Realizing the need of overall planning and cost effective solution to the coastal problems, the Govt. of India constituted Beach Erosion Board in the year 1966 under the Chairmanship of Chairman, CWC (erstwhile CW&PC) initially, to guide and implement the programme of anti-sea erosion works in Kerala only. Chief Engineer In-charge of anti-sea erosion works of Kerala was appointed as Member-Secretary. Besides the Chairman and Member-Secretary, the Board comprised three Members, including Director, CW&PRS, Pune. Govt. of India reconstituted the Board in 1971 and further in 1989 extending its jurisdiction to the entire coastline of the country. The Board held 24 meetings in all.
With the objective of the development in the protected coastal zone and the pressure of population in the densely populated area in the coastal zone, the Beach Erosion Board was reconstituted and renamed as “Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee” (CPDAC) vide MoWR Resolution No.15/2/91-BM dated 17th April, 1995 with its secretariat in the Central Water Commission to identify and develop the various resource potential available behind the protected areas.
Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC) is a high level body of experts in the field of coastal engineering, which is regularly approached by the maritime States and other concerned organizations for specific advice on the problems of coastal erosion. CPDAC is headed by Member (RM), Central Water Commission with C.E. (P&D), Central Water Commission, as its Member-Secretary and the representatives of Coastal States and the related Central Departments as its members.
Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee provides a common platform to all maritime States/UTs to discuss and solve their coastal erosion problems. The Committee has given its recommendations in the past on various coastal related issues.
MoWR Resolution No.15/2/91-BM dated 17th April, 1995
Functions of Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC)
(i) To organise a co-ordinated programme of collection, compilation, evaluation and publication of data relating to various natural phenomena in coastal processes, which affect the coastline, through Coastal Engineering Research Centre and other State organisations.
(ii) To organise general investigation, studies and research with the help of Central and State Coastal Engineering Research Institutions.
(iii) To lay down principles in construction techniques of coastal protection measures for the guidance of State Authorities.
(iv) To review the performance of the works carried out by States and evolve improved design techniques based on such experience from time to time.
(v) To inter-act with international agencies engaged in the work of coastal protection and technology transfer in the field of coastal protection.
(vi) To identify the coastal zone to be developed behind the coastal protection works with the help of State Governments.
(vii) To identify the development potential in various techno-economic activities and advise the concerned State Govts. to prepare programme for development.
(viii) To draw up long-term and short-term plans for coastal protection and development of the coastal zone.
(ix) To appraise and recommend various coastal protection and development works for inclusion in State plans.
(x) To arrange effective and timely monitoring of the coastal protection & development projects.
(xi) To review the action plan for rehabilitation and resettlement of the coastal development affected people and monitor the progress on rehabilitation and resettlement.