With reference to a coastal landscape beyond the UK, assess the role of human
intervention in shaping the physical environment.
The Odisha coastline has been shaped by both natural and human interventions.
Human activities have had a significant impact on the physical environment of the
area, with the construction of ports and harbours, as well as the development of
coastal towns and cities, leading to extensive coastal erosion and degradation of
mangrove forests.
Traditional approaches to coastal flood and erosion risk have included hard and
soft engineering. Hard engineering techniques, such as the construction of sea
walls and groynes, have been used extensively along the Odisha coastline to
protect coastal settlements and infrastructure from storm surges and coastal
erosion. However, these interventions can be expensive and have negative
impacts on the natural environment, including increased erosion in adjacent
areas.
Sustainable approaches to coastal flood risk and coastal erosion management
have included shoreline management and integrated coastal zone management.
These approaches aim to take a more holistic view of the coastline and consider
the interactions between different parts of the system, including human activities
and natural processes. For example, the Indian government's Integrated Coastal
Zone Management Plan for the Odisha coast seeks to balance conservation and
development objectives, including the protection of mangroves and the promotion
of sustainable livelihoods.
Recent and predicted climate change is also likely to have significant impacts on
the Odisha coastline, with sea-level rise and increased storm surges posing
significant threats to coastal infrastructure and communities. Without concerted,
integrated and consistent action, the existence of coastal areas could be under
serious threat. The Bengali people have years of experience of adapting to
changing environmental conditions caused by shifting river channels, land
creation and erosion, and the impacts of floods, cyclones, and storm surges.
The government of India has implemented a number of interventions to counter
the foreseen impacts of sea-level rise during the 21st century. These interventions
include the maintenance of freshwater flow to western parts of the Ganges Tidal
Floodplain in order to prevent the saltwater front from moving further inland.
Embankments have been raised and strengthened as sea-level rises, and raised
mounds or banks have been used to grow crops to retain farmland in the event of
saltwater ingress.
In conclusion, human intervention has had a significant impact on the physical
environment of the Odisha coastline, with both positive and negative effects.
While traditional approaches to coastal flood and erosion risk have been effective
in protecting coastal settlements and infrastructure, sustainable approaches are
required to balance conservation and development objectives. With increasing
impacts from climate change, it is important that interventions are implemented
that take a holistic view of the coastline and consider the interactions between
different parts of the system.
My score Actual score:
Examiner feedback:
intervention in shaping the physical environment.
The Odisha coastline has been shaped by both natural and human interventions.
Human activities have had a significant impact on the physical environment of the
area, with the construction of ports and harbours, as well as the development of
coastal towns and cities, leading to extensive coastal erosion and degradation of
mangrove forests.
Traditional approaches to coastal flood and erosion risk have included hard and
soft engineering. Hard engineering techniques, such as the construction of sea
walls and groynes, have been used extensively along the Odisha coastline to
protect coastal settlements and infrastructure from storm surges and coastal
erosion. However, these interventions can be expensive and have negative
impacts on the natural environment, including increased erosion in adjacent
areas.
Sustainable approaches to coastal flood risk and coastal erosion management
have included shoreline management and integrated coastal zone management.
These approaches aim to take a more holistic view of the coastline and consider
the interactions between different parts of the system, including human activities
and natural processes. For example, the Indian government's Integrated Coastal
Zone Management Plan for the Odisha coast seeks to balance conservation and
development objectives, including the protection of mangroves and the promotion
of sustainable livelihoods.
Recent and predicted climate change is also likely to have significant impacts on
the Odisha coastline, with sea-level rise and increased storm surges posing
significant threats to coastal infrastructure and communities. Without concerted,
integrated and consistent action, the existence of coastal areas could be under
serious threat. The Bengali people have years of experience of adapting to
changing environmental conditions caused by shifting river channels, land
creation and erosion, and the impacts of floods, cyclones, and storm surges.
The government of India has implemented a number of interventions to counter
the foreseen impacts of sea-level rise during the 21st century. These interventions
include the maintenance of freshwater flow to western parts of the Ganges Tidal
Floodplain in order to prevent the saltwater front from moving further inland.
Embankments have been raised and strengthened as sea-level rises, and raised
mounds or banks have been used to grow crops to retain farmland in the event of
saltwater ingress.
In conclusion, human intervention has had a significant impact on the physical
environment of the Odisha coastline, with both positive and negative effects.
While traditional approaches to coastal flood and erosion risk have been effective
in protecting coastal settlements and infrastructure, sustainable approaches are
required to balance conservation and development objectives. With increasing
impacts from climate change, it is important that interventions are implemented
that take a holistic view of the coastline and consider the interactions between
different parts of the system.
My score Actual score:
Examiner feedback:
