The draft Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is part of a World Bank-funded project. The document lays out guidelines out for coastal states to adopt when they approve and regulate projects in coastal zones.

The project seeks to assist the government of India in enhancing coastal resource efficiency and resilience, by building collective capacity (including communities and decentralised governance) for adopting and implementing integrated coastal management approaches. So far three coastal states, namely Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal, have prepared Integrated Coastal Zone Management plans with support from the World Bank.

Such plans will be prepared for the selected coastal stretches in other states/UT. The key activities proposed for coastal zone development that consist of investments by states include: mangrove afforestation/shelter beds, habitat conservation activities such as restoration of sea-grass meadows, eco-restoration of sacred groves, development of hatcheries, etc.