100 Coastal Warriors: Strengthening Livelihoods of Coastal Communities through Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Framework
Nishtha Vishwakarma
Head of Communication and Outreach, MRC, Pune
Key Highlights
- The term “Coastal Warrior” extends beyond the image of an environmental volunteer.
- This initiative is intended to support sustainable fisheries, improve maritime governance, reduce marine conflicts, and improve environmental monitoring.
- The 100 Coastal Warriors initiative is structured around three important pillars– Policy Intervention, Technology Intervention and Capacity and Capability Building.
- A truly sustainable Blue Economy depends on healthy ecosystems and resilient coastal communities that can adapt to change while continuing to prosper.
Every tide that washes ashore carries with it a reminder of how deeply our future is connected to our oceans. Along our 11,030 km coastline, millions of people depend on the sea for their livelihoods, cultural identity, and economic well-being. For generations, these coastal communities have lived in harmony with the ocean, drawing from its abundance while preserving traditions that have sustained them for centuries. Today, however, that relationship is under unprecedented strain. Climate change-induced rising sea levels, increasingly frequent extreme weather events, coastal erosion, and marine habitat degradation have reshaped life along India’s shoreline. Conventional responses have largely relied on isolated engineered interventions that often shift coastal vulnerability rather than addressing its underlying drivers. As these interconnected environmental and socio-economic challenges continue to intensify, it has become evident that a comprehensive and holistic approach—one that integrates ecological resilience, technological innovation, policy interventions, and community participation—is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of coastal regions.
Sustainable transformation begins with individuals who understand the realities of coastal life, appreciate the value of marine ecosystems, and possess skills to translate scientific knowledge and policy decisions into meaningful action.
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Nishtha Vishwakarma
Head of Communication and Outreach, MRC, Pune
Nishtha Vishwakarma heads Communications and Outreach at the Maritime Research Center (MRC), where she also oversees the editing of the UDA Digest e-magazine. Through strategic and consistent communication and outreach initiatives, she has contributed to advancing Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) as a mainstream concept and strengthening MRC’s visibility and engagement across diverse audiences. She holds a postgraduate degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and has previously worked with DD India, the international media channel of the Government of India.