Nature-based solutions are central to India's coastal climate adaptation. Examine this in the context of the National Coastal Mission 2.0.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) use living ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs and wetlands as buffers against climate hazards. About 33.6% of India's mainland coastline is eroding [5]. The National Coastal Mission (NCM) 2.0 is a ₹767 crore Central Sector Scheme under the NAPCC [1][2], and it makes NbS central to coastal adaptation. However, funding and delivery still fall short of the design.

NbS as the backbone of NCM 2.0

• Natural buffers: mangroves and coral reefs are treated as shields against coastal erosion and sea-level rise [2].
• Restoration pillars: ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and pollution management are core themes [1].
• Convergence with MISHTI: 4,536 ha of mangroves were restored in 2025 [2].
• Livelihood co-benefits: community-based adaptation and sustainable tourism, for example 18 Blue Flag beaches in 2025-26 [2].
• Science-led siting: vulnerability assessments and spatial planning guide where restoration happens [1].

Why NbS over grey infrastructure

• Ecosystems regenerate themselves, while sea walls need continuous maintenance.
• One intervention gives several benefits: protection, fisheries, livelihoods and biodiversity.

Gaps limiting delivery

• Thin funding: the 2026-27 Budget Estimate is only ₹10 crore [3], against roughly ₹128 crore a year implied by the outlay. Earlier, only ₹8.58 crore reached seven States for mangroves in 2021–23 [4].
• Scale deficit: 22,560 ha of degraded mangroves have been identified, far more than is being restored [2].
• Dispersed effort: earlier funds were spread across 38 mangrove and 4 coral-reef sites [4].
• Institutional silos: erosion data sits with NCCR under MoES [5], while the scheme sits with MoEFCC [1]. Blue Economy projects can also damage the ecosystems NCM protects.

Way forward

• Target restoration on the stretches NCCR maps as eroding [5], and combine it with grey defences where erosion is severe.
• Measure outcomes in hectares restored, not crores released.
• Increase yearly releases and have States send ready proposals early.

NCM 2.0 rightly puts ecosystems at the heart of coastal adaptation, and links resilience with Blue Economy goals under Viksit Bharat @2047 [1]. Adequate and timely funding, a shared evidence base and community stewardship can turn this design into protection on the ground. That would advance SDGs 13 and 14 and make NbS India's first line of coastal defence.