Odisha reviews ARISE project for coastal resilience

Odisha officials are reviewing a proposal to strengthen coastal protection and climate resilience across the state’s 573-kilometer coastline. The initiative, called the Adaptive Resilience Investment in Coastal Systems (ARISE) Project, was discussed at a high-level meeting on Saturday at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

Minister Emphasizes Full Coastal Strategy

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired the meeting and stressed the need for an approach that combines coastal protection, environmental conservation, livelihood security, biodiversity protection and economic sustainability. The project should help coastal communities and ecosystems withstand increasingly severe climate impacts, he said.

A preliminary coastline assessment has been completed jointly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). Officials have also consulted with multiple state departments on key issues including coastal erosion, sediment management and protecting vulnerable villages and the people who live there.

Those consultations produced a preliminary report that was reviewed in detail during Saturday’s meeting.

Regional Cooperation and Phased Implementation

The ADB has been working with several other coastal states on similar initiatives. Karnataka has already completed the first phase of its coastal protection project. Once the final assessment for Odisha is complete, the ARISE Project will proceed in phases with targeted interventions across the state.

The plan calls for integrated measures to address erosion along the entire coastline. Officials emphasized scientific and technology-driven approaches to reduce erosion, protect vulnerable stretches and build long-term resilience.

Sediment management and coastal protection were identified as key components of the proposed work. The meeting highlighted the importance of understanding natural coastline trends and using research-based methods to manage sediment movement and deposition. Strengthening natural coastal defenses and implementing protective measures at specific vulnerable points were discussed as part of the strategy.

Economic Development and Institutional Capacity

Beyond physical protection, officials explored how to develop Odisha’s Blue Economy by tapping the state’s marine resources responsibly. The goal is to create livelihood and economic opportunities for coastal communities while supporting broader economic growth.

Climate-resilient coastal tourism also came up for discussion. Participants considered sustainable tourism models that balance economic opportunities with environmental protection, aiming to strengthen both tourism infrastructure and community resilience against natural hazards.

For implementation, the project would prioritize institutional strengthening, capacity building and advanced technological systems. This includes enhancing the technical skills of officials and personnel involved in coastal management, as well as promoting knowledge sharing among stakeholders.

An integrated monitoring system using real-time data and digital platforms would track coastal erosion, improve hazard forecasting and support decision-making. The approach outlined during the meeting aims to be long-term, scientific and sustainable while addressing multiple challenges simultaneously.