The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $42 million loan to strengthen coastal and riverbank protection ecosystems in Maharashtra, India.
In an official statement, ADB said the loan would increase the resilience of local communities and natural ecosystems. The Maharashtra Sustainable Climate-Resilient Coastal Protection and Management Project will address coastal erosion and riverbank protection through solutions such as offshore reefs, sheet piles, beach nourishment, and vegetation planting.
"The project will demonstrate the benefits of adopting new hybrid engineering approaches like offshore reef construction and rock protection works, alongside nature-based solutions such as beach and dune nourishment," said Marie L'Hostis, ADB Water Resources Specialist.
The initiative will also build the capacity of the Maharashtra Maritime Board in shore management planning, including setting up a coastal infrastructure management unit. Additionally, it will support capacity building in gender equality, social inclusion, and livelihood activities related to coastal management.
ADB Senior Climate Change Specialist (Coastal Adaptation) Alessio Giardino said the project responds to Maharashtra's climate adaptation needs as outlined in the state's Shoreline Management Plan.
The project addresses climate change threats, including rising sea levels and increasing coastal erosion, through flexible nature-based and hybrid solutions designed to adapt to different climate scenarios.
The project builds on ADB's earlier Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Programme, and aims to enhance fisheries, tourism, and the participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in coastal zone management.
Established in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members, with 49 from the region. Its mission is to promote a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while working to eradicate extreme poverty.
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