100,000 new jobs to clean up the coastline and protect species from plastic, overdevelopment

India’s southern and central shorelines are confronting a fast-moving crisis: erosion, pollution and unchecked development are eating away at habitats that millions of people and thousands of species depend on. A new World Bank-backed effort seeks to reverse that trend by creating large-scale employment while bolstering coastal defenses and protecting marine life.

The initiative aims to thread economic growth and environmental stewardship together, offering training and jobs in communities that have felt the impacts of shrinking beaches, damaged mangroves and rising plastic waste. Officials say the program is designed to support both human livelihoods and the plants and animals that rely on these fragile coastal systems.

What the SHORE program will fund and the job targets

The World Bank’s Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (SHORE) Project brings $212 million in financing to help states implement coastal management plans that align development with conservation. Planners expect the program to generate a significant employment boost in coastal districts.

• 100,000 new jobs are expected to be created across activities that protect shores and rebuild local economies.
• The project will provide training designed to prepare roughly 70,000 people for roles in tourism, fisheries, waste management and related services.

The emphasis is on creating work that is sustainable — jobs that restore ecosystems and strengthen local economies rather than harm them.

Why these coasts are critical for people and wildlife

India’s lower coastline stretches for about 6,200 miles, and its shores support a staggering amount of biodiversity and human activity. Coastal ecosystems are the backbone of fisheries, transport, tourism and local culture, with roughly 250 million people relying on these areas for their homes or livelihoods.

Those coastal habitats shelter an estimated 18,000 species of plants and animals. Among the most notable are protective mangrove forests, coral communities and charismatic marine species such as the dugong. When these systems degrade, the losses ripple through local economies and the larger environment.

On-the-ground actions: restoration, infrastructure and protection

SHORE combines nature-based restoration with targeted engineering interventions to reduce erosion, curb pollution and conserve critical habitats. Key activities include:

• Planting and restoring mangrove stands to stabilize shorelines and provide nursery habitat for marine life;
• Rehabilitating sand dunes and reinforcing beaches with a mix of green and grey infrastructure like strategically placed breakwaters;
• Supporting coral health and protecting vulnerable species such as turtles, dugongs and shorebirds;
• Strengthening solid waste systems to prevent plastics from reaching the sea.

Project planners say the work will help conserve approximately 72,000 acres of coastal seascapes in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Private sector partnerships, eco-tourism and plastic value chains

Officials intend to mobilize private funds and expertise to scale up solutions such as recycling networks and environmentally sensitive tourism. By engaging businesses, the project hopes to transform waste streams into economic opportunities and create cleaner, more attractive beach areas.

The World Bank’s acting country director for India noted the potential for combined public-private action to curb plastic pollution while expanding livelihoods through sustainable tourism and improved waste systems. Private participation is expected to help build market-based recycling, create jobs, and support community-based beach management.

Community outcomes, awareness campaigns and policy support

Local authorities and project teams will launch behavior-change campaigns and bridge gaps between city governments and private operators to tighten solid waste management. Policymakers and task team leaders point to prior state actions as a foundation for the new work.

• Tamil Nadu introduced a ban on single-use plastics in 2019, and the new program will reinforce anti-plastic measures and public education across both states.
• Awareness initiatives are aimed at reducing plastic leakage and improving recycling practices, with projected direct benefits to tens of thousands of residents — officials estimate reductions in pollution could positively affect about 120,000 people.
• Training and employment will focus on sectors such as:

  • eco-tourism and hospitality;
  • waste collection, recycling and value-chain jobs;
  • sustainable fishing and coastal resource management.

Current waste landscape and where the work is most needed

Recent state-level assessments show a mixed picture: in 2025, Karnataka ranked among the top five plastic waste–producing states while Tamil Nadu stood at the highest position in that comparison, underscoring the urgency of improved waste handling and pollution reduction across these coastal regions.

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.