Orissa

The 480 kms long coastline of Orissa is still pristine and untouched by industries except in and

around Paradeep Port. Nearly 180 kms of the coastline forms the Bhitarkanika marine sanctuary.

This Orissa coastline has six major estuaries, India’s second largest mangrove forests at

Bhitarkanika and Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika, with a wealth of bird and fish life

and the shy and unique Irrawaddy dolphins. It has an uninterrupted stretches of sandy beaches

backed with high sand dunes making it one of the world’s largest rookeries for the Olive Ridley

turtles. Extensive non-vegetated wetlands and a number of minor fishing harbours are the other

major features of the Orissa coast.

About 87 per cent of the 32 million people of Orissa live in the villages and 25 per cent is tribal.

Though the literacy rate is almost at par with the country’s literacy rate at 63.1 per cent, it is one of

India’s poorest and most backward states. However, those living on the coast are not as

marginalized as those living in western Orissa. The majority of the people depend on agriculture

and fishing for their survival.

Orissa is also rich in mineral resources-- coal, manganese, alumina, bauxite and recently there has

been a great thrust to exploit these mineral resources. Besides the three major industries located at

Paradeep, a few more in the steel, power and petroleum sectors are in the offing. Some 13 ports are

proposed on the Orissa coast and a deep sea port that can receive super ships of 180,000 tonnes is

under construction to the north of Paradeep at Dhamra. This private port is expected to be ready

next year. Though pollution levels are minimal, the industries coming up around Paradeep and the

accelerated focus on industrialization are likely to add to the pollution of the estuarine and coastal

waters.

Chilika lagoon, whose water spread varies from 906 sq kms to 1165 sq kms during summer and the

monsoons, is a unique wetland important enough to be listed as a Ramsar site. A 32 km long,

narrow outer channel connects the lagoon to the Bay of Bengal. A unique mix of marine brackish

and fresh water eco-systems, Chilika is rich in biodiversity and shelters a number of endangered

species. It is the wintering ground for more than a million migratory birds. The abundant fish supply

found in the lagoon sustains the livelihood of 1, 50,000 fisher folk who live in and around Chilika.

However, the illegal fishing activity in the marine sanctuary area during the period when fishing is

banned is a growing concern. So also is the large scale aquaculture farming that is adding to the

ingress of saline water.

The ban on fishing for six months in the year has pushed the traditional fisher folk to the brink. But

the ban was mandated to protect the turtles which come in thousands for nesting on Orissa’s

beaches at Rushikulya, Devi and Gahirmatha, the core area of the Gahirmatha marine wildlife

sanctuary of 1435 sq kms, a swathe of 20 kms of sand and sand dunes starting from the coastal

waters. The turtle nesting period (October to March) coincides with the time when fish catch is at its

peak so the ban on fishing is resented.

The construction of the Dhamra port, 20 kms north of the mass nesting ground of the Olive Ridley

turtles at Garhimatha, is expected to change the sediment movement around the port and this in turn

could change beach characteristics of the nesting ground of the turtles. Trawlers from Bangladesh,

West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh come for their fish catch to the sea adjoining Paradeep and

Dhamra. There has been a steady depletion of mangroves in Bhitarkanika -- which has 65 species of

mangroves, the largest variety in India. The depletion of mangroves has been traced to conversion

of land to aquaculture and erosion of banks of estuaries due to flooding.

The coastline and the beaches of Orissa are facing erosion for several years. At a few locations like

Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga (Konark), Pentha and Satabhaya where there is strong wind and tidal

movement, there is severe coastal erosion. In fact a few villages have disappeared under the water

in Pentha in Kendrapara district. Between 2003 and 2007, the low water line has advanced by 340

metres, indicating a coastal erosion rate of 85 metres per annum. The turtle nesting areas have

shrunk and there is ingress of salt water into agricultural fields not just in Pentha but in several areas

along the coast. With their livelihood dependant on the sea and rivers, villagers do not want to move

out of their ancestral homes, however precarious their existence.

The Orissa coast is also disaster prone with at least one deep depression or cyclone crossing the

coast every year taking a heavy toll of human life and causing extensive damage to property and

agricultural fields. The 23 shelters constructed by the Red Cross between 1995 and 1998 saved

some 20,000 lives during the super cyclone that ravaged Orissa in 1999. Large multi-purpose

cyclone shelters have come up along the coastline but many more are needed so that every village is

within 1.5 to 2.5 kms of a shelter.

Recently the coastal areas of the state have attracted development activities and medium to small

scale infrastructure in the form of ports and industries are planned near Gopalpur and Paradeep.

Pollution in the estuarine and the coastal belt, which is marginal so far, is expected to go up.

Further, though Paradeep is a planned port city, the municipality has no sewage treatment facilities

for the 42 metric tonnes of solid waste produced daily by the people living in its jurisdiction.

Untreated sewage is expected to go up to 62 metric tonnes.

Rich in cultural heritage, Orissa is known for its temples. Many of the temples, close to the coast

have been damaged by wind and sea erosion. Generally temples in India are able to generate

employment by sale of coconuts, other items of offering. Monuments and temples on the coast also

serve as shelters during natural calamities like cyclones and floods.

Tourism is attracting people to Orissa. In addition to the temple town of Puri, the sun temple at

Konark, the Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika, the home of reptiles and crocodiles, the annual pilgrimage

of the turtles and the unique red crabs and horse shoe crabs are a growing attraction. Large prawns,

lobsters, an abundance of fish and fresh coconut water add to the mouth watering cuisine of the

State.

A major challenge is conserving the rich flora and fauna of the coastline; enhancing and providing

alternate livelihood for coastal people, protecting the coastline from erosion and people from the

recurrent cycle of natural disasters while facilitating development in the state.

The major objectives of Orissa’s integrated coastal management project are protection, conservation

and improving livelihoods. Ten implementing partners have been chosen to implement the ICZMP

on the two stretches of Gopalpur to Chilika, a distance of 120 kms and Paradeep to Dhamra, a

stretch of 100 kms

The levels of understanding among not just the PIAs but also among stakeholders about the

objectives and goals of the ICZMP become critical to integrate interests of the various stakeholders

while ensuring the sustainable development of the coasts. These issues have to be addressed

sensitively and in partnership with the stakeholder groups. In this context, regulations, no matter

how robust, always have limitations. These can be complemented by constructive engagement with

communities.

Understanding Various Stakeholder Perceptions and Needs

OBJECTIVE

In order to achieve the objective of understanding and assessing the communication needs of the

various stakeholder groups, it was necessary to assess

Levels of awareness and understanding of ICZM approach at both the state level and

grassroots level

Among implementing agencies

Among stakeholders other than implementing agencies

Therefore, it was important to adopt an approach that combined analysis of project related

documents on the one hand and on the other, consultations with the state project implementing unit

and all stakeholders directly and indirectly impacted by the project. .

While a part of this information could be gathered after consultations with Ministry of Environment

and Forests (MoEF) and project staff, the detailed identification of communication gaps would only

be possible after discussions with the state nodal unit.

A visit to the state and project sub-sites was necessary to acquire firsthand knowledge about

primary and secondary stakeholder groups including local coastal communities affected by the

project, industry associations, civil society groups and activists, environment experts, NGOs, media

and local government officials. This would also facilitate identification of areas of conflict, if any,

and build on rich traditional knowledge by constructive engagement with communities to resolve

potential conflicts amongst stakeholders.

ASSESSING COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS

In order to obtain information about the levels of communication and identify the needs and gaps,

the approach was divided into two parts.

In the first part, consultations with all relevant stakeholders including the project implementing

agencies at the state level were held in the state capital. These consultations at the state level were

important to assess their understanding of the ICZMP, in particular its goals and impact.

Additionally, since the purpose of ICZMP is also to facilitate adoption of a multi-sector and multi-

stakeholder participatory planning process, it was also necessary to assess the capacity and levels of

communications of Chilika Development Authority (CDA), the nodal body chosen by the Ministry

of Environment and Forests for the ICZM project and the other implementing partners to identify

communications gaps, if any, and means of its redressal by suitable communication tools.

In Orissa, although CDA is the nodal body and its executive officer is the nodal officer of the

project, it has a separate state project preparation cell (SPPC). Three technical specialists in the

SPPC have been recruited.

The CDA is not a part of the SPPC. The executive officer of CDA says that it was the first state to

propose a separate SPPC as he feels that he will not be able to do justice to CDA if he takes on the

additional responsibility. So although CDA houses the SPPC, it does not participate in its daily

activities. However, as head of the nodal body of the ICZMP in Orissa, the CDA executive officer

has attended some key meetings with officials of World Bank, MoEF and PIAs.

To understand the extent of meetings held and the communications on the issue it was necessary to

Analyse content of all relevant project documents and consultations held with regard to

ICZMP

Meet and discuss with project nodal body and stakeholders identified by them

Collection of information through these interactions on communications capacity and skill

of organizations and project staff

Surface communications challenges and barriers to participation by all stakeholders

Identifying suitable communication tools to overcome differences and motivate involvement

in wider marine conservation, management and livelihood issues

In the second part, field visits were made to representative sub-sites. The field visit was critical to

identifying if there were any gaps in communication between the project implementing units and

primary stakeholders like the direct beneficiaries of the project as it facilitated interaction with

stakeholders.

It was also an opportunity to involve the local coastal community and other stakeholders like local

NGOs and the media in surfacing solutions required to address these communication gaps, if any,

and their preferred modes of dissemination of this information. During these visits, the objective of

obtaining first hand understanding of the project was through

Consultations with local implementing partners to assess their understanding of ICZM

project

Collation of information pertaining to their communications capacity, skill and

dissemination modes

Interviews and focused discussions with local coastal community including fisherfolk and

farmers and other local stakeholders like NGOs and media to understand their perceptions of

ICZM project

Identify potential areas of conflict

Participatory interactions to surface solutions to resolve conflicts

PART 1-STATE LEVEL CONSULTATIONS

UNDERSTANDING ROLE OF STATE PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT

For the implementation of the ICZM approach, the role of the state project management unit is

crucial. This is primarily because

its planning and actions need to depend on knowledgeable understanding of the complex

coastal processes

it needs to follow a planning process which is essentially participatory and includes a

reliable and credible mechanism for conflict resolution

it must have the ability to adapt planning and management processes that accommodate

changing aspirations and opportunities of multiple stakeholders

it should implement processes that give equal attention to building knowledge and its

dissemination to enable informed acceptance

Success of each of these four essential elements is dependent not just on scientific knowledge

which includes high quality research and predictive capabilities to be able to inform the planning

and management process for ICZM, but also traditional knowledge and wisdom of the coastal

communities. Equally important is integrated and coordinated action by all stakeholders. Therefore,

the state project management unit needs to ensure inter-sectoral integration, community

participation and mainstream gender, poverty and equity issues.

