and opportunities in the coastal zone.

·         Establish institutional arrangements (committees, stakeholders, lead agencies).

·         Define scope and objectives of the ICZM program.

·         Secure political will and funding.

2.     Baseline Analysis

·         Collect data on physical, ecological, social, and economic conditions.

·         Assess existing policies, laws, and institutional capacities.

·         Map stakeholders and their interests.

·         Identify coastal issues (e.g., erosion, habitat loss, pollution, overdevelopment).

 

3.     Setting Goals and Indicators

·         Develop vision, goals, and measurable objectives.

·         Set sustainability indicators to track progress (e.g., biodiversity index, water quality, land-use change).

 

4.     Strategy Development and Planning

·         Formulate alternative scenarios or strategies.

·         Evaluate trade-offs among competing uses (e.g., tourism vs. conservation).

·         Prepare an integrated coastal zone management plan:

o    Zoning

o    Policy measures

o    Institutional mechanisms

o    Conflict resolution methods

 

5.     Implementation

·         Establish legal and institutional frameworks to enforce the plan.

·         Carry out programs and projects (e.g., mangrove restoration, erosion control).

·         Foster stakeholder participation and capacity building.

·         Ensure inter-agency coordination.

 

6.     Monitoring and Evaluation

·         Monitor implementation effectiveness using defined indicators.

·         Evaluate outcomes relative to set goals.

·         Adapt plans and strategies based on new information (adaptive management).

 

7.     Feedback and Revision

·         Use results from monitoring and evaluation to:

o    Adjust strategies as needed.

o    Improve participation and coordination mechanisms.

o    Revise goals and policies for continuous improvement.

Challenges of ICZM in Bangladesh

 

1.     Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

• Increased flooding, salinity intrusion, and coastal erosion.
• Permanent loss of land and displacement of coastal communities.
• Frequent cyclones and storm surges damaging infrastructure and ecosystems.

 

2.     Institutional Fragmentation

• Multiple overlapping agencies (WARPO, BWDB, DoE, LGED, etc.) with poor coordination.
• Lack of a centralized authority for coastal management.
• Gaps between policy-making and implementation.

 

3.     Resource Constraints

• Insufficient funding for long-term coastal planning and infrastructure.
• Limited technical capacity for data collection, GIS mapping, and monitoring.
• Inadequate local government capacity in implementing ICZM strategies.

 

4.     Data and Knowledge Gaps

• Inconsistent or outdated coastal data.
• Lack of integrated databases and decision-support systems.
• Limited community-based research and indigenous knowledge integration.

 

5.     Environmental Degradation

• Loss of mangroves, wetlands, and biodiversity due to land conversion and shrimp farming.
• Pollution from industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources.
• Overexploitation of coastal and marine resources (fishery depletion, sand mining).

 

6.     Livelihood Vulnerabilities

• Coastal populations highly dependent on climate-sensitive sectors: agriculture, fisheries, salt farming.
• High levels of poverty, limited job alternatives, and seasonal migration.
• Gender and social inequalities in decision-making and resource access.

 

7.     Legal and Policy Issues

• Weak enforcement of coastal zone regulations.
• Conflicts between development projects and environmental laws (e.g., unplanned tourism, ports).
• Lack of local stakeholder involvement in policymaking.

 

8.     Implementation and Sustainability

• ICZM often implemented as short-term donor-driven projects rather than sustained national strategies.
• Challenges in mainstreaming ICZM into national and local development plans (e.g., Delta Plan 2100 still evolving).
• Limited monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

 

Tools and Techniques in ICZM

 

-         GIS and Remote Sensing: Land use, erosion, flooding zones

-         Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

-         Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI)

-         Decision Support Systems (e.g., WARPO's Coastal Database)

Climate Change and ICZM

Key Climate Change Impacts on Coastal Bangladesh

1.     Sea Level Rise

o    Inundation of low-lying lands

o    Salinity intrusion into freshwater and agricultural land

o    Displacement of coastal communities

2.     Increased Cyclone Frequency and Intensity

o    Coastal infrastructure damage

o    Erosion of embankments

o    Higher casualties and economic loss

3.     Storm Surges

o    Sudden flooding of chars and estuarine areas

o    Damage to crops, livestock, and homes

4.     Salinity Intrusion

o    Reduced agricultural productivity

o    Contamination of drinking water

o    Damage to mangroves and aquatic life

5.     Riverbank Erosion

o    Loss of land and habitat

o    Migration and livelihood disruption

How ICZM Addresses Climate Change in Bangladesh

 

ICZM in Practice – Global and Local Perspectives

Global Perspectives on ICZM

Key International Frameworks & Initiatives

• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – SDG 14 ("Life Below Water") emphasizes marine conservation, while other goals (e.g., SDG 11 on sustainable cities) support ICZM.
• The Ramsar Convention – Protects wetlands, crucial for coastal biodiversity.
• UNEP’s Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) – A regional ICZM effort under the Barcelona Convention.
• EU ICZM Recommendation (2002/413/EC) – Encourages EU member states to adopt ICZM principles.
• World Bank & GEF Projects – Fund ICZM programs in developing nations (e.g., West Africa, Southeast Asia).

Global Challenges in ICZM Implementation

• Climate Change & Sea-Level Rise – Require adaptive management strategies.
• Conflicting Resource Use – Competition between tourism, fisheries, and industry.
• Transboundary Issues – Pollution and habitat degradation often cross borders.
• Funding & Governance Gaps – Weak enforcement in some regions.

Local Perspectives & Case Studies

Successful ICZM Case Studies

A. The Netherlands – Adaptive Delta Management

• Approach: Combines hard engineering (dikes, storm surge barriers) with nature-based solutions (sand nourishment, wetland restoration).
• Key Lesson: Long-term planning with climate adaptation in mind.

B. Belize – Coastal Zoning & Marine Reserves

• Approach: Managed use zones for fishing, tourism, and conservation (e.g., Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System).
• Key Lesson: Stakeholder engagement (fishers, tourism operators) ensures compliance.

C. Kerala, India – Community-Based Coastal Management

• Approach: Local fisher communities participate in mangrove restoration and disaster resilience programs.
• Key Lesson: Empowering local communities enhances sustainability.

D. USA (Louisiana) – Mississippi River Delta Restoration

• Approach: Sediment diversion projects to rebuild wetlands lost due to subsidence and oil extraction.
• Key Lesson: Large-scale ecosystem restoration requires strong policy and funding.

E.  Bangladesh projects:

·         Char Development and Settlement Project (CDSP)

·         Delta Plan 2100

Best Practices for Effective ICZM

 

1.     Stakeholder Engagement – Involve communities, businesses, and governments in decision-making.

2.     Ecosystem-Based Management – Protect natural buffers (e.g., mangroves, dunes) for resilience.

3.     Adaptive Management – Monitor and adjust policies based on changing conditions.

4.     Integrated Land-Sea Planning – Address watershed and marine impacts together.

5.     Strong Legal & Institutional Frameworks – Clear policies with enforcement mechanisms.

 

Key Takeaways

 

·        ICZM is essential for balancing development and conservation in Bangladesh’s coastal zones.

·        Requires cross-sector coordination, local engagement, and robust data systems.

·        ICZM supports climate resilience, livelihood security, and sustainable use of coastal ecosystems.

 

Necessary Note:

Guidelines for Integrated Coastal Zone Management.