Invited Speaker

Abstract: Coastal environments are specifically vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters; partly due to rapid urbanisation and related economic activities such as agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, industries, trades and transportation. In the current scenario, the environmental stresses on coastal zones are increasing considerably in terms of physical, social and economic variables. Accordingly, this study examines coastal vulnerability factors and their influence along the South Asian coastal region. South Asia has been exposed to frequent natural disasters and diverse hazards due to variations in the geographical, geological, and bathymetric features. The current research analyses the drivers and effects of hazards and vulnerabilities in South Asia in both physical and socio-economic perspectives. The findings will be useful for stakeholders seeking to reduce or ameliorate the impact of hazards and coastal disasters and their impacts on the South Asian economy, environment, and population.

Biography: Komali Kantamaneni is a Research Fellow at Solent University. She completed her PhD at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea, UK, entitled Evaluating Fiscal and Physical Coastal Vulnerability in the UK. Her research is into risk analysis of coastal communities due to climate change impacts (such as increased flooding and storms) and development of corresponding mathematical systems that can holistically measure coastal vulnerability in both physical and fiscal terms. She holds an MBA in Business Studies from Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK); and MSc in Environmental Sciences and a BSc in Biology from Nagarjuna University, India. She has published several papers in refereed international journals as well as presented her research at various international conferences. Komali is a special issue editor for the Journal of Sustainability