The state project management unit (SPMU) of the project has not been constituted yet although it

has been registered. It will be headed by the chief secretary and the governing body will comprise

secretaries of all departments implementing the project.

The Forest and Environment Department (which is the secretariat for the Orissa SCZMA) initially

conducted the meetings held in January, April and November 2007 with World Bank and Ministry

of Environment and Forest (MoEF) officials to identify the priorities of the state with regard to

coastal zone management issues and the project implementation arrangements.

METHODOLOGY

Consultations were first held with the CDA and the SPPC in Orissa to understand its project

perceptions and levels of communications as it is the nodal body. The methodology adopted here

was one-to-one meetings with the key project officials of CDA and SPPC.

The primary objective of the discussions was to identify

When was the first meeting on the ICZMP held and who were the participants?

What was the level of understanding of ICZM among them?

Since then how many meetings have been held and who were the participants?

Which departments were called and did not participate?

What were the reasons for their non-participation? Was it because of lack of

understanding of ICZMP concept, change of relevant officers, disinterest or conflict of

interest?

Were any attempt made to explain the principles of ICZMP to bring them on board?

How were implementing partners identified?

How have their roles and responsibilities been delineated so that there are no gaps in

communications?

When was the steering committee formed and who are its members?

How many times has this committee met and who were the participants?

What are the decisions that have been taken have these been communicated to the

concerned stakeholders?

Have all stakeholders been identified?

Have any efforts been made to communicate with primary stakeholders?

What modes of communication have been used to do so?

Study of the detailed project reports and related documents provided by SPPC indicated that the

SPMU will be responsible for overall execution, supervision and monitoring of the project activities

including financial allocation for implementation of each component. In Orissa, the Secretary,

Environment will be the state project director.

The SPPC has conducted several meetings to identify the implementing partners and the project

components.

IDENTIFYING IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

The project in Orissa has been divided into ten components and the agencies identified to

implement these components are the state Department of Forests(wildlife division), Department of

Fisheries, Chilika Development Authority (CDA), Department of Tourism (Orissa Tourism

Development Corporation), Water Resources Department, Orissa State Disaster Management

Authority (OSDMA), Orissa State Pollution Control Board, Paradeep Municipality under

Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Culture and Archaeology.

Implementing Priority Investments Selection of priority investments including investments in

conservation of ecological and cultural heritage resources, livelihood improvement activities for the

coastal communities and pollution control evolved through a consultative process among relevant

stakeholders. These priority investments fall under the following categories-

Conservation and protection of the coastal resources

Environment and pollution management

Livelihood security of the coastal communities

The priority investments in Orissa are concentrated in the two stretches of Gopalpur-Chilika and

Paradeep-Dhamra - and will include the following:

Conservation and protection of the coastal resources – (i) protection of olive ridley turtle and

other aquatic wildlife (ii) mangrove plantation (iii) conservation of archaeological heritage,

which serve as cyclone shelters at times of distress (iv) a pilot work in shoreline protection

for Pentha village

Environment and pollution management – (i) environmental sanitation of coastal town of

Paradip

Livelihood security of the coastal communities – (i) livelihood improvement support in 60

fishing villages in the periphery of the Chilika lake and the Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary to

develop allied farming activities (ii) support to fisherfolk in developing small-scale tourism

activities (iii) support to fishing communities in developing small-scale industrial and

marketing activities, such as coir-making (iv) provision of cyclone shelters in the 13

remaining coastal villages, where cyclone shelters were not constructed from earlier

programmes

Programme selected Implementing

Agency

Shoreline Protection and Coastal protection measures at Pentha and

Coastal afforestation

Water Resource Department

Solid Waste Management by establishment of solid waste landfill

and treatment facility at Paradeep Paradeep Municipality

(Housing and Urban

Development department)

Construction of Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters OSDMA

Protection of Olive Ridley Turtles & Aquatic Wildlife through

increased surveillance and Biodiversity conservation through

plantation of mangrove and casuarinas; Biodiversity-based alternate

livelihood option through ecotourism in sensitive habitats by

creation of facilities for camping and trekking in Bhitarkanika

sanctuary, Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary, Chilika (Nanabana)

sanctuary and on the extensive sand-bar adjoining the Bay of Bengal

Department of Forests

(wildlife)

Tourism-based Livelihood by Tourist guide training camp,

Handicrafts and Handloom centre, trekking, hiking and nature trails,

food court, parking, sit outs

Department of Tourism

Species research on Irrawaddy dolphins and birds at Chilika;

strengthening of existing wetland lab CDA

Alternate livelihood option: Fisheries based livelihood options like

Crab fattening, Dairy & Goatery, Value addition of fishery products

Department of fisheries

Establishment of Environmental Monitoring Laboratory at Paradeep

to monitor air and water quality Orissa State Pollution

Control Board

Conservation and improvement of Archaeological and cultural

assets to generate potential for heritage tourism in the coastal areas

of the state

Department of Culture and

Archaeology

Small Scale Enterprise -based Livelihood Improvement

Alternate livelihood option: Coir making through establishment of

training-cum-production centre

Department of industry

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES

The programme component selected under the ICZMP is the key to assessing communications

needs as it provides information about the stakeholder groups it is likely to impact. It also enables

understanding of the levels of communication and capacity of the implementing agency and

assessment of the approach adopted. In particular what modes of communications were used and

whether a participatory approach was employed

The criteria of choosing the implementing partners was based on the key ICZM challenges that

exist here which are

Maintaining the natural resource base in order to continue providing the basis for long-term

economic development

Managing environmental health and hygiene with appropriate sewage options

Linking livelihoods needs to coastal infrastructure development including embankments

and other beach erosion measures

Keeping in mind the programmes selected by the implementing agencies, the Departments of

Forests, Fisheries, Water Resources, Industries, Tourism, Paradeep Municipality, CDA and Orissa

State Disaster Management Authority will have direct impact on local coastal communities. The

Department of Culture and Archaeology will also link up with the coastal communities through its

awareness raising and livelihood generating activities in the latter part of its project.

Therefore, it is important to assess whether these organisations have adequate understanding of the

importance of stakeholder participation and the benefits of inclusive processes and the capacity and

skill to communicate the objective and purpose of the ICZMP.

To do so, information was required about the implementing organization, its administrative

structure, its work ethos and the approach adopted. This was obtained from relevant documents and

meetings with the organizations.

Chilika Development Authority

The Chilika Development Authority (CDA), falls under the administrative control of the

Department of Forests and Environment. The CDA, which is both an implementing agency and the

nodal body under ICZMP, was established in 1992 with the primary objective of carrying out

studies related to wetland functions and its ecology. The Chilika Lake is a highly productive lagoon

eco-system with its rich fishery resources sustains the livelihood of more than 0.15 million-fisher

folk who live in and around the Lagoon.

Discussions with CDA indicated that as an implementing agency under the project, the Institute will

carry out species research and monitoring of Irrawaddy dolphins and migratory birds.

The CDA has been given this responsibility primarily because of its previous work in conservation,

management and development of Chilika lagoon. It monitors Chilika lagoon through sampling

stations located in four ecological sectors covering entire lagoon every month and it has instituted

the Wetland Research & Training Centre at Chandraput to facilitate research.

It has received several awards including the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award, 2002 and the

Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puruskar. Its work in areas like sustainable fishery resource development, biodiversity assessment and conservation and promotion of eco-tourism has helped it to develop linkages with the community. It plans to build on these networks to carry out its work including formation of anti-poaching squad, mobile patrolling during migration of birds, organization of anti-poaching camps in valuable areas for bird lovers and the local community, training and awareness for CDA staff and incentives to village communities/NGOs for making positive contribution to the protection and conservation of birds, particularly to the migratory birds. Additionally, environmental education programmes on biodiversity conservation specifically on birds and dolphins will be undertaken at the adjoining schools and colleges of Chilika lagoon.

The executive officer Dr S Panda is the nodal officer.

SPCB

The State Pollution Control Board, Orissa is a statutory organisation under the administrative

control of the department of forests and environment. Discussions with SPCB officials indicated

that it is responsible for monitoring and enforcement of various legal provisions with regard to

pollution. It has prepared the state and district Environmental Atlas, a compilation of environmental

related information in the form of map, text and statistical data including maps on environmental

sensitive zones and major sources of pollution.

This experience will come in handy for the SPCB which will establish an Environmental

Monitoring Laboratory at Paradeep under the ICZM project. According to its detailed project

report, the SPCB will monitor the water and air pollution along the coastal stretch from Paradeep to

Dhamra and study its impact on marine life. It will constitute a steering committee to implement the

project.

Mr BN Bhol, a senior environmental officer of SPCB is the nodal officer.

Orissa State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA)

Orissa State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) was set up by the Government of Orissa as

an autonomous organization in December 1999 in the intermediate aftermath of the Super-cyclone

in 1999. Registered under the Societies Act, it is a non-profit institution and is the nodal agency for

disaster reconstruction works. The Department of Revenue is the administrative department of

OSDMA which is responsible for disaster preparedness at all levels in the state, and networks with

similar and relevant organizations for disaster management.

Discussions with OSDMA officials indicated that it will construct 14 multi-purpose cyclone shelters

in both the sub-site areas of Chilika-Gopalpur and Paradeep-Dhamra. Having constructed such

shelters in the wake of the Super cyclone, OSDMA has good experience in implementing the

disaster management projects.

It has a governing body comprising secretaries of all relevant departments, disaster experts, national

and international NGO and representatives and is authorised to take all decisions. The chief

secretary to state government is the chairman of OSDMA and has overall power of supervision,

direction and control. The managing director, appointed by the state is its member secretary and

chief executive officer and remains in overall charge of planning, implementation and monitoring of

all activities. He remains in overall charge of the funds of the Authority.

The OSDMA does not have an independent information/ public relations cell. But it has delegated

authority to various general managers and deputy GMs to disseminate information about its

activities.

Under the ICZMP, AK Nayak, deputy general manager, is the nodal officer and KC Bisoi is the

shelter coordinator.

Water Resources Department

The Department of Irrigation was renamed as Department of Water Resources in 1994 to

encompass the entire water sector of the state. All the organisations involved in development of

water resources were brought under this Department. These organisations included Water

Resources (Major & Medium), Minor Irrigation and Orissa Lift Irrigation Corporation.

