Satellite Sensing of Tuticorin Port and Environs on the East Coast of India,

Landsat has emerged in recent years as a versatile surveying tool for synoptic large area mapping and monitoring of coastal features and processes. The demonstrated capability of satellite sensors coupled with the need for current coastal zone information in the southeast coast of India led to this study to evaluate the use of remotely sensed data from space for this purpose. Though practical constraints such as nonavailability of suitable Landsat data and inadequate ground sea truth information limited the study to a qualitative appraisal, the results are promising and justify a concerted effort to acquire updated information in this stretch of coast in the Gulf of Manaar. Landsat in particular has the definite potential to study the impact of the recently commissioned major part of New Tuticorin which could have an influence over several kilometers of coastline on either side, not easily emenable to ground surveys.