Coastal Vulnerabilities in India: A Review of the Impacts of Climate Change, Urbanization, and Demographic Shifts

Aswathy Chandra C H, Dr. Suchithra Devi S

Abstract: This study investigates the compounded vulnerabilities of India?s coastal regions to climate change, shaped by the intersecting forces of rapid urbanization, demographic transitions, and environmental degradation. With more than 250 million people residing along the country's extensive coastline, these regions are increasingly exposed to the impacts of rising sea levels, intensifying extreme weather events, and the progressive loss of critical ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs. The research centers on urban hubs including Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, examining how unregulated urban expansion?particularly the proliferation of informal settlements?exacerbates exposure to climate-related risks and strains existing infrastructure. Through a comprehensive review of recent scholarly literature, the study reveals that urban development in coastal areas has outpaced the growth of resilient infrastructure, leaving populations more vulnerable to environmental hazards. Migration toward urban coastal centers has led to densely populated, hazard-prone settlements, intensifying socio-economic inequalities and limiting access to adaptive resources. The degradation of coastal ecosystems has undermined natural protective barriers, reduced biodiversity, and threatened the livelihoods of communities dependent on agriculture and fisheries. Furthermore, rising sea levels and coastal erosion endanger critical land, infrastructure, and food systems, particularly in states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events especially cyclones have had disproportionately severe impacts on marginalized groups, including women and children, further highlighting the intersection of environmental vulnerability and social inequity. The study identifies significant policy gaps in India?s current climate adaptation strategies and stresses the urgency of integrated responses that align sustainable urban planning with ecosystem restoration and disaster risk reduction. It argues for inclusive, region-specific approaches that strengthen the resilience of coastal populations while preserving vital environmental systems. The findings offer a foundational framework for the formulation of holistic and forward-looking climate adaptation and coastal management policies in India, aimed at mitigating the socio-economic and ecological consequences of climate change in these critical and increasingly vulnerable regions.

Keywords: climate changes, climate risk, vulnerabilities, demographic shift, urbanization