Since the Department is responsible for the development of water resources and manages calamities

like floods and reconstruction of structures damaged by cyclones, it has been given the

responsibility for shoreline and coastal protection measures at Pentha village under the ICZMP. A

Geotube filled with sand is proposed to constructed between the existing embankment and the

proposed one (retard line). As the beach is the habitat of olive ridley turtles, no hard measures such

as construction of seawall or groins would be advisable and hence a suitable soft solution is

proposed to be adopted.

It will construct geo-tubes and will develop bioshields in the form of local afforestation in

partnership with the community. coastal bioshields with the help of mangroves, casuarina etc, as a

natural hazard mitigation measure as this part of the West Bengal coast is vulnerable to coastal

erosion, inundation due to storms, tidal surges and high velocity winds and cyclones which also

damage property.

OSDMA has a public information officer who looks after all its activities

RK Ghadai, executive engineer, embankment division is the nodal officer and Promod Bisoi junior

engineer, Rajnagar, will be field implementing officer.

Department of Tourism/ Orissa Tourism Development Corporation Limited

Coastal tourism is gaining momentum in the state. The most attractive locations along the coast are

Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika mangrove and surrounding Gahirmata and the beaches of Gopalpur. The

recent opening of a tourist site at Satapada, opening of a new mouth at Sipakuda and the

construction of a motorable road from Puri, tourist flow has increased. However, the tourist flow

and thereby local incomes could be much higher if adequate tourist accommodation, amenities, boat

services and food arrangements was available.

The department of Tourism has been given the responsibility for generating income through

tourism-based livelihoods under the ICZMP because of its expertise in boosting tourism in the state.

Under this project, the OTDC, which is under the department of tourism and formed in 1979, will

be the implementing arm of the department.

Discussions with the officials indicated that it intends to conduct tourist guide training camp,

develop a handicrafts and handloom centre, promote trekking, hiking and nature trails, develop food

court and sit outs. Through these activities, it will promote eco-tourism with the active participation

of the community. BN Misra, under secretary, department of tourism and AK Tripathy senior divisional manager,

building projects are the two nodal officers.

Industries Department

Coir fibre extracted from coconut husk is used commercially for manufacture of a range of

products. Considering the ready availability of coir, Orissa has huge potential for development of

coir industry as well as for generating large scale employment in the sector as it is a labour intensive

industry.

According to the DPR, the utilization of coir in the state is low. The department of industries, which

is the implementing partner in the ICZMP, will establish a Training-Cum- Production Centre in

Chilika area, it will be able to utilize the local raw material to facilitate livelihoods by provide

engagement to 15 artisans in the production centre attached to the institute.

The training cum production centre will provide training in different coir skills (mat weaving, rope

making etc) for six months. The centre will conduct two training programme per annum. The

evaluation and certification will be done by Directorate of Industries. After training, the trainees

will be engaged in the production centre to work at least for a period of one year on a contractual

basis. During this period they will be receive information on production and raw material

management, and marketing.

The nodal officer is yet to be identified due to bifurcation of the department.

Paradeep Municipality, Housing and Urban Development Department

The population of Paradeep Municipality is 75,000 and is growing. Major industries like IFFCO,

PPL, IOCL, etc are set up here. This Municipality, formed in 1980, is in charge of the town, port

and industrial sites and five revenue villages. Besides industrial wastes, solid waste is generated

from the township at a rate of approximate 48 tonnes a day which is likely to increase in coming

years due to increasing pace of urbanization and industrialization.

Under the ICZMP, Paradeep Municipality will take up the Municipal Solid Waste Management in a

planned way to cope with growing quantity of garbage in this town.

According to its DPR, it will collect and segregate solid waste and storage of solid wastes in

systematic manner to prevent any unhygienic and unsanitary conditions around the storage points,

during transportation of solid waste and its disposal and processing at a landfill site. The activities

will be confined to Paradeep Municipal Area and its periphery.

Discussions with the junior engineer, solid waste management, indicated that at present there is no

treatment of wastes and the solid waste collected through vans is dumped at certain locations.

The executive officer is the nodal officer

Orissa State Archaeology (Department of Culture)

The coastal area has a large numbers of monuments of historical archaeological, architectural, and

sculptural importance. Some of these like Potagada (Ganjam Fort), Bhabakundalesvara Temple,

Manikpatna, Harachandi Temple, Baliharachandi, Batesvara Temple, Kantiagada, Hariharadeva

Temple, Nairi are in a poor state and need conservation. Since the monuments are situated in the

important tourist circuits, they can be converted into heritage tourism sites.

Discussions with the officials indicated that under the ICZMP, it will undertake chemical

conservation, illumination and renovation of ancillary structures of these forts and temples.

This Archaeology wing will be responsible for its overall conservation and protection. The day to

day management and protection of the monument will be carried out by the local body under the

technical guidance of Archaeology department. Maintenance will be done through a watch and

ward for the monuments.

According to its DPR, the Orissa State Archaeology has two archaeologists, one archaeological

assistant engineer, one conservation assistant, one junior landscaping architect, one chemical

assistant, one photographer and draftsman as its technical staff.

The organisation is headed by one superintendent who looks after the administrative work and

supervises field work. It will involve the community for protection of these monuments and also

generate local incomes through increased tourism.

Mr AK Satapathy, assistant curator, is the nodal officer

Forest Department

The Wildlife division of the Forest Department is involved in biodiversity conservation and coastal

afforestation. It creates awareness among the coastal communities on the need to conserve

mangroves and encourages participation of local communities in the aspects related to conservation

by adopting the policy of Joint Forest Management (JFM). A scheme to reward villagers as well as

departmental personnel for detection of forest offences and preventing theft has been introduced in

the state. Over 10,504 Vana Sarankhyan Samities (VSS) (community committees) have been

established under JFM to protect and regenerate degraded forests.

The department is eminently suitable for ICZMP partnership as it has also been involved in the

protection of sea turtles, including the setting up of 45 monitoring cameras to cover all the nesting

beaches and taking punitive action against illegal fishing in turtle congregation areas.

Under the ICZMP, the forest department will intensify this effort to protect Olive ridley turtles at

nesting locations at Gahirmata and Rushikulya through boat based intensive patrolling at sea and

watch and ward on beaches. In addition, it will also be involved in plantation of mangrove

vegetation along eroded river banks and in other degraded areas.

The second component is providing biodiversity-based alternate livelihood options through

ecotourism in sensitive habitats. The law governing Protected Areas prohibits construction of

commercial tourist lodges, hotels, etc. inside a sanctuary/ National Park. The National Wildlife

Action Plan treats eco-tourism as a permissible activity in sanctuaries, provided it is regulated to

remain within the physical and ecological carrying capacity of the area, and is confined to

designated tourism zones, and not spread out into the core zones, sensitive wildlife habitats and

corridors, natal areas of species like the tiger, and provided that it serves the overall objective of

wildlife conservation.

Therefore, the forest department will create facilities for camping and trekking in Bhitarkanika

sanctuary, Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary, Chilika (Nanabana) sanctuary and on the extensive sand-

bar adjoining the Bay of Bengal. These places hold immense attraction for serious nature lovers.

Later, it will form a separate eco-tourism society for each Protected Area in the state which would

be dedicated to manage the eco-tourism enterprise. The society would be headed by a senior Forest

Officer and include conservationists, eco-tourists, local service providers, and eminent public

persons of the locality as members. The Society would be authorized to take the receipts accruing

from entry fees and other charges and to plough it back towards running the services and

maintenance of the facilities. The Society might engage Naturalists, Guides, Caterers and other

management partners depending on the volume of business it is able to generate.

There will be three implementing agencies namely DFO Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife), DFO

Chilika (Wildlife) Division and DFO Berhampur (Territorial) Forest Division. Their work will be

supervised by Conservator of Forests Bhubaneswar Circle and Conservator of Forests Berhampur

Circle. The work will be further monitored and supervised by Principal Chief Conservator of

Forests (Wildlife). All the above authorities will be working under over all control of the Forest

and Environment Department.

It also has on board scientists like Dr CS Kar, a renowned olive ridley turtle expert.

Mr SS Srivastava, CCF, is the nodal officer.

Fisheries Department About 6000 fisherfolk living along the coastline are dependent on fisheries. The prawn culture

which was practiced a few years ago was banned for 1 km in the circumference of the Chilika Lake,

as the prawn culture activities were found to affect the lakes ecology. Since then culture activities

have almost become minimal. Fishing is also banned from November to May to protect the turtles

and allow fish to breed.

Under the ICZMP, the state fisheries department, which is actively involved with the fishing

community, will develop alternate livelihoods for the fishing community to help them tide over the

eight month ban. According to its DPR, the fisheries department will work through local Self Help

Groups in these fishing communities which will be trained on alternate livelihood options such as

crab fattening, culture of mullets and sea bass, dairy and Goatery, and value addition of fishery

products like fish pickles etc. In the first phase 30 villages from each sub-site have been chosen

under the project.

These activities will be carried out by the Fisheries Department in association with CDA

Mr JB Das, deputy director is the nodal officer SK Satapathy, deputy superintendent is field

implementing officer.

Stakeholders other than implementing agencies

The levels of understanding of the ICZM project among stakeholders other than implementing

agencies is important as there has been a vast change in the coastal management approach

worldwide because of rising sea levels, climate change, pollution and pressures of accelerated

development and tourism, and associated livelihoods.

The ICZM approach seeks to ensure that development in these areas is balanced and sustainable

from the point of view of co-existence so that quality of life of communities dependent on coastal

resources is improved while maintaining the biological diversity and productivity of coastal

ecosystems.

Industry

Although the selected pilot sub-sites stretches of Chilika-Gopalpur and the Paradeep-Dhamra are

both classified as ecologically sensitive areas where industrial activity other than tourism is not

permitted, the industry has interests along the coast and close to these sites.

Discussions with representatives of the Bhubaneswar-based Orissa chapter of the Confederation of

Indian Industries which has many members indicated that many more private ports were in the

pipeline. Meetings with other key organizations like POSCO and Dhamra Private Company Ltd

underlined the growing interest in developing the coastal areas.

With Paradeep already being an industrial hub and a new port coming up in Dhamra soon, the

industry an important stakeholder and needs to be kept informed about ICZMP. Their levels of

understanding of the ICZMP are important to resolving potential conflicts.

Media

Both print and electronic media are popular means of communication here. While English

newspapers like the Times of India, Indian Express, The Statesman and The Hindu are mainly read

by an urban literate audience the vernacular Oriya newspapers like Samaj have a wider readership

and reach the rural population. The Oriya TV channels are very popular and influence both urban

and rural opinions.

The media plays an important role in raising awareness about the ICZM project and its basic

concept. Since it influences opinion about the project among a whole range of stakeholders, its own

levels of understanding about the project is crucial to the messages it send out through its reports.

