Lok Sabha Question No. 2218 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Biodiversity Conservation in Odisha’s Coastal and Riverine Ecosystems
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Avimanyu Sethi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2218

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Biodiversity Conservation in Odisha's Coastal and Riverine Ecosystems

## 2218.  SHRI AVIMANYU SETHI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any specific plans or initiatives to conservebiodiversity within the coastal and riverine ecosystems of the State of Odisha, particularly  focusing  on  rare  and  endangered  flora  and  fauna  in  Bhadrak  and surrounding regions;
- (b) the  details  of  measures  being  implemented  to  protect  and  restore  habitats  critical forsustaining  biodiversity  in  these  ecosystems,  with  a  focus  on  balancing  ecological preservation with local community needs; and
- (c) the details of metrics or indicators used to assess the success of these biodiversityconservation  efforts,  especially  in  terms  of  preserving  species  unique  to Odisha's coastal andriverine areas?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) and (b) The Government of India has taken several steps and initiatives to conserve the biodiversitywithin the coastal and riverine ecosystem  of State of Odisha including  Bhadrak  and  surrounding  regions  which  includes  implementation  of National Mission on Sustainable Habitat; National Water Mission; Green India Mission; National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems; Amrit Dharohar; Water Resources programme for Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water bodies; Nagar Van Yojana; Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and  Tangible  Incomes;  and  Compensatory  Afforestation  Fund  Management (CAMPA).

The  Government  of  India,  in  collaboration  with  Government  of  Odisha  has undertaken significant measures including the rehabilitation of mangroves as part of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP), which encompasses  reforestation  activities  in  regions  such  as  Bhitarkanika  and  the Baitarani delta to safeguard biodiversity and alleviate the effects of cyclones.

Further, for overall biodiversity assessment of Bhadrak and surrounding regions, the  People's  Biodiversity  Register  has  been  documented  that interalia includes information  regarding  agricultural  land,  fallow  lands,  marshy  land,  swamps, riverine tracts, creeks, estuary, oceans and ponds and wide array of biodiversity.

The  measures  undertaken  to  protect  and  restore  habitats  critical  for  sustaining biodiversity in coastal and  riverine ecosystem  pertaining  to  Bhadrak  and surrounding  regions  includes  planting  indigenous  and  mixed  species  in  forest areas,  formation  of  Vana  Surakhya  Samitis  (VSSs)  and  Eco  Development Committees  (EDCs),  distribution  of  saplings  of  different  species,  creation  of water-bodies, raising of mangrove and casuarina plantations.

- (c) To  evaluate  the  effectiveness  of  biodiversity  conservation  initiatives  in  the coastal  and  riverine  regions  of  Odisha,  various  essential  metrics  and  indicators are  commonly  utilized  such  as  assessments  and  documentation  of  biodiversity richness,  including  surveys  of  species  diversity  and  abundance.  These  metrics encompass trends in species populations, particularly focusing on distinctive or threatened  species  such  as  Olive  Ridley  turtles,  Irrawaddy  dolphins,  estuarine crocodiles, and Horseshoe Crab, which are emblematic of these areas.

In addition, Planning and Convergence Department, Government of Odisha has formulated  the  Odisha  Sustainable  Development  Goals  Indicator  Framework (OSIF) document in consultation with all departments and devised indicators for monitoring  the  achievement  of  Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs)  in  the State. The indicators used to assess the achievement of SDG Goals - Life Below Water (SDG 14) and Life on Land (SDG 15) have direct relevance to biodiversity conservation  efforts.  These  indicators inter  alia include  percentage  change  in area  under  mangroves,  percentage  change  in  Marine  Protected  Areas  (MPA), percentage  of  Tree  Outside  Forest  in  total  forest  cover,  conservation  of  local wildlife species.

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