Odisha Case Study

Question 1

General Odisha Facts

Answer 1

• State on the eastern coast of India bordering the Bay of Bengal.
• India’s 9th largest state by area, 11th by population.
• It has a relatively straight coastline, about 480km long.’
• The narrow, level strip of the Odisha Coastal Plains supports the majority of the population.
• Mostly comprised of depositional landforms of recent origin (post-Tertiary period)
• Six major deltas feeding into the sea.

Question 2

Characteristics of the Coastline

Answer 2

• Wide range of coastal and marine flora and fauna (including 1435km squared of mangrove forest).
• Chilika Lake is a brackish salty lagoon, well renowned for birdlife.
• During the monsoon season, the lake becomes less saline, and occupies a larger area (a good example of a temporary water store).
• The beach that has created the lake is an important store within the coastal system.
• Essentially a depositional coastline, representing a significant sediment store.

Question 3

Opportunities for Human Development

Answer 3

• Odisha’s coastal zone has a wide variety of marine and coastal flora and fauna (mangroves, sea grasses, salt marshes, sand dunes, estuaries and lagoons).
• Large stocks of marine life
• Potential for offshore wind, tidal and wave energy.
• 35% of the coastline is rich in mineral and metal materials.
• Potential use of offshore oil and natural gas.
• Local people employed in coastal fishing.
• Cultural and archaeological sites (tourism).
• Coastal beaches and wildlife sanctuaries (tourism).
• Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary has over 150 migratory and resident species of bird.

Question 4

Risks of Human Development

Answer 4

• Rates of erosion have increased, partly through natural processes but also from human intervention methods used to protect infrastructures.
• Increased vulnerability of coastal communities to storm surges and tsunami as well as long term threats from climate change and sea level change.
• Attempting to halt natural coastal processes with sea walls and other hard structures only shifts the problem to downward coastal areas. Sand sources that feed and sustain the system could be eliminated.

Question 5

Figures and Facts of Odisha Shoreline Change

Answer 5

• The Odisha coastline is largely accreting (46.8%) and 36.85 erosion - 14.4% is stable.
• Most of the accretion is north.
• Most of the erosion is south, area of major structures preventing natural processes from occurring.
• The presence of mangrove vegetation (areas such as Bhadrak)has led to increased levels of accretion more than 50% higher than others.

Question 6

Overall View on the Odisha Coastline

Answer 6

• The coastline is subject to dynamic change.
• It is affected by significant seasonal variation in wave energy and sediment input via the region’s major rivers.
• Human intervention has interfered with sediment transfer and patterns of wave energy, resulting in severe erosion.

Question 7

Odisha Vs Tropical Cyclones

Answer 7

• It is suggested that the frequency and intensity of storms may increase from climate change.
• October 2013, a cyclone hit Odisha with winds of 200km/h, tearing down powerlines and uprooting trees.
• 1 million people were evacuated from areas deemed of great risk.
• 44 people died.
• Thousands affected.
• 500,000ha of crops were lost.
• US$700,000 economic losses.

Question 8

Odisha Response to Cyclones

Answer 8

• Relief supplies ahead of an approaching storm.
• Broadcast warnings.
• Conducting staged evacuations.

Question 9

Managing the Odisha Coastline

Answer 9

ICZM aims to:
- establish sustainable levels of economic and social activity.
- resolve environmental, social and economic challenges and conflicts.
- protect the coastal environment.

Things be done:
- Eco-cottages near Chilika Lake.
- Planting/replanting mangroves (e.g Mahanadi Delta).
- Building cyclone shelters.