Meetings were therefore necessary with both English and Oriya media to understand their

awareness and their opinions. It was also necessary to assess whether their understanding was based

on misinterpretation of the ICZM concept or lack of information. The meetings also helped to

understand their communications needs and the modes of information dissemination suitable for

them.

Academics and NGOs

Academics and NGOs are the voice of civil society. Although they are indirect stakeholders in the

ICZM project, their levels of understanding are important for the success of the project.

Meetings with them were necessary to understand their perceptions pertaining to awareness, levels

of participation in the consultative process and barriers, if any, to access information and

participate.

Orissa does not have too many academics with expertise in coastal management and marine issues.

NGO activists involved in articulating concerns of the fisherfolk, other communities living on the

coast and in the protection of beaches are also few in number but quite active. They have been able

to maintain pressure on the state government by engaging with the people.

Phase 2

Field visit to meet direct and secondary stakeholders at sub site

Field visits were made to meet direct and indirect stakeholders of the ICZMP in villages in the

districts of Bhitarkanika, Kendrapara, Khurda and Puri to assess their levels of awareness and

understanding of the project. In addition to meeting concerned officials of the forest department in

Bhitarkanika, engineers of the Water Resources checking coastal erosion at Pentha, field officers of

the fisheries department researchers and ecologists of CDA, consultations were also held with local

coastal community identified as being impacted by the project.

To do so, visits were made to Pentha, Krushnanagar, Nalitiapatiya and Shankarpur villages,

primarily agricultural villages adjoining the coast and Balugaon, Malleshwari, Shahbadpur and

Rasakhudi fishing villages. All these villages have been identified as important partners for

conservation and protection of the ecosystem because of their proximity to the coast for eco-

development activities under the ICZMP. Visits were also made to Chilika Lake in Satpada district

and adjoining areas where conservation efforts are being coupled with tourism based livelihood

activities.

In all visits, meetings were held directly with the fisher folk, including women involved in fish

processing activities, farmers, community based organizations and gram panchayat leaders.

To gain a sense of the understanding and participation of other important stakeholders, separate

meetings were also held with other local groups like all men self help groups, local researchers and

fishermen’s cooperatives to understand their perceptions and identify challenges faced.

Levels of awareness and understanding of ICZM approach

Among implementing agencies

Among stakeholders other than implementing agencies

Chilika Development Authority

The CDA has been chosen as the nodal body for the ICZM project in Orissa because of abilities to

integrate protection of marine resources and livelihoods of communities dependent on these

resources. Its own expertise in coastal management and research activities prior to the project and

its involvement with the coastal communities has helped it to build a rapport with the people. It can

therefore share its experience with other PIAs. As an implementing partner, the levels of

understanding of the basic concepts among the officials are also good. The main challenge here has

arisen over the separation of the nodal body (CDA) from the state project preparation cell (SPPC).

On the one hand, this has been advantageous as it allows the SPPC to devote full time to the project,

the disadvantage is that it has not being given the authority to disseminate information about

ICZMP with stakeholders other than the PIAs. The head of CDA is also the head of the nodal body

and could take on the responsibility of communications. However, he feels that he will not be able

to do justice to CDA if he takes on the additional responsibility of being part of the SPPC. Perhaps

this is why there have been no formal meetings with representatives of industry, media and NGOs

about ICZMP or about the formation of SPPC.

Although reservations have been expressed by the nodal body about communicating formally about

the project until the agreement has been signed, it could have held one initial meeting after the

SPPC was constituted as was done by the ICZMP nodal body in the state of West Bengal.

Alternatively, it could have followed the Gujarat ICZMP nodal body which invited academics and

NGOs to give their inputs during the training needs assessment workshop.

However, there seems to be some rigidity about sharing information about the project.

Recommendations

Greater awareness about ICZMP among stakeholders other than PIAs can only be beneficial for the

project. It appears that some informal exchange of information by CDA has taken place. But this

has been to one or two persons. Considering that some of the PIAs like the OSDMA, Departments

of Fisheries and Water Resources has had meetings on ICZMP among their constituencies, no harm

would have been done if the same information could have been communicated to a larger group.

This could be informally done if that is preferred for the time being. Alternatively, one of the SPPC

members could be authorized to disseminate information that is relevant at this stage so that there is

better coordination and rapport among all stakeholders at the implementation stage. There needs to be some mechanism to demystify research useful to the community to protect lives and

livelihoods. This could be in the form of short films or street plays.

SPPC

The State Project Planning Cell (SPPC) is a team of three consultants with expertise in ecology,

management and administration and finance. It has been in place since 2008 and is the facilitating

organization, providing the technical support for preparation of DPRs. There have been several

meetings with the implementing partners to discuss ICZMP components which were held in 2008.

A training and needs assessment workshop was held n February 2009 and based on the inputs of the

partners a Total Needs Assessment (TNA) was done. A second meeting was called thereafter to get

the approval for the TNA. The SPPC has documented minutes of its meetings beginning November

2008. All three consultants are clued into the ICZM programme and are assisting the partners in the

field.

Recommendations

Until a communications officer is appointed, the senior most SPPC member Dr Sahu could be

authorised to disseminate information that will not impinge upon the project and yet be able to

generate awareness. Being an ecologist Dr Sahu has the right background and knowledge about

ICZM and is also well informed about the project components and its benefits.

OSDMA

Levels of understanding of the ICZMP concepts within OSDMA are high as it has been constituted

especially for disaster preparedness. Communication skills are also good as it has good experience

in community engagement as it has been working with the people since the last 10 years. It has

formed cyclone shelter management and maintenance committees which comprise community

members and provides training on disaster management. It conducts mock drills to gauge levels of

preparedness among the committees and the community. At Shankharpur village, Kendrapada

district, the active participation of the committee during one such mock drill showed its

involvement with the organization. The community is aware of the importance and benefits of the

shelters and once it is in place the community is trained to handle rescue operation as well as

medical emergencies. It is also willing to help raise awareness in coordination with OSDMA.

OSDMA has a dedicated civil VHF network has been set up to strengthen communications between

the field offices and the district headquarters. Now there are 414 VHF base stations are available

covering all district headquarter, block headquarters, some tehsils, some disaster prone gram

panchayats, and other locations. 35 Satellite phones have been procured and provided to the district

collectors and other disaster managers at the state level. OSDMA is promoting installation of

Amateur (HAM) Radio stations and training to volunteers in its operation.

It also has engaged with the community by forming cyclone shelter management and maintenance

committees (CSMMC). Members of these committees are from the community and all decision

related to the CSMMCs are taken by them.

The OSDMA has also held meetings in each of the 14 villages where it will construct the multi-

purpose cyclone shelters under the project. These meetings have been documented. The Authority is

a well oiled body and has a well informed and organized nodal officer for this project.

Recommendations

OSDMA needs to focus more on gender participation. Although it has women in the CSMMCs, it

has not specified the number of women that must be a part of these committees. Also it needs to

give them greater responsibility and train them to take charge of these committees.

The work of the OSDMA and the competence of the trained local communities during calamities

should be documented and shared with the other coastal communities who will be getting shelters

under the ICZMP. There should also be greater communication for optimum utilization of the

multi-purpose cyclone shelters.

Water Resources Department

There has been a transfer of the team of some key engineers and experts of the Water Resources

Department in charge of this critical stretch of the coastline. Thus the original teams which visited

West Bengal to understand why geo-tubes were unsuccessful in stopping erosion in that state and

learn lessons for its adaptation in Orissa, has been replaced. So, there is a bit of a lag in

understanding how to communicate the benefits of this project and integrate it with the ICZMP

concept within the present team.

There have been a couple of meeting between the implementing officials of the department and the

community in which some 50 to 60 villagers were apprised of the protective measures like geo

tubes and plantation of coastal bioshields planned. Also, the decision to get their views on the

variety and height of trees to be planted to protect the agricultural fields from the salty seawater

spray has been good.

However, at present it does not have any mechanism to disseminate information.

Recommendations

Though the local people are aware of their precarious existence, they are not aware of the ICZMP

and how it can protect their lives and livelihoods. It should be explained that when the ICZMP

begins, the local people, whose fishing rights have been limited, will get employment opportunities

in non-technical work like planting trees, security etc The information about geo tubes can benefit

them is very technical and there are divergent views on the effectiveness of this measure. It is

recommended that the concept be explained to them with the help of visual media as levels of

literacy are low. They need more information, through posters, short films in the local language.

Here, local leaders like panchayat members could be involved. Thus, the department needs to build

its skills to increase people’s participation.

A good strategy has been to involve the community in the plantation work planned under this

component to bolster protection from erosion and cyclones. The fact that the earlier decision to give

this work to forest department was reversed in favour of the community should be explained to

them and the trust imposed in the community by the department to manage it could also be

communicated. Also, there is a need for stability in the officers in charge at least for the first three

years of the project to ensure there is no divergence in understanding or communicating of basic

tenets of ICZMP.

Since the forest, fisheries and animal husbandry are already working here, it would beneficial for

the community if all government departments coordinate and integrate their work so that the

benefits accruing are spread over a larger population.

Fisheries Department

The communication skills of the fisheries officials are good as they have been engaged with the

community. There is genuine concern for the fishermen who are barred from fishing for eight

months of the year because of legal provisions to protect turtles. This has helped them to discuss

alternate livelihood project with the community and explain to them about working through SHGs.

The department has also decided to let the community choose their alternate livelihood option.

In all the five villages chosen for this project, work by other state departments like CDA and animal

husbandry is ongoing. These ongoing activities need to be coordinated well and inter-sectoral

linkages are poor. Fisheries department need greater clarity on means of coordination and better

delineation of roles and responsibilities. Additionally, they need to develop stronger linkages with

gram panchayats can play a role in promoting and coordinating the alternate livelihood activities.

Recommendations

Though the fisheries department has good rapport with the all-women SHGs, the men’s SHGs

which are being formed for the first would need some hand holding. This means more sustained

communications and interaction. They need a lot more convincing before they take to the

alternative livelihoods. Since technical support for the alternate livelihoods project will be provided

by the animal husbandry department, there needs to be regular coordination between the two state

departments and CDA. This will facilitate delineation of responsibilities especially since the

fishermen need training on marketing of their products whether it is goats or prawns and crabs.

While there will be returns from aquaculture in six months, returns from value addition to fish will

take a month and returns from goat rearing will be almost immediate. Also, many of the men are not

sure of the economics of goat rearing vis-a-vis sale of fish.

Also there could be some dovetailing with other existing welfare schemes so that other livelihood

options like improving business and employment opportunities by setting up a rice mill or hiring

out their boats for tourism in Chilika.

