Beach Morphological Studies in India- a Review

This review is based on a comprehensive search of literature on beach morphological and nearshore dynamics studies in India. It includes importance of beach morphological studies, critical evaluation of various methods/approaches and tools used, sediment dynamics and causes for coastal erosion, coastal protection structures and their impact on beach morphology and shoreline changes. The objectives of this paper are to (1) review the State-of-the-Art of research conducted and inferences drawn in the country on beach morphology, (2) understand the impact of coastal structures (seawalls and breakwaters) on beach morphology and shoreline changes, and (3) to identify the grey areas in beach morphotogical studies and suggest the approaches for future research or field monitoring programs.