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4.6.5. India Estuarine Ecosystem


The Country has 14 major, 44 medium and 162 minor rivers drains into the sea through various estuaries.


Estuaries are an important and distinct component of the coastal landscape with highly complex ecosystems, varying physical - chemical properties and having highly diverse flora and fauna.

Major estuaries occur in the Bay of Bengal. Many estuaries are locations of some of the major seaports.


Most of the India’s major estuaries occur on the east coast. In contrast, the estuaries on the west coast are smaller.