The proposed manual on livelihood options should be brought out in local language and distributed

among the fishing communities and fish workers cooperatives. Posters could also be brought out on

alternative livelihoods and displayed at fish landing centres, fish markets etc. The economics of the

alternative livelihoods should be clearly spelt out so that fishermen are not compelled to ask for

increased monetary compensation for loss of business in the fishing season. Here the gram

panchayats must be engaged so that they can lease out ponds required for crab fattening.

Orissa Pollution Control Board

The OPCB officials understand the need for communications about their component. They have

held an interaction on May 11, 2009 with the citizens of Paradeep town Paradeep municipal

councillors, local teachers, journalists and fisher folk to apprise them about the setting up of the

laboratory and the industries coming up in the area. They understand the importance of involving

fishermen to report any change seen in the coastal waters—change in colour as well as death of fish.

They have also documented this meeting.

But they have not incorporated a gender perspective and have not given attention to participation of

women in these meetings.

However, OPCB has not had any meeting with industry representatives despite the fact that several

new industries coming up in and around Paradeep. Neither has it had any interactions with the

existing ones like Indian Oil Company, POSCO and Essar Steel, Paradeep Phosphates and IFFCO.

At present, OPCB has an information cell and grievance cell. They are planning to set up a

dedicated cell in Paradeep as also a public display system for air and water quality and pollution

levels. They intend to have workshops and monthly meetings to share and disseminate information

about their findings.

Recommendations

The communication capacities of those monitoring the pollution levels have to be increased

especially as officials of Paradeep Municipality and the Orissa Pollution Control Board need to

work closely together. They must be sensitized towards increasing the participation of women in

public meetings and any other activity planned.

The industries should be brought on board as soon as possible keeping in mind that a brewery and a

fish processing unit are also in the pipeline. Since the cumulative effect of all these industries could

be phenomenal, the OPCB needs to communicate to all stakeholders the standards for the quality

and quantity of effluents discharged. Pollution Control Excellence Award and Pollution Control

Appreciation awards are a good strategy and needs to be used more effectively. This could in the

form of interactions with ward councillors and leaflets. It could also keep the public informed

through the local media. Keeping the media informed will facilitate informed reporting and help

make the activities more transparent. Messages of awareness can be promoted on International

Coast Clean up Day or World Environment Day or Earth Day.

Paradeep Municipality

The Municipality’s communication skills need to be developed especially as they do not have any

information cell. Their staff comprises technical persons and is limited in number. This is why they

hired a consultant to prepare their DPR. They have had one interaction with the OPCB to seek

environmental clearance for its landfill area.

Just one meeting had been held in which the primary participants were the councilors, local media

and a few others from the community. There has been no gender component to the project.

They have had no interaction with the Paradeep Port Trust, a key player in Paradeep especially

since it provides port facilities to many industries.

But communication and awareness generation has been identified as the most important component

of the project and they have identified shopkeepers, traders, hoteliers, hospitals and schools as the

local stakeholders who need to be kept in the loop.

Recommendations

The Paradeep Municipality needs to work with NGOs to reach out to communities. It needs to focus

on including a gender component and should develop linkages with SHGs, especially all-women

ones and tap them for solid waste management, segregation of waste and vermi composting. With

more rural areas coming into municipal limits, waste management could be an income generating

work for the women.

The success of the project depends on the cooperation of the community and the Municipality must

include the transient fisher group that settles on the coast during the season. So far they have been

excluded from all communications efforts.

A small core group could be formed that will include representatives of all local stakeholders and

regular meetings where the project components will be discussed. This will make project

proceedings transparent.

It also needs to develop linkages with the local media so that it can reach out to both urban and

rural stakeholders.

Orissa State Archaeology (Department of Culture)

The archaeology wing of the culture department comprises professional architects and engineers.

They have had one meeting with the people living in the project areas. But nothing has been

documented. Their communications capacity needs to be built as they will engage with the

community in the second phase of their project where the people will be involved in protection of

these monuments and trained in tourism related income generating activities.

The department has not been able to communicate this as an ICZMP component and how it can

help them increase their incomes if they protect the monuments.

Recommendations

The culture department has prepared a wonderful conservation, livelihood enhancement and shelter

plan. But there needs to be greater coordination between the tourism and culture departments to

promote the new heritage sites. It would also be useful for the communities to know the various

employment options that will open up for them.

Communications and transparency is needed since the local communities, some of them traditional

artisans, will be trained and employed for the excavation and restoration work.

The department of tourism needs to play a bigger role here to explain how the 36 villages living

close to these monuments can benefit from the enhanced tourism once the monuments are restored.

Here again, the department needs to exchange information with the local media. This will help in

raising awareness about the historical importance of the monument, help in increasing its tourist

potential and thereby generating additional incomes for the communities.

Tourism Department

The Orissa State Tourism Development Corporation is the implementing arm of the Tourism

Department in this project. The communication and awareness building abilities of the department

are good and so far they have held two meetings in five villages this year in which 31 people

participated. Here the department assured them that no land would be acquired or trees felled for

setting up any structures. They have also documented the minutes of these meetings.

Recommendations

Since there are other departments like the CDA, Forest (Wildlife) and Fisheries already working in

these areas, there needs to be better coordination between all of them. Only then can the ICZMP

activities benefit a larger constituency of villagers.

The community also needs to be educated about the ICZMP and the eco-sensitivity of the area that

they fall in so that they can be aware of the need for protecting the environment and understand the

concept of integration.

There must be greater acceptance of traditional knowledge and suggestions. For example, the

villagers of Sipakuda have suggested that instead of improving the existing narrow road that goes

through the village and connects to the new sea mouth, it would be environmentally more useful to

expand a road that bypasses their village so that both they and tourists are benefited.

Here the OTDC/Tourism department needs to convince the PWD or other concerned departments of

the practicality of this suggestion. So institution of a small coordination committee is recommended

comprising of all state departments that work in that region along with village representatives that

can participate in decisions taken.

The department needs greater capacity building on the concept of livelihood based tourism

activities and how to involve the community in its implementation. It also needs greater information

on eco friendly ways to dispose waste. Only then can it communicate good environmental practices

to the community and the tourists.

Wildlife Division/ Department of Forests and Environment

The wildlife wing of the forest department is involved in regular communications with the

community. It has formed eco development committees and brought in some women as members. It

is well aware that the restrictions imposed have led to conflicts between communities, essentially

fishermen, who are fighting for survival and do not observe the fish ban protocols. The Forest

department asserts that although it is the responsibility of the fishing department to inform

fishermen about the protocols related to fishing in all areas except Gahirmatha, (where it is their

job), they have had to do it.

The department has admitted that it has not been able to promote people’s participating in forest

management to the extent desired. Although 24 EDCs have been formed, there is still a divide and

the villager is still the underdog. There is also the man-animal conflict (between crocodile and

villager) and greater interaction of means to resolve this conflict is needed.

The department has also brought out in its training needs assessment that the foresters in the

wildlife wing lack the specific skills for nursery raising and plantation that is appropriate for

mangroves.

It has not had any interaction with the Tourism department on operational issues although this is an

eco-tourism project. Neither has it discussed the project with the fisheries department.

However, it has had some interaction with the communities where the eco-tourism has been planned

and some meetings have been documented.

Recommendations

The huge gap in communications between what has been planned for these villages and what has

been told to them has to be bridged. For example, the more immediate concern of the Naliapatia

village, 100 metres from the Brahmani river, also selected for eco-tourism, is the annual flooding of

the village. They want this to be addressed before any eco-tourism can be developed.

The image of the forest department as the stick wielding authority has to change so that there is

greater partnership and understanding between the people and the foresters.

A coordination committee with representatives of wildlife, fisheries and tourism departments,

fisherfolk and farmers is needed to bridge communication gaps.

Industries Department/ Coir Board

Though the Industries Department is a partner for implementation of the ICZMP, no representative

of the department has attended the few preparatory meetings for the ICZMP held in Bhubaneswar.

There has been some re-allocation of work within the department and it is not clear who will be

imparting the coir crafts skills as an alternative livelihood option to the coastal, and fishing

community along the Chilika-Gopalapur stretch.

Recommendations

Greater efforts are needed to push the department to select the nodal officer. The SPPC or CDA as

nodal body needs to coordinate. Also, documentation of earlier meetings can resolve the

communications lag arising from transfers or re-allocation of work. Since this does not seems to

have been done, it is recommended that as soon as the new nodal person is selected, it be impressed

upon him the usefulness of documentation so that communications gaps can be bridged without

impinging on the progress of the project.

Among Direct Stakeholders

Making Women Equal Partners

Women’s participation through self help groups has been quite successful in the state. Under the

ICZMP, all state PIAs are supposed to involve women in their activities. In Orissa their engagement

can be best seen in SHGs. However, while women SHGs know the importance of saving and

conservation there is not much awareness about ICZMP. The SHGs are a good platform for

awareness generation and can be used to build support. The fisherwomen not aware of the proposed

change in law or how the ICZMP will be different from the CRZ. However, they were open to

knowing more about benefits of ICZMP if it helped them to sustain lives during the ban period.

Recommendations

Women SHGs have shown it empowered women can catalyse the whole family to practice

conservation. Therefore, to motivate other women, PIAs can have information sharing with other

successful SHGs. Here CDA can play a good role as it is already involved in promoting SHGs in

another project and has made good interventions. For SHGs to carry forward the messages of

integrating development with livelihoods there needs to be a sustained interaction and constant flow

of information. Keeping in mind the levels of literacy, the modes of dissemination of these

messages could be in the form of SHG meetings, activities like group plays etc designed to facilitate

better understanding and encouragement to participate.

Farmers

Coastal communities involved in farming of subsistence crops like paddy are aware of the need for

plantations like casuarinas, babool, pandanas and other sand binding vegetation to protect them

from the sea, sand and natural calamities like storms and cyclones. Over the last 40 to 50 years, the

mangroves that once provided protection have disappeared and they are looking at other trees and

shrubs. Many of the agricultural villages have participated in plantation programmes and know

about conservation.

In these villages, where the local leaders are active and literate, farmers have heard about the

ICZMP. They are well informed about the danger to their villages if they do not have a bio shield

and other protective measures.

Since salt water sprays affect their fields in the absence of bioshields, many of the villagers are

taking to pisiculture and are willing to participate in conservation activities.

Since the survival of these farming villages is at stake, there is good scope for engagement with the

community.

Recommendations

Greater efforts are needed to communicate how agricultural incomes can be improved. Several

government departments are working here like the water resources department, Forests and

Fisheries Department. Inter-sectoral linkages here are crucial to achieving success here.

Agricultural experts can be brought on board to look to improved livelihood for these villages. Most

of the villagers are unwilling to move out of their homes but those prepared to do so should be

provided alternative sites and employment options.

