Paperman Media | Bhubaneswar
A high-level meeting on the proposed Adaptive Resilience Investment in Coastal Systems on Economics (ARISE) Project was held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Friday to discuss a long-term strategy for strengthening coastal protection, climate resilience and sustainable economic development in Odisha.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who chaired the meeting, stressed the need for an integrated approach combining coastal protection, environmental conservation, biodiversity management, livelihood security and economic sustainability. He said the project should strengthen 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 with the Departments of Water Resources, Forest, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, and Revenue and Disaster Management focused on coastal erosion, sediment management, protection of vulnerable villages and safeguarding livelihoods.
The meeting discussed scientific and technology-driven measures to address coastal erosion, strengthen natural coastal defence systems and improve sediment management. Development of Odisha’s Blue Economy through sustainable use of marine resources and livelihood generation was also highlighted.
Special emphasis was placed on climate-resilient coastal tourism, institutional strengthening, capacity building and advanced technological systems. Real-time data, digital platforms and integrated monitoring mechanisms for tracking erosion, forecasting hazards and supporting data-driven decision-making were also discussed.
The Minister said the project would be implemented in phases after completion of the final assessment and report.
Special Relief Commissioner and OSDMA Managing Director Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, senior OSDMA officials and representatives of ADB attended the meeting.
