Move to protect coastal communities

Bhubaneswar: The state government will implement a community-based action plan from this year to enhance climate resilience of coastal communities, addressing livelihood issues of those vulnerable to calamities like erosion and tidal surge.
A day after TOI highlighted the issues of coastal erosion and tidal surge, chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra on Monday discussed the action plan in the steering committee meeting of the Integrated Coastal Management Society (ICZMS).
Mahapatra directed the officials to focus on regeneration of coastal ecosystems and promotion of climate-resilient sustainable livelihood in the coastal communities. He said an annual action plan in consultation with the respective communities should be prepared.
The chief secretary also asked to prioritise action for villages that generally face climate-induced calamities over the years. It was also decided to increase the density of mangrove forest and sea grass to enrich the coastal ecosystem and reduce the impact of tidal surge and storm.
Mahapatra advised the officials to explore all possible places for development of ecotourism with boating and wildlife viewing facilities. The need to prepare the livelihood plan as per people’s need and potential of the concerned areas was underscored.
ICZMS project director Sushanta Nanda said the interventions will be rolled at an investment of Rs 261.50 crore from the current year and completed by 2026-27.