Communications on ICZMP can be facilitated through formation of coastal committees involving

the farming community on the lines of EDCs. There needs to be constant, accurate communication

on the fast changing shoreline and the steps being taken to arrest this. There should be constant

communications through posters and leaflets in the local language, told simply, as well as periodical

meetings in which technical experts as well as civil society representatives who can keep them

updated on technical information as well as help with agricultural options.

Just like the state has initiated participatory irrigation management in the form of Pani Panchayats

to create sustainable irrigation infrastructure, institution of a similar committee will give the farmers

a sense of ownership of the conservation infrastructure planned in their areas and will ensure its

maintenance and management.

Fisherfolk

In Orissa, the fishing community is not that well organized though there are large fishermen

cooperatives. The number of members depends on the size of the village and can be as high as 650

members in one cooperative. Awareness of ICZMP among these cooperatives varies; where its

members are linked to the National Fishworkers Federation, there is awareness about ICZMP. But

where these cooperatives are engaged in making two ends meet, there is low awareness. They are

interested in compensation of Rs 150 per month per fisherman in the ban period as they feel that the

alternative livelihoods offered (under the ICZMP) by the fisheries department will not give enough

returns.

There is antagonism against the Olive Ridley Turtles because fishing has been banned to protect

them. The fisherwomen have come to the rescue of their beleaguered husbands and have formed

self help groups to supplement the family earnings..

Adjacent to the Bhitarkanika forest area there are 24 eco-development committees working closely

with the forest department and another four EDCs are to be developed under the ICZMP. With a

range of tourist facilities being developed close to the Bhitarkanika sanctuary, the EDCs of

Krushnanagar and Naliapatia are being roped into handling the enhanced tourist traffic to the park

and in mangrove plantation work of the forest department. This will improve their incomes and

reduce the fishermen’s pressure on the park. The EDC at Krushnanagar hopes to employ the local

community in constructing the jetty and managing the eight tourist cottages. The fisher folk have

asked for boats to bring in tourists. The President of the EDC is a retired and well respected school

teacher and the secretary is a forester. There are representatives of the minorities, SC, STs and three

local women on the committee. The group is expected to meet every three months but the first

round of discussions began only in May 2009.

The women of the village have formed self help groups and do collective farming and pisiculture.

They too expect training in crafts and appliqué work under ICZMP and the benefits of tourism. The

140 families of Krushnanagar hope to raise their monthly income from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000. Just

seven kms from the sea, Krushnanagar has been facing flood and cyclone fury but there is

increasing awareness among the people of the village on the need for living in harmony with nature.

Recommendations

Fisherfolk in Orissa face a unique situation as they cannot fish for eight months in the year.

Therefore, the alternate livelihoods planned under the ICZMP will be a lifeline. Therefore, not only

is inter-sectoral linkages between the departments of fisheries, forest and animal husbandry crucial,

but the levels of understanding among the implementing officials here must be high. In this context,

the right messages can contribute to better understanding of ICZM project. The message must be

one of being open to hearing the grievances and impressing upon the community that the options

offered to resolve the issue would protect their lives and livelihoods. This needs to be

communicated especially to the fishing community which breaches the regulation against fishing

during the long ban period because survival has priority over conservation. This will not only

minimize conflict between conservation vs. survival and also help protect marine life.

Focused attention needs to be given to concerns like marketing facilities and learning how to use

new technology to improve incomes.

PIAs should bring on board local NGOs working in the area and members of panchayats and

women’s SHGs to involve the community in all conservation projects.

Besides making these people their agents of communications, other modes of communication can

be TV and radio to make accurate information environment issues more interesting and demystify

technology useful to the community to protect lives and livelihoods. In addition, there can be exposure

visits and information sharing with fisher groups which have successfully adapted to combining

multiple income generating activities.

Panchayats

As persons accepted as leaders and elected representatives of the community, panchayat leaders are

important stakeholders. Where ever the PIA has been active, there is awareness of the ICZMP

among the panchayats. For example in Pentha, which is facing coastal erosion, its sarpanch

Nurnachandra Padiyari who interacts closely with engineers of the Water Resources Department

which will build protective measures, has been able to communicates with the other elected

representatives and villagers.

The gram panchayats are key links in ICZMP as they have been given the fishing rights of all

reservoirs up to 100 acres. They can lease these ponds to Primary Fishermen Cooperative Societies

registered under Orissa Cooperative Societies Act.

The panchayats also play a key role in bringing in fisher folk to the workshops conducted by the

Fisheries Department on the ban of use of zero nets that would trap very small fish. It is the

panchayats that have to create the awareness that trapping very small fish is not in the interest of

fish survival.

While gram panchayats are involved in raising awareness on protection issues and the alternative

livelihoods options, they need greater motivation to continue these efforts on a sustained basis.

Recommendations

If these leaders can be convinced, then PIAs can be assured that there will be full support for the

project. Therefore, the messages here need to be appropriate to the kind of priority activity chosen

and the livelihood benefits being generated. Modes of communication can be adapted to levels of

literacy. Posters, workshops, training programmes could be used to disseminate information. In

many areas panchayats have been given a computer under the PRI Act, this should be capitalised by

the PIAs. It is recommended that building capacity of the gram panchayat helper along with

panchayat leaders could facilitate better understanding of ICZMP goals using the local language.

Where ever there is broadband connection they could access the ICZMP sites. These sites too

should have local language section. Also, using the computer as mode of communication, maps of

the villages chosen as sub sites could be seen by the concerned villagers. Good graphics and

pictorial information could interest even those with little or no literacy skills. It may also be a good idea to get a touch screen on the various aspects of ICZMP and particularly about

the villages and the communities in Orissa. This could be common to all the villages so that there is a

sense of healthy competition among villages on the issue of protection and conservation

Messages for them must clearly spell out the roles and responsibilities envisaged for them like

representation in state coastal zone management authorities envisioned by the Swaminathan

committee.

Secondary stakeholders

Industry

None of the industries coming up around Paradeep have been called for meetings or presented the

larger picture of the ICZMP. In fact the chairman of the Orissa State Council of the Confederation

of India Industries and managing director of Paradeep Phosphates had not heard of the ICZMP.

However, those companies like Dhamra Port Pvt Ltd which is building Dhamra port, north of

Paradeep and about 15 kms away from Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and under fire for its potential

to damage turtle nesting grounds, are convinced about the need to integrate conservation and

industrialization. The industry representatives expressed their willingness to cooperate for the

implementation of ICZMP and contribute to development works for fisher folk and farmers living

in the vicinity of Paradeep and Dhamra.

They want interface with local community and local stakeholders to explain their point of view.

Recommendations

CII could bring together all potential stakeholders from the industries sector on a common platform.

The environment wing of CII acts as a mediator between industry and government for project

implementation. The industries which have upheld good conservation practices needs to be brought

on board. Their interventions like designing dredges which have turtle deflectors or dark lights so

that turtles or marine life can be protected can be discussed and adapted.

Academics

There are few academics that have expertise in coastal issues. The expertise of persons like

Professor Pratap K Mohanty, member of the Orissa State Coastal Zone Management Authority, also

teaches oceanography at the Department of Marine Sciences at Behrampore University was used in

the drafting of the ICZMP for Orissa but thereafter he has not been consulted. There is a need to

bridge the gap between the academics and the practitioners of coastal management. Information on

the various aspects of the coast and beaches is fragmented and the available information can be

utilized only when there is a networking of information available with all bodies involved in coastal

issues.

This lack of information has been accentuated by the fact that there is no common platform, on

which all the stakeholders of ICZMP can come together For example,

Prof Kishore Samal, who has retired from the Navakrishna Centre for Development Studies, and

has on done extensive research and published three books on coastal aquaculture, natural resource

management and poverty issues on the Orissa coast, was also not consulted on the ICZMP. It is not

known why he was not consulted.

Recommendations

Academics can contribute to a better understanding and their resources and research must be used.

It is recommended that they be part of a larger coordination committee that meets regularly to share

and discuss information that can help affected communities.

Academics can contribute to a better understanding and their resources and research must be used.

It is recommended that they be part of a larger coordination committee that meets regularly to share

and discuss information that can help affected communities. They could be taken to the field to help

in disseminating information about ICZMP benefits.

Media

Bhubaneswar- based journalists from Times of India, Indian Express, the Hindu, Orissa TV, Enaadu

TV and freelancers know very little about ICZMP. While district correspondents at Kendrapada

were more aware and involved on coastal erosion and turtle nesting stories, the state level

correspondents at the capital had not heard about the ICZM project though they all know about

Orissa being a rookery for the Olive Ridley Turtles.

Most newspapers have their correspondents or stringers in Kendrapara and do visit Pentha and the

sea coast for stories on the threatened villages. However they have fears that construction of

protective measures in one area could lead to erosion in other areas.

Recommendation

Television journalists expressed interest in documenting the ICZMP from inception over five years

so that the changes happening on the coasts could be recorded. They were willing to travel to

project site but needed sufficient notice for getting clearances from the office for travel etc.

Since most of the print media have correspondents in the districts, they felt they should be involved

in the day to day coverage. The state correspondents would be involved in state-level meetings on

policies, scientific and economic implications of the project.

Most of them said it was not easy to get access to senior government officers involved in

implementation of the project. They would therefore like the CDA, as the nodal agency for the

ICZMP to identify a PRO or Information officer from whom they can get information. The person

should have the authority to answer all questions or should be able to put them in touch with

officers who can give the information sought.

The press club at Kendrapara could be used for constant updates to the local media on the proposed

protective measures and their pros and cons. It would be better to take the media on board with

accurate technical information rather than have them shoot off stories that are ill-formed and could

create panic

NGOs

Orissa has some committed and well informed NGOs whether it is on wildlife, beach protection or

fisherman’s rights but so far they have not been formally brought on board or consulted. While

Biswajeet Mohanty, is on the Indian Board for Wildlife as well as the board of the Indian Institute

for Wildlife in Dehra Dun and secretary of the Orissa Wildlife Society, Jagannath Bastia is a

member of the Coastal Zone Management Authority, Orissa’s CRZ Demarcation Committee and

has been at the forefront of the Beach Protection Council of Orissa for the last 12 years. The

disappearance of sand dunes and the impact this could have on turtle nesting is a major concern of

the wildlife expert. Instead of piece meal efforts to check coastal erosion, NGOs support the need

for long term, scientifically backed coastal integration. However, doubts have been expressed about

plantation of casuarinas, an exotic species. In 2000-2001, the casuarina was planted at the mouth of

the Devi river had to be uprooted. Since this also happened in Tamil Nadu, NGOs warn against

unnecessary wastage of public funds. Bastia is concerned about the hotels coming up on the beaches

and has been fighting them in the courts. He organised a national workshop on January 18 on

coastal erosion and talked about the ICZMP. Participants included port authorities, hotel

associations, research scholars and others involved coastal development. ICZMP is needed but there

is not much awareness about it among the local people.

