The Union government has chosen Odisha among three states for Phase-II of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) projects. A high level meeting for preparation of Phase –II project proposal was held by the Ministry of Forest & Environment on August 12 under the Chairmanship of the State Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra in Bhubaneswar. Integrated Costal Zone management Society of Odisha has been formed under Chairmanship of Chief Secretary for smooth functioning of World Bank aided ICZM project in Odisha.
Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar are the three states who are implementing this kind of project.
This has been envisaged as a five year project with budget outlay around Rs 220 Cr. The Phase-I project period has been scheduled up to 2014-15. Ten Project Executing Agencies have been involved for implementation of different action plans of the project.
Sustainable management of coastal and marine resources is essential to Odisha’s economic growth. Odisha‘s coastal zone is endowed with a wide range of mangroves, sea grasses, salt marshes, sand dunes, estuaries, lagoons, and a unique marine and coastal flora and fauna.
The abundant coastal and offshore marine ecosystems include some 1435 sq km of mangroves forest in Bhitarkanika with more than 82 species, which are among the largest mangroves in the world. There are major stocks of fish, marine mammals, reptiles and Olive Ridley turtles, sea grass meadows, and abundant sea weeds.
Thirty-five per cent of the coastal stretch is laden with substantial placer mineral and heavy metal deposits. Offshore wind, tidal, wave and future ocean thermal energy potential is huge. Cultural and archaeological sites, some with national and international significance dot the coasts. Coastal fishing employs a large number of people fulltime, and the post-harvest fisheries sector employs many people in the coastal villages.
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