Typical developing nations like India have accelerated activities in the field of industries, shipping, ports, fishing, mining, urbanisation and tourism. All these affect the coastal areas. Coastal zone takes the brunt of industrial pressure, environmental degradation, marine life depletion, socia-economic conflicts and security threats, and faces several technological challenges to mitigate them in the future. A lot of effort is made to evolve meaningful definitions, and realistic demarcation of the coastal zone based on scientific facts. Environmental strategies are being formed to match industrial development against environmental health. A grand network for the assessment of the conditions of the coastal zone and the adjoining seas is in the process of implementation. Permanent observing stations are being established, and remote-sensing and modelling techniques are being used widely. Side-by-side, public education and awareness campaigns are organised. It is expected that the feed-back will pave the way for an integrated management strategy for our coastal areas, with strong scientific, legislarory and popular support.