Opinions have been expressed about expanding the capacity of Paradeep Port instead of

commissioning more private ports in this ecological sensitive area for the turtles.

Recommendations

The NGOs have a crucial role to play. Many of them have linkages at the local level and are deeply

involved with the fishing communities living along the coastline. Interactive sessions could be a good

way to build a rapport with NGOs as both want livelihood security, protection of lives and conservation.

To ensure NGO participation their representatives must form a part of the village coordination

committee that also includes representatives of the coastal communities, industry, nodal body and

local media.

Stakeholder Issue Recommendation

Fisherfolk Fishing community face a

unique situation as they cannot

fish for eight months in the

year; is not that well organized

though there are large

fishermen cooperatives.

Awareness of ICZMP among

these cooperatives varies;

where its members are linked to

the National Fishworkers

Federation, there is awareness

about ICZMP. But where these

cooperatives are engaged in

making two ends meet, there is

low awareness; antagonism

against the Olive Ridley

Turtles; want better alternate

livelihood option ; Want

greater involvement in

decisions making bodies, want

credible information the exact

benefits of ICZMP including

recognition of their customary

rights

Inter-sectoral linkages between the

departments of fisheries, forest and

animal husbandry crucial, but the

levels of understanding among the

implementing officials here must be

high. In this context, the right

messages can contribute to better

understanding of ICZM project. The

message must be one of being open to

hearing the grievances and impressing

upon the community that the options

offered to resolve the issue would

protect their lives and livelihoods. This

needs to be communicated especially

to the fishing community which

breaches the regulation against fishing

during the long ban period because

survival has priority over conservation.

This will not only minimize conflict

between conservation vs survival and

also help protect marine life. Focused

attention needed on marketing facilities

and new technology to improve

incomes. PIAs should bring on board

local NGOs working in the area and

members of panchayats and women’s

SHGs as their agents of

communications, other modes of

communication can be TV and radio to

make accurate information environment

issues more interesting and demystify

technology useful to the community to

protect lives and livelihoods; exposure

visits and information sharing with

fisher groups which have successfully

adapted to combining multiple income

generating activities; co-opt their

representatives in village level

committees consulted for

developmental activities, document all

meetings in local language to give

message of transparency; employing a

member of the local community to

assist documentation will give sense of

ownership, using radio and television

programmes to make accurate

information environment issues more

interesting and demystifying research

helpful to the community to protect

lives and livelihoods. Use their

traditional knowledge to frame

messages

Farmers

Are aware of the need for

plantations like casuarinas,

babool, pandanas and other

sand binding vegetation to

protect them from the sea, sand

and natural calamities like

storms and cyclones. Limited

awareness of ICZMP; Many of

the agricultural villages have

participated in plantation

programmes and know about

conservation; taking to

pisiculture and are willing to

participate in conservation

activities

Greater efforts needed to communicate

how agricultural incomes can be

improved; Inter-sectoral linkages

between water resources department,

Forests and Fisheries Department

crucial; Agricultural experts can be

brought on board to look to improved

livelihood; Most of the villagers are

unwilling to move out of their homes

but those prepared to do so should be

provided alternative sites and

employment options.

Communications on ICZMP through

formation of coastal committees

involving the farming community on

the lines of EDCs. Constant, accurate

communication on the fast changing

shoreline and the steps being taken to

arrest it through posters and leaflets in

the local language, told simply;

periodical meetings including technical

experts and civil society

representatives to give updates on

technical information as well as help

with agricultural options.

Just like the state has initiated

participatory irrigation management in

the form of Pani Panchayats to create

sustainable irrigation infrastructure,

institution of a similar committee will

give the farmers a sense of ownership

of the conservation infrastructure

planned in their areas and will ensure

its maintenance and management.

Women

High women participation

through SHGs; women SHGs

know importance of saving and

conservation but not much

awareness about ICZMP. The

fisherwomen not aware of the

proposed change in law or how

the ICZMP will be different

from the CRZ. However, they

were open to knowing more

about benefits of ICZMP if it

helped them to sustain lives

during the ban period.

PIAs can have information sharing

with other successful SHGs. Here

CDA can play a good role as it is

already involved in promoting SHGs in

another project and has made good

interventions. For SHGs to carry

forward the messages of integrating

development with livelihoods there

needs to be a sustained interaction and

constant flow of information. Keeping

in mind the levels of literacy, the

modes of dissemination of these

messages could be in the form of SHG

meetings, activities like group plays etc

designed to facilitate better

understanding and encouragement to

participate. PIAs could identify local

leaders from within existing FPCs and

SHGs to carry forward the messages of

integrating development with

livelihoods. A sustained interaction

and constant flow of information could

help to implement these messages of

advocacy

Panchayats

Where even PIA is active,

panchayats are aware of

ICZMP; gram panchayats are

key links in ICZMP as they

have been given the fishing

rights of all reservoirs up to

100 acres. They can lease these

ponds to Primary Fishermen

Cooperative Societies

registered under Orissa

Cooperative Societies Act;

gram panchayats are involved

in raising awareness on

protection issues and the

alternative livelihoods options,

but need greater motivation to

continue these efforts on a

sustained basis. Are politically

active and need to be handled

sensitively

The messages here need to be

appropriate to the kind of priority

activity chosen and the livelihood

benefits being generated. Modes of

communication can be adapted to

levels of literacy. Posters, workshops,

training programmes could be used to

disseminate information. In many areas

panchayats have been given a

computer under the PRI Act, this

should be capitalised by the PIAs;

building capacity of the gram

panchayat helper along with panchayat

leaders could facilitate better

understanding of ICZMP goals using

the local language. Where ever there is

broadband connection they could

access the ICZMP sites. These sites too

should have local language section.

Also, using the computer as mode of

communication, maps of the villages

chosen as sub sites could be seen by

the concerned villagers. Good graphics

and pictorial information could interest

even those with little or no literacy

skills. It may also be a good idea to get a touch

screen on the various aspects of ICZMP

and particularly about the villages and

the communities in Orissa. This could be

common to all the villages so that there

is a sense of healthy competition among

villages on the issue of protection and

conservation

Messages for them must clearly spell

out the roles and responsibilities

envisaged for them like representation

in state coastal zone management

authorities envisioned by the

Swaminathan committee

Industry

No awareness about ICZMP

although none in project sub-

sites; not consulted or brought

on board for any discussion;

want interface with local

community and local

stakeholders to explain their

point of view and their

environmental initiatives;

willingness to cooperate for the

implementation of ICZMP and

contribute to development

works for fisher folk and

farmers

To make the process more

participatory, could ask for concrete

suggestions from industrial houses

about how they can contribute towards

protection of livelihoods ;industries

which have upheld good conservation

practices needs to be brought on board.

Their interventions like designing

dredges which have turtle deflectors or

dark lights so that turtles or marine life

can be protected can be discussed and

adapted.

CII good platform for discussion and

information sharing as environment

wing already constituted and could be useful allies. For this, there must be regular information exchange through

emails and one to one meetings. Taking some of their representatives for field visits could facilitate better understanding.

Academics

few academics have expertise

in coastal issues; Not enough

use made of their services; gap

between the academics and the

practitioners of coastal

Academics can contribute to a better

understanding and their resources and

research must be used. It is

recommended that they be part of a

larger coordination committee that

management; no networking of

information available;

awareness of project limited to

those consulted; unclear why

those actively researching same

issues left out; no common

platform on which all the

stakeholders of ICZMP can

come together

meets regularly to share and discuss

information that can help affected

communities; greater networking with

nodal body required; Could be taken to

the field to help in disseminating

information about ICZMP benefits

Media

Awareness of ICZMP low. At

the state level, correspondents

writing on development issues

including environment issues

had limited knowledge. But

keen to know more; not easy to

get access to senior government

officers involved in

implementation of the project

The English print and electronic media

prefers emails as modes of

information; vernacular media prefers

a fax.

Their interest and misconceptions, if

any, can be addressed by regular press

briefs, quick responses to queries,

making phone and email details of

relevant officials authorized to speak

available, regular interface and field

visits; Most newspapers have their

correspondents or stringers and must

be kept in the loop for accurate stories.

Can build TV-radio partnership for

greater communications coverage

NGOs

Committed and well informed

NGOs whether it is on wildlife,

beach protection or fisherman’s

rights, not been formally

brought on board or consulted.

Want greater involvement in

decisions related to

conservation in areas where

they are working; have

differences over plantation of

casuarinas, an exotic species

vis-à-vis local plants and the

number of ports coming up

Many of them have linkages at the

local level and are deeply involved

with the fishing communities living

along the coastline. Interactive sessions

could be a good way to build a rapport

with NGOs as both want livelihood

security, protection of lives and

conservation. To ensure NGO

participation their representatives must

form a part of the village coordination

committee that also includes

representatives of the coastal

communities, industry, nodal project

implementing unit and local media.

Industries

Department/ Coir

Board

No representative of the

department has attended the

few preparatory meetings for

ICZMP held in Bhubaneswar;

some re-allocation of work

within the department and it is

not clear who will be imparting

the coir crafts skills as an

Greater efforts needed to push the

department to select the nodal officer.

The SPPC or CDA as nodal body

needs to coordinate. Also,

documentation of earlier meetings can

resolve the communications lag arising

from transfers or re-allocation of work.

Since this does not seems to have been

alternative livelihood option to

the coastal, and fishing

community along the Chilika-

Gopalapur stretch.

done, it is recommended that as soon

as the new nodal person is selected, it

be impressed upon him the usefulness

of documentation so that

communications gaps can be bridged

without impinging on the progress of

the project.

Wildlife

Division/Department

of Forests and

Environment

Involved in regular

communications with the

community. It has formed eco

development committees and

brought in some women as

members. It is well aware that

the restrictions imposed have

led to conflicts between

communities, essentially

fishermen, who are fighting for

survival and do not observe the

fish ban protocols; dispute over

responsibilities between them

and fisheries dept; not been

able to promote people’s

participating in forest

management to the extent

desired; foresters in the wildlife

wing lack the specific skills for

nursery raising and plantation

that is appropriate for

mangroves. It has not had any

interaction with the Tourism

department on operational

issues although this is an eco-

tourism project. Neither has it

discussed the project with the

fisheries department; huge gap

in communications between

what has been planned for these

villages and what has been told

to them; had some interaction

with the communities where

the eco-tourism has been

planned and some meetings

have been documented.

