A Tussle on The Coastline: The Proposed Vadhvan Port's Impact on The Livelihoods and Ecology of Local Fishing Communities

Abstract The proposed Vadhvan Port project in Maharashtra's Palghar district represents a significant point of conflict between national economic development and the sustainability of local livelihoods and ecology. This paper examines the multifaceted impacts of this mega-port on the fishing communities of the Dahanu-Palghar coastline. We analyze the socio-economic consequences, including the potential for widespread displacement of fishermen, permanent loss of traditional fishing grounds, and the subsequent collapse of the local fishing-based economy. The research also critically evaluates the environmental and ecological ramifications of the port's construction, such as the destruction of marine habitats and vital breeding grounds through extensive dredging and land reclamation. Furthermore, we explore the starkly contrasting perspectives of various stakeholders: the government and project developers, who cite economic growth and job creation; the local fishing communities, who fear the loss of their cultural heritage; and environmental activists, who highlight the project's irreversible damage to the region's sensitive coastal ecosystem. The paper concludes that while the Vadhvan Port is framed as a critical infrastructure project, its potential costs to the environment and the socio-economic fabric of local communities are inadequately addressed by current mitigation plans.