Perception based Study of Coastal Sand Dunes in the Areas of Ratnagiri Coasts, Maharashtra

Background/Objectives: The present research is the outcome of attitude and perception based study about the status of sand dune. The paper clarifies that, besides from the natural processes, human interventions also lead to decline the sand dunes. Methods/Analysis: Present research work is based on the questionnaire survey conducted in the Ganeshgule, Vare, Velneshwar, Kelashi villages in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Perceptions of the villagers in view of the sand dunes have discussed. Utmost sand dunes in the study area are greatly under the influence of tidal sea-water and human activities. Findings: Anthropogenic impacts on coastal landforms are nowadays increasing rapidly. Sand dunes, sand bars and sand spits are the depositional features in the coastal areas which protects the coastal environments from natural calamities. Coastal sand dunes significantly protect the landward settlement and agriculture from sea waves and storms. Applications/Improvements: Therefore, it requires collecting the basic information and database about the sand dune as a coastal resource. Such collected basic information also helps for the proper management of resources