By Bizodisha, Bhubaneswar, November 5, 2015 : The final phase of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP) between the two coastal stretches of the State has got the nod of the Odisha Government with the seventh steering committee of ICZMP approving the plan.

The long-term action plan – first of its kind in India, will put in place the coastal zone management strategy for the State for next 20 to 30 years. Under the plan, land suitability and vulnerability analysis will be carried out and areas which are suitable for development will also be demarcated.

The plan would be based on sediment cells study by Chennai-based National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management and the 116-km coastal stretch of Gopalpur to Chilika and 80-km stretch of Paradip to Dhamra would be covered.

The plan will focus on outlining a clear framework for sustainable development in the coastal zone to maintain a balance between development and conservation, while safeguarding the livelihood of local communities.

Earlier, sectoral and sub-plans for the State were prepared based on the primary data collected through Regional Coastal Processes Study (RCPS) and consultations with community and coastal stakeholders.

A Shoreline Management Plan will also be part of the long-term strategy which would cover the entire coast and base on analysis of shoreline changes including erosion, flooding and tidal inundation caused by cyclones and human-related activities. It would recommend appropriate development in the shoreline area to avoid coastal erosion and other negative environmental impacts.

The zone of consideration, under the plan, will extend 15 km from the high tide line and 12 nautical miles from the low tide line into the sea. The plan will be ready within 15 months and a consultant has been roped in for the job.

“The plan would be spatial and integrate terrestrial as well as coastal and marine areas. It would also take into account climate change issues given the vulnerability of the State to natural disasters,” Project Director of ICZMP, Odisha Ajit Kumar Pattnaik said.

The ICZMP is also expected to make decision-making process easy for public authorities at local, district and State levels. Changes in the existing legal and policy framework to implement the plan will also be suggested.