This book focuses on understanding the shoreline dynamics, nearshore
processes and sediment transport around Rameswaram Island and the cities
of Dhanushkodi and Arichamunai. Rameswaram Island is located between the
Gulf of Mannar on the south and Palk Bay on the north, between the
southern tip of India and Sri Lanka, and is unique in terms of physical,
chemical and biological processes. The Gulf of Mannar is established as
a marine biodiversity conservation area by its richness of variety and
variability of marine species such as corals, finfish, shellfish and
other fishes. The island is predominantly influenced by four seasons:
northeast monsoon, post-monsoon, summer and southwest monsoon; and the
sedimentological and hydrodynamic conditions significantly change
seasonally, resulting in the island's responding in a different manner
with each season. It also explains the physical forces and their impacts
around these areas. Rameswaram Island has existed naturally for a long
period of time even under the influence of different water masses of the
Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. Understanding the regional natural
phenomena is the only solution to carry out the best management
practices to develop coastal constructions and modifications.