Bhubaneswar, June 30 (IANS) The Odisha government has decided to prepare a long-term integrated shoreline management plan for its entire 480 km coastline, making it the first state to initiate such a plan, said an official on Thursday.
"The main objective of the exercise is to make the costal environment more secure and sustainable for its population. The long-term plan for 20 years would be prepared involving an investment of Rs.12 crore," said Ajit Pattanaik, project director of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP).
He said the plan would include entire gamut of actions ranging from shoreline erosion to natural disaster management, eco-sensitive zone preservation and building up a resilient environment for the people.
Expert agency IPE Global has been engaged in the exercise to bring in international expertise and technical support for preparation of the plan, he added.
Presiding over the first state-level steering committee meeting, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi advised to address the problems of coastline erosion, resilient eco-system and vulnerability of livelihood that arises because of climatic changes.
The meeting deliberated on the issues relating to developing a reliable database about the environmental and socio-economic features and vulnerability assessment-possibility of damage to people and property due to coastal hazards.
Padhi also advised to have appropriate stakeholders consultation in preparation of the plan and ensure people's participation at different levels.