The image of the forest department as

the stick wielding authority has to

change so that there is greater

partnership and understanding between

the people and the foresters. It must be

more amenable to listening to

community voices. In places where it

has done so, not only has conservation

been better but has also secured

livelihoods; capacity building and

training in communication skills of

forest guards and foresters, Since they

are the face of the project their

perceptions must be in tune with the

objectives; A coordination committee

with representatives of wildlife,

fisheries and tourism departments,

fisherfolk and farmers is needed to

bridge communication gaps. It needs to

strengthen the linkages it has built with

the women’s groups. Empowering

women economically will make them

better messengers of conservation

OTDC/Tourism

Department

Awareness building abilities of

the department are good, held

two meetings in five villages

Since there are other departments like

the CDA, Forest (Wildlife) and

Fisheries already working in these

this year in which 31 people

participated. Here the

department assured them no

land would be acquired or trees

felled for setting up any

structures. They have also

documented the minutes of

these meetings. But lack

understanding about

communicating livelihood

benefits, poor coordination

between other PIAs

areas, there needs to be better

coordination between all. Only then

can the ICZMP activities benefit a

larger constituency of villagers; The

community also needs to be educated

about the ICZMP and the eco-

sensitivity of the area that they fall in

so that they can be aware of the need

for protecting the environment and

understand the concept of integration.

There must be greater acceptance of

traditional knowledge and suggestions.

For example, the villagers of Sipakuda

have suggested that instead of

improving the existing narrow road

that goes through the village and

connects to the new sea mouth, it

would be environmentally more useful

to expand a road that bypasses their

village so that both they and tourists

are benefited. Here the OTDC/Tourism

department needs to convince the

PWD or other concerned departments

of the practicality of this suggestion.

So institution of a small coordination

committee is recommended comprising

of all state departments that work in

that region along with village

representatives that can participate in

decisions taken. The department needs

greater capacity building on the

concept of livelihood based tourism

activities and how to involve the

community in its implementation. It

also needs greater information on eco

friendly ways to dispose waste. Only

then can it communicate good

environmental practices to the

community and the tourists.

Orissa State

Archaeology

(Department of

Culture)

Comprises professional

architects and engineers and

low communications skills; has

not been able to communicate

this as an ICZMP component

and how it can help them

increase their incomes if they

Greater coordination between the

tourism and culture departments to

promote the new heritage sites; needs

to exchange information with the local

media. This will help in raising

awareness about the historical

importance of the monument, help in

protect the monuments.

increasing its tourist potential and

thereby generating additional incomes

for the communities.

Paradeep

Municipality

Communication skills need to

be developed as do not have

any information cell; staff

comprises technical persons

and limited in number; hired a

consultant to prepare their

DPR; had one interaction with

the OPCB to seek

environmental clearance for its

landfill area.; one meeting with

councillors, local media and

community; no gender

component to the project; no

interaction with the Paradeep

Port Trust, a key player in

Paradeep. But communication

and awareness generation has

been identified as the most

important component of the

project and they have identified

shopkeepers, traders, hoteliers,

hospitals and schools as the

local stakeholders who need to

be kept in the loop.

Needs to work with NGOs to reach out

to communities. It needs to focus on

including a gender component and

should develop linkages with SHGs,

especially all-women ones and tap

them for solid waste management,

segregation of waste and vermi

composting. With more rural areas

coming into municipal limits, waste

management could be an income

generating work for the women; must

include the transient fisher group that

settles on the coast during the season.

So far they have been excluded from

all communications efforts; A small

core group could be formed that will

include representatives of all local

stakeholders and regular meetings

where the project components will be

discussed. This will make project

proceedings transparent. It also needs

to develop linkages with the local

media so that it can reach out to both

urban and rural stakeholders.

Orissa Pollution

Control Board

They have held an interaction

on with the citizens of Paradeep

town Paradeep municipal

councillors, local teachers,

journalists and fisher folk to

apprise them about the setting

up of the laboratory and the

industries coming up in the

area. will involve fishermen to

report any change seen in the

coastal waters, have also

documented this meeting; not

incorporated a gender

perspective and have not given

attention to participation of

women in these meetings; no

meeting with industry

representatives of new or

existing ones; has an

Communication capacities of those

monitoring the pollution levels have to

be increased especially as officials of

Paradeep Municipality and the Orissa

Pollution Control Board need to work

closely together. They must be

sensitized towards increasing the

participation of women in public

meetings and any other activity

planned. The industries should be

brought on board as soon as possible;

communicate to all stakeholders the

standards for the quality and quantity

of effluents discharged. This could in

the form of interactions with ward

councillors and leaflets. It could also

keep the public informed through the

local media. Keeping the media

informed will facilitate informed

information cell and grievance

cell.; planning to set up a

dedicated cell in Paradeep as

also a public display system for

air and water quality and

pollution levels; intend to have

workshops and monthly

meetings to share and

disseminate information about

their findings.

reporting and help make the activities

more transparent. Pollution Control

Excellence Award and Pollution

Control Appreciation awards are a

good strategy and needs to be used

more effectively; messages of

awareness can be promoted on

International Coast Clean Up Day or

World Environment Day or Earth Day.

Fisheries Department

Communication skills of the

fisheries officials are good as

they have been engaged with

the community. There is

genuine concern for the

fishermen who are barred from

fishing for eight months of the

year; better communications

required on benefits of ICZMP

for community and alternative

livelihoods offered; inter-

sectoral linkages is poor; need

to develop stronger linkages

with gram panchayats

Men’s SHGs which are being formed

for the first would need some hand

holding. This means more sustained

communications and interaction. They

need a lot more convincing before they

take to the alternative livelihoods.

Since technical support for the

alternate livelihoods project will be

provided by the animal husbandry

department, there needs to be regular

coordination between the two state

departments and CDA. This will

facilitate delineation of responsibilities

especially since the fishermen need

training on marketing of their products

whether it is goats or prawns and

crabs; dovetailing with other existing

welfare schemes needed so that other

livelihood options like improving

business and employment

opportunities by setting up a rice mill

or hiring out their boats for tourism in

Chilika. The proposed manual on

livelihood options should be brought

out in local language and distributed

among the fishing communities and

fish workers cooperatives. Posters

could also be brought out on

alternative livelihoods and displayed at

fish landing centres, fish markets etc.

The economics of the alternative

livelihoods should be clearly spelt out

so that fishermen are not compelled to

ask for increased monetary

compensation for loss of business in

the fishing season. Here the gram

panchayats must be engaged so that

they can lease out ponds required for

crab fattening.

Water Resources

Department

Lag in understanding how to

communicate the benefits of

this project and integrate it with

the ICZMP concept within the

present team because of

transfers of earlier team; does

not have any mechanism to

disseminate information

Information about geo tubes is very

technical and there are divergent views

on the effectiveness of this measure;

concept be explained to them with the

help of visual media as levels of

literacy are low. They need more

information, through posters, short

films in the local language; local

leaders like panchayat members could

be involved; department needs to build

its skills to increase people’s

participation; strategy to involve the

community instead of forest dept for

plantation work should be explained to

them; messages could be given in one

to one interactions or gram sabha

meetings; need for stability in the

officers in charge at least for the first

three years of the project to ensure

there is no divergence in understanding

or communicating of basic tenets of

ICZMP. Co-ordination and

integration of work by forest, fisheries

and animal husbandry depts required

for benefits to accrue to a larger

population.

OSDMA

Levels of understanding of the

ICZMP concepts within

OSDMA are high as it has been

constituted especially for

disaster preparedness.

Communication skills are also

good as it has good experience

in community engagement;

formed cyclone shelter

management and maintenance

committees (CSMMC).

Members of these committees

are from the community and all

decision related to the

CSMMCs are taken by them;

held meetings in each of the 14

villages where it will construct

Work of the OSDMA and the

competence of the trained local

communities during calamities should

be documented and shared with the

other coastal communities who will be

getting shelters under the ICZMP.

There should also be greater

communication for optimum utilization

of the multi-purpose cyclone shelters;

needs to increase women participation

in all meetings; can give women

greater responsibility and train them to

take charge of these committees.

the multi-purpose cyclone

shelters under the project.

These meetings have been

documented. The Authority is a

well oiled body and has

informed and organized nodal

officer for this project.

Needs to focus more on gender

participation. Although it has

women in the CSMMCs, it has

not specified the number of

women that must be a part of

these committees;

SPPC

All three consultants are clued

into the ICZM programme and

are assisting the partners in the

field. Have documented most

of meetings held; however is

not clear about who will

disseminate information about

ICZMP to those other than

PIAS

Until a communications officer is

appointed, the senior most SPPC

member Dr Sahu could be authorised

to disseminate information that will not

impinge upon the project and yet be

able to generate awareness. Being an

ecologist Dr Sahu has the right

background and knowledge about

ICZM and is also well informed about

the project components and its benefits

Chilika Development

Authority

Expertise in coastal

management and research

activities prior to the project

and its involvement with the

coastal communities has helped

it to build a rapport with the

people. It can therefore share

its experience with other PIAs.

As an implementing partner,

the levels of understanding of

the basic concepts among the

officials are also good. The

main challenge here has arisen

over the separation of the nodal

body (CDA) from the state

project preparation cell (SPPC).

Advantage of this is it allows

the SPPC to devote full time to

the project, the disadvantage is

that it has not being given the

authority to disseminate

information about ICZMP with

stakeholders other than the

Some informal exchange of

information by CDA has taken place

but this has been to one or two persons.

Considering that some of the PIAs like

the OSDMA, Departments of Fisheries

and Water Resources has had meetings

on ICZMP among their constituencies,

no harm would have been done if the

same information could have been

communicated to a larger group; could

have held one initial meeting after the

SPPC was constituted as was done by

the ICZMP nodal body in the state of

West Bengal. Alternatively, it could

have followed the Gujarat ICZMP

nodal body which invited academics

and NGOs to give their inputs during

the training needs assessment

workshop.

one of the SPPC members can be

authorized to disseminate information

that is relevant at this stage so that

there is better coordination and rapport

PIAs. The head of CDA is also

the head of the nodal body and

could take on the responsibility

of communications. However,

he feels that he will not be able

to do justice to CDA if he takes

on the additional responsibility

of being part of the SPPC.

Perhaps this is why there have

been no formal meetings with

representatives of industry,

media and NGOs about ICZMP

or about the formation of

SPPC; reservations expressed

about communicating formally

about the project until the

agreement has been signed

among all stakeholders at the

implementation stage. There needs to be some mechanism to

demystify research useful to the

community to protect lives and

livelihoods. This could be in the form of

short films or street plays