The dynamic nature of the coast, the threats it is subject to and the constant changes (human and environmental) faced by the communities who live here with risks associated and the difficult work involved in harnessing these coastal resources has always been a feature of the livelihood of these coastal communities. The livelihoods pattern of diverse communities along the coastline of the country have come under severe stress due to a variety of reasons, increasing the vulnerability of the marginalized communities.

The livelihood security of all the marginalized communities along the coast is closely linked with its ecological resources.The major traditional occupations along the coast excluding industry like agriculture, fisheries and salt-work are now diminishing, leading to large scale forced migration and affecting the livelihood systems.

Due to heavy withdrawals of ground water from coastal plain area, ground water depletion has caused sea water to move inland water into fresh water aquifers. These problems due to salinity ingress along the coastal belt severely affect the communities leaving a negative impact on the livelihoods of the people.

As a people’s centric approach for coastal communities, People’s Learning Centre believes that for the development of coastal region; an integrated programme covering crop production, fisheries, animal husbandry and forestry, providing for improvement in infrastructural facilities including communication, water and sanitation together with active participation of communities especially women and existing local institutions based on sharing values of human rights, equity and justice would revitalize coastal local livelihoods.