Odisha Coastal Erosion: 28% Coastline Undergoing Erosion

UPSC Mapping

• Prelims: Environment & Disaster Management
• Mains: GS Paper 3 (Environment & Disaster Management)

Quick Facts

Erosion-affected	28.3% of coastline
Most Erosion-Prone District	Jagatsinghpur (47.6%)
Villages Submerged	16 (Kendrapara)

What is Odisha Coastal Erosion?

Odisha Coastal Erosion refers to the gradual loss of land along the state’s 564-km coastline due to natural forces and human activities. According to a National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) study (1990–2022), 28.3% of the coast is eroding, 17.6