The government of Odisha intends to invest 261 crore on a livelihood action plan for coastal regrowth and climate resilience for residents.
According to studies, 85 additional villages along the coast of Odisha are at risk, while 91 are severely vulnerable to sea erosion. 318 settlements in the state, scattered across six coastal districts, are in danger from sea erosion. The government has approved a $261 worth of livelihood action plans for the regeneration of beaches and enhancing climate resilience among coastal populations while also promoting climate adapted livelihood activities.
The steering committee of the Integrated Coastal Management Society (ICZMS) voted on Monday to undertake this community-based action plan from the present year through 2026–2027. The meeting was presided over by Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra.
The treatments will begin this year and be finished by 2026–2027, according to Project Director Sushanta Nanda of ICZMS.
The coastal livelihood action plan would receive an investment of 261.50 crore rupees, he continued.
The project for coastal regeneration in Odisha would cover Talsari in the Balasore district, Bhitarkanika in the Kendrapara district, Bahuda and Chilika in the Ganjam district, and Devi Mouth and Chilika in the Puri district.
Nanda further mentioned that the project would include about 3,75,321 hectares of coastline land divided among 339 village panchayats and five forest divisions.
Planning, carrying out, and advancing the intervention will involve “community-based organisations, NGOs, eco-clubs, women self-help groups, and local village communities,” he stated.
Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra gave the officials the order to give priority to the villages that frequently experience tragedies brought on by the climate and to create an annual action plan after consulting the locals.
He also urged officials to seek for coastal locations that may become eco-tourism hotspots with amenities like boating and animal viewing.
According to assistant chief secretary SB Sahoo, who is in charge of revenue and disaster management, “it was also determined to improve the density of mangrove forest and seagrass for enhancing coastal eco-system to lessen the impact of tidal surge and storm.”
Prasanta Patnaik