DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (ESMF)

About: 

• Bodies involved: The draft Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is part of a World Bank-funded project. The document was prepared by the Society for Integrated Coastal Management, an Environment Ministry-affiliated body.
  
  
• Background: So far three coastal States, namely Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal, have prepared Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plans with support from the World Bank. Such plans would be prepared for the selected coastal stretches in other States/UT.
  
  
• The document lays out guidelines out for coastal States to adopt when they approve and regulate projects in coastal zones.
  
  
• The key activities proposed for coastal zone development that consist of investments by States include: mangrove afforestation/shelter beds, habitat conservation activities such as restoration of sea-grass meadows, rearing/rescue centres for turtles and other marine animals, creation of infrastructure for tourism, beach cleaning and development etc.
  
  
• Livelihood improvement projects include demonstration of salinity resistant agriculture, water harvesting and recharge/storage, community-based small-scale mariculture, aquaponics, and value addition to other livelihood activities.