Bhubaneswar, Sept. 1 (UDN): The Odisha government is preparing a long-term strategy to safeguard its 573-km coastline from coastal erosion, climate change and natural disasters through the proposed Adaptive Resilience Investment in Coastal Systems on Economics (ARISE) Project.
The initiative aims to combine scientific coastal protection measures with environmental conservation, livelihood security and sustainable economic development for vulnerable coastal communities.
Phased implementation after final assessment
A high-level review meeting on the project was held at Lok Seva Bhawan, chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who emphasised the need for an integrated approach that balances ecological protection with economic growth.
A preliminary assessment of Odisha’s coastline has been conducted jointly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). The study examined coastal erosion, sediment movement, vulnerable villages and the safety and livelihoods of communities living along the coast.
Based on consultations with multiple government departments, ADB and OSDMA have prepared a preliminary report, which was reviewed during the meeting. Officials said the project will be implemented in phases after the final assessment is completed.
Science-driven solutions for coastal protection
The proposed interventions will focus on technology-backed measures to reduce coastal erosion, strengthen natural coastal defences and protect vulnerable stretches of the shoreline.
Effective sediment management, aligned with the coastline’s natural processes, will form a key component of the project to ensure long-term resilience.
Focus on blue economy and disaster preparedness
Beyond shoreline protection, the ARISE Project seeks to promote Odisha’s blue economy by encouraging climate-resilient coastal tourism while safeguarding biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Officials also discussed strengthening institutions, building local capacity and deploying modern technology, including real-time data systems and digital monitoring platforms, to improve erosion tracking, hazard forecasting and disaster preparedness.
The initiative comes as Odisha continues to face increasing climate-related challenges along its coastline, reinforcing the need for a comprehensive and sustainable coastal resilience framework.