Odisha holds high-level review of ARISE project for coastal resilience
The Odisha government on Saturday held a high-level review meeting to discuss the proposed Adaptive Resilience Investment in Coastal Systems on Economics (ARISE) Project. The initiative aims to protect the state's coastline, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable economic development in coastal areas.
The meeting was chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to coastal management. This approach, he said, should combine coastal protection, environmental conservation, livelihood security, biodiversity protection, and economic sustainability. The Minister emphasised that the project should contribute towards strengthening the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems against the growing impacts of climate change.
A preliminary assessment of Odisha's 573-km coastline has been undertaken jointly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). Consultations have also been held with ADB and the departments of Water Resources, Forest, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, and Revenue and Disaster Management. These consultations focused on key issues such as coastal erosion, sediment management, protection of coastal villages, and safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.
Based on these consultations, ADB and OSDMA have prepared a preliminary report, which was discussed in detail during the meeting. It was informed that ADB has also been working with the state governments of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu on coastal protection initiatives. The first phase of the coastal protection project in Karnataka has already been completed. The Minister stated that after the final assessment and report for Odisha are completed, the ARISE Project would be taken up in a phased manner with appropriate interventions to strengthen coastal protection across the state.
The meeting deliberated on integrated measures to address coastal erosion along Odisha's coastline. Emphasis was placed on scientific and technology-driven interventions to reduce erosion, protect vulnerable coastal stretches, and strengthen long-term coastal resilience. The development of Odisha's Blue Economy was also discussed, with focus on harnessing the state's vast marine resources and economic potential in a sustainable and responsible manner. This approach is expected to generate greater livelihood and economic opportunities for coastal communities while contributing to the state's overall economic growth.
The meeting also focused on promoting climate-resilient coastal tourism in view of the increasing impacts of climate change and natural hazards. Discussions centred on developing sustainable tourism models that balance economic opportunities with environmental conservation. Coastal protection and sediment management were identified as key components of the proposed interventions. The meeting emphasised the need to understand the natural dynamics of Odisha's coastline and adopt scientifically informed approaches for managing sediment movement and deposition. Strengthening natural coastal defence systems and undertaking suitable protective measures at vulnerable locations were also discussed.
For effective implementation of the ARISE Project, special emphasis was laid on institutional strengthening, capacity building, and advanced technological systems. The meeting discussed strengthening the institutional capacity of departments and agencies involved in coastal management and enhancing the technical skills of personnel. Further details on specific interventions are expected after the final report is prepared.
