By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 23, 2015 :

Odisha is all set to become the first state in the country to put a comprehensive Integrated Coastal Zone Management [ICZM] Plan in place in its bid for sustainable management of coastal resources of the state.

Decks were cleared on Saturday here post approval of the ICZM at the 6th state steering committee chaired by chief secretary Gokul Charan Pati. The plan is expected to be completed within 15 months, officials said.

This will facilitate hassle free and planned development of infrastructure across the coast. Besides, it will pave the way for efficient disaster management, construction of commercial set ups and ecosystem conservation process across the shoreline, they added.

ICZM will identify coastal zones and select lands under different environmental parameters for proper utilization of coastal resources. Its focus will be on providing a clear frame work for better coordination of the developmental inter and intra activities along the coastal stretch through strategic actions and sustainable polices for effective management of the coastal zone to maintain a balance between the development and conservation at the same time safeguarding the livelihood of local communities.

“ICZM is a planning and coordinating process, where the primary purpose is to bring together various concerned agencies to work towards common objectives”, said Dr AJit Kumar Pattanaik, PD of ICZMP – Odisha. He also elaborated that ICZM provides a larger perspective for development related activities as well as conservation of coastal ecosystems.

The coast is also a highly vulnerable area especially with reference to impacts of climate change and sea level rise. There is also conflict for space and resources. A Shoreline Management Plan for the entire coast of Odisha would be formulated by analyzing various issues related to shoreline changes including erosion, flooding and sea water inundation caused by natural forces like cyclones and anthropogenic activities.

The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZM) for Odisha coast would be formulated based on Sediment Cells delineated by National Centre for Sustainable coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai falling between the coastal stretches of Gopalpur to Chilika (116 km) and Paradip to Dhamra (80 km).

The zone of consideration extends landward up to 15 km from high tide line (HTL) or outer limits of coastal village or town or river having 5ppt salinity in dry season whichever is farther and sea ward up to 12 nautical miles towards sea from the low tide line (LTL).

The Odisha State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of ICZM Project has generated credible primary data on coastal process based on one year extensive study of the Odisha coast covering entire 480 kilometers based on the sediment cell for the first time in India.

“This path breaking study generated incredible data and a world class data base is generated which would provide the basic inputs for the ICZM Planning. The holistic study covering the entire coast would provide a very good insight in to the coastal process along Odisha coast and by use of these data the cumulative effect of each developmental project over the entire coast could be predicted. The International Experts were also highly impressed with the data base created through the study”, Pattanaik remarked.