Orissa is likely to get Rs 227 crore from the World Bank for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project being implemented by the state government.
A six member team of the World Bank and the Government of India, headed by Tapas Paul, had two day long deliberations with the state officials and other stakeholders regarding the project.
The discussions revolved around principles governing the project, institutional arrangements, fund flow mechanism and execution of the work among others. The team members also called on the forest and environment secretary U N Behera and finance secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra.
After the return of the team, the World Bank will communicate its decision on providing the grant within a fortnight, after which processing of the bid documents and contract for supply of various items like geo-tube will start.
Though the bank had earlier agreed to provide Rs 135 crore to the state for the project, it has now expressed willingness to scale up the assistance to Rs 227 crore due to the sustained efforts of the state officials. The entire assistance will treated as grant.
Under the project, Rs 14.79 crore will be utilised for construction of 14 cyclone centres, Rs 19 crore for coastal protection and Rs 18.7 crore for conservation of bio-diversity. While Rs 25.61 crore will be spent by the fisheries department for providing alternative livelihood support to the fisherman, Rs 3.81crore will be given to industries department for providing alternative livelihood support to the people engaged in coir industries.
About Rs 17.39 crore is proposed to be spent for promotion of eco-tourism and Rs 14.29 crore will be allotted to Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) for environmental management.
Paradeep Municipality is slated to get Rs 14.79 crore for taking up solid waste management and Rs 7.22 crore for capacity building exercises. Besides, Rs 14.72 crore is earmarked for project management.
The project will cover 120 km coastal stretch from Dhamara to Paradeep, Chilika and Gopalpur and aims to check coastal erosion, promote eco-tourism, ensure security of livelihood activities of coastal fishermen and help conservation of bio-diversity, old cultural heritage and preservation of wild life in Bhitarakanika sanctuary among others. The scope of the project also include construction of a 700 metre long geo-tube synthetic bundh at Penths near Rajnagar. Further, to check coastal pollution, a research centre is proposed to be set up at Paradeep.
“ The World Bank team was very satisfied with the commitments made by the state government. We are hopeful of receiving Rs 227 crore as grant for the project”, Bhagirathi Behera, director, environment department of Orissa government said.
