Bhubaneswar, Aug 30 : Odisha will implement the Adaptive Resilience Investment in Coastal Systems on Economics (ARISE) Project to address coastal degradation, tackle climate change-induced risks and strengthen sustainable economic development along the State’s coastline, officials said.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who chaired a high-level meeting here on Saturday to review the project, said a preliminary assessment of Odisha’s 573-km coastline had been jointly undertaken by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).
The assessment assumes significance as several stretches of the Odisha coast are facing erosion and increasing climate-related threats, posing risks to settlements, livelihoods and fragile coastal ecosystems.
Earlier, the ADB held consultations with the Water Resources Department, Forest Department, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, and Revenue and Disaster Management Department on measures to check coastal erosion, remove waste and silt from riverbeds, and protect the lives and livelihoods of people living in coastal villages.
Based on these consultations, the ADB and OSDMA prepared a preliminary report, which was examined in detail at Saturday’s meeting.
The ADB has also undertaken coastal protection projects in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the first phase of the project in Karnataka already completed.
Pujari said the ARISE project would be implemented in phases after completion of the final assessment report on Odisha’s coastline. The project, he said, would focus on developing a stronger, scientific and technology-driven mechanism for coastal protection.
The meeting discussed an integrated strategy to prevent coastal degradation while making Odisha’s coastal environment, economy and livelihoods more resilient to the growing threat of climate change.
Coastal erosion emerged as one of the key areas of concern, with emphasis on deploying scientific and technological solutions to minimise erosion, protect coastal ecosystems and ensure long-term shoreline stability.
The meeting also examined the potential of Odisha’s blue economy, with discussions focusing on sustainable utilisation of marine resources, creation of livelihood opportunities for coastal communities and promotion of economic growth without compromising environmental sustainability.
Climate-resilient coastal tourism was another major area of discussion. Officials deliberated on developing sustainable tourism models capable of withstanding climate-related risks and natural disasters while protecting fragile coastal ecosystems.
Pujari said coastal protection and sediment management would receive special attention under ARISE. The strategy would involve studying the natural dynamics of the coastline, scientifically managing sediment movement and accumulation, strengthening natural coastal defence systems and adopting suitable protective measures wherever necessary.
Institutional strengthening, capacity building and the deployment of advanced technologies were also identified as critical components for effective implementation of the project.
The minister stressed the need for an integrated and robust technological monitoring system to track coastal erosion, forecast emerging risks, support data-driven decision-making and improve overall coastal management.
The meeting emphasised the need for long-term, scientific and sustainable interventions under ARISE to simultaneously strengthen climate resilience, environmental protection, disaster preparedness and economic development along Odisha’s extensive coastline.
Special Relief Commissioner and OSDMA Managing Director Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, senior officials of OSDMA and representatives of the Asian Development Bank attended the meeting.
