"International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment"

Sand dunes protect the shoreline from high wave action and cyclonic storm and besides, standing like a pillar in the coastal area prevents flooding and tidal bore, at present, the coastal ecosystem, sand dunes have suffered greatest degree of human processes. Many dune systems have been irreversible altered through the activities of man, both by accident and design. Ecosystem components of the sand dunes are affected by the intensive use of dunes in the coast. Artificial structures like houses; hotels, fishery etc are disturbing the normal growth of the dunes. Extract of dune sands by road cutting, grazing and hotel construction in New Digha, Shankarpur and Mandarmoni areas of kanthi coastal plain of West Bengal. The level of grazing pressure is instrumental in determining species composition. Dune plants are destroyed by growth of urbanisation, construction of fishing centre and seasonal cyclonic storm. The dunes are totally destroyed by increasing wave action at many places. Accelerated dune erosion by the cyclonic storm, tidal bore and wave action and destroyed on dune ecosystem. Such as planting vegetation, constructing sand fences, and selecting access areas that avoid damage to dunes and dune vegetation from foot traffic.