In July 2016, officials from the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) Odisha, Odisha Pollution Control Board (OPCB), public and private sectors and IUCN, met in Bhubaneswar to find solutions to address cumulative impacts of industries, ports and other development projects on the coastal and marine ecosystem of Odisha. This was preceded by an IUCN-facilitated workshop in September 2015 to develop an action framework for conservation along the Odisha coast.

The gathering reflected on the status of coastal ecosystems in Odisha, the high community dependence on natural resources to sustain livelihoods and food security, impacts of ongoing and projected developmental activities and the continued ability of coastal ecosystems to provide essential ecosystem services. It was noted that industries are addressing their individual impacts as part of legal compliance regimes. However, there was concern that cumulative impacts are being largely ignored.

In prescription of the dictum that prevention is better than cure, it was agreed that conservation action must be taken as soon as possible to conserve and sustainably use natural capital. A mechanism has to be developed to address cumulative impacts to maintain the ecological health of the Odisha coast, to ensure that the healthy functioning and provisioning of ecosystem services is sustained, notwithstanding developments along the coastline.

IUCN, through MFF and LfN, ICZMP and OPCB, are exploring the best possible means of achieving an action-based relationship with businesses in Odisha that goes beyond Corporate Social Responsibility obligations, addressing the root causes of coastal and marine degradation through ecosystem-based approaches.

For more information contact:

Ms. Archana Chatterjee
National Coordinator, MFF
IUCN India Country Office, New Delhi
T: +91 11 2625 7742 (ext. 105)
E: archana.chatterjee@iucn.org