Reply filed by the state of Odisha regarding increasing instances of high energy swell waves, May 1, 2025
Reply filed by the Director, Environment-cum-Special Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Odisha and Member Secretary, Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority, May 1, 2025.
NGT, had registered suo motu in response to the news item in the Hindu, May 4, 2024 titled "Swell waves likely to strike coastal areas over weekend."
The Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), 2019 of Odisha has been approved by MoEFC&CC on June 1, 2021. Public hearings were conducted in all the 7 coastal districts of Odisha during CZMP preparation.
The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, MoEF&CC had already carried out a National Assessment of Shoreline Changes in Odisha coast in the year 2011. The study indicated that the coast of Odisha is largely accreting (46.8%), 14.4 per cent is stable and erosion (high, medium and low) accounts for 36.8 per cent and 2 per cent of artificial coast (sea wall).
The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) including erosion maps in the Coastal Zone Management Plan as per CRZ Notification, 2019 for the state of Odisha is under process in compliance to the order of NGT, April 11, 2022. The report will provide a roadmap for sustainable development as well as the protection of coastal area. The authorized agencies of MoEF&CC has been requested for submission of proposal for SMP preparation.
Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority (OCZMA) has recommended proposals submitted by different stakeholder departments pertaining to coastal protection measures like, sea wall, groynes, embankments and plantations.
Under consideration was the issue of increasing instances of high energy swell waves, which is a phenomenon also known as Kallakadal. The court said that reason and remedial action need consideration in the matter.