Investigation of port intervention to coastal and nearshore dynamics: a GIS and AHP approach

The goal of the study was attempted to understand the impact of selected ports on the coastal and nearshore dynamics. Dwelling activities along the coastal zone were particularly high in the last two decades. Hence, ports constructed between 2000 and 2022 such as Mundra, Hazira, Karaikal, Krishnapatnam, Gangavaram, and Gopalpur were considered for the study. The land and shore dynamics were assessed prior and after their construction. The landward impact was identified by the changes in LULC, and the dynamics of coastal sediments were assessed from numerical model before and after the ports’ construction. The highly impacted land and shore features were used in analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to assess the extent of their impact due to port construction. The extent of impacts was indicated as “criteria weight (CW)” expressed as percentage. Village-wise local sensitivity analysis (LSA) of the port environs due to port activities was also assessed with six parameters such as changes in LULC, cyclone, population, road network, cultural heritage site and shore stability based on their influence on the coast on case-by-case basis using AHP. The obtained influence of the impact of these parameters was used to determine the category of local sensitivity of the adjacent villages around the ports. For effective management planning, the LSA was classified into five classes, namely, very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. Villages categorized with different sensitivities can be attempted for suitable management plans and similar studies can be attempted for all villages impacted by port interventions.