End point rate analysis and estimation along the southwest coast of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, using geospatial techniques

The Kanyakumari district lies on the southern tip of Tamil Nadu, India. Nowadays, the economically wealthy coast of this district is profoundly altered in its natural existence, which can be deliberated by using Remote Sensing techniques. In this present study, shoreline change inquiry has been attempted at Vilavancode and Kalkulam taluks using the multitemporal satellite data of Landsat 7 ETM + and the Sentinel for a decade from 2009 to 2019. The shoreline has been demarcated and the End Point Rate is estimated by using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System. The shoreline changes statistics have been categorized into seven classes based on the rate of changes: high erosion, medium erosion, low erosion, stable, low accretion, medium accretion, and high accretion. This investigation helps to sense regional fluctuations and reveals that the area subjected to landward shoreline shift is higher than the seaward shoreline shift during this period. The villages of Iraviputhanthurai (10.61 m/yr), Inaiyam (4.01 m/yr), Mandacaud (8.17 m/yr), and Kodimunai (4.12 m/yr) are subjected to high erosion, whereas high accretion is perceived at the Irayumanthurai village (4.13 m/yr). The impact of coastal erosion on site-specific shorelines is considered in this research. This finding will be helpful for coastal management to reduce the loss of economy and safeguard the future coastal environment.

Automated summary

This study used remote sensing techniques to investigate shoreline changes in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. The research found that landward shoreline shift was higher than seaward shoreline shift during the past decade. Additionally, high erosion and high accretion were observed in specific villages. This study has significant implications for coastal management and the protection of coastal environments.