Coastal Community

India’s coastline, stretching over 11,098.81 km, is not just a geographic boundary it is a living tapestry of history, culture, and tradition. Our coastal regions have served as vibrant gateways to the world, connecting civilisations through trade, navigation, and cultural exchange for millennia. From ancient ports to traditional fishing villages, from timeless maritime rituals to unique local governance systems, the coastal heritage of India reflects the nation’s enduring relationship with the sea.

At C.A.R.c.E., we view coastal heritage as an integral part of national identity and community resilience. Preserving this heritage is not only about protecting cultural memories but also about ensuring that local knowledge systems, traditional practices, and community wisdom continue to thrive in harmony with modern development.

Our Focus Areas

• Documenting Maritime Traditions:
  We research and archive local folklore, oral histories, indigenous maritime knowledge, and heritage practices that define India’s coastal communities. These narratives help preserve intangible cultural heritage and inform contemporary coastal governance.
• Reviving Historical Linkages:
  Through in-depth studies of ancient ports, shipbuilding traditions, and navigational routes, we aim to reconnect modern India with its rich maritime legacy. Our work highlights the contributions of coastal communities in shaping trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
• Safeguarding Cultural Landscapes:
  We collaborate with local communities, researchers, and policymakers to conserve heritage structures, sacred coastal spaces, and traditional ecological knowledge that have sustained coastal societies for generations.
• Promoting Community-Led Preservation:
  We believe that those who inherit heritage are its best custodians. By empowering local youth, artisans, and fisher folk, we strengthen cultural pride and foster sustainable livelihoods rooted in heritage conservation.
• Integrating Heritage with Modern Policy:
  Our initiatives aim to bridge traditional wisdom with contemporary maritime strategies ensuring that coastal heritage informs planning, disaster resilience, and sustainable development.