India’s coastline, stretching between 11,000 and 12,000 kilometres, must be managed as a unified system that balances environmental protection, security, economic growth, technology and human welfare, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences. Speaking at the National Conference on Coastal Ecology, Security and Sustainability (CCESS) 2026, he called for breaking down departmental silos to tackle coastal challenges through one integrated strategy.
What India’s Coastline Offers
India’s long coastline ranks among the world’s longest and holds substantial untapped potential for marine resources and what the government terms the “Blue Economy”. The country is moving forward with the Deep Ocean Mission to explore deep-sea resources while building domestic research capacity. A wholly indigenous research vessel, ORV Sagar Manthan, has recently been launched. India is developing robots and submersibles to access ocean depths.
Marine minerals, metals and fisheries represent significant economic opportunities. The Ministry is exploring possibilities such as extracting marine minerals and expanding fisheries output, alongside efforts to boost livelihoods of coastal communities who depend on these resources.
Technology and Security Dimensions
Ocean observation systems, surveillance networks, communication infrastructure, remote sensing and data analytics can strengthen India’s coastal security and environmental awareness. However, the Minister stressed that these technological tools must function as part of a unified framework rather than in separate operations.
The Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar Campaign
A citizen-led cleanliness drive has been running for five years. A 75-day campaign took place in 2022 involving coastal States. The initiative will continue from 12 September to 19 September this year, featuring clean-up drives, participation from NGOs and a public pledge to maintain coastline cleanliness.
What This Means for You
If you live in a coastal region, policy decisions affecting fishing rights, employment and environmental quality will increasingly be shaped by this integrated approach rather than separate government departments acting alone. Students and researchers in marine sciences may find expanding opportunities through the Deep Ocean Mission and related initiatives. Citizens are being invited to participate in coastal conservation through the Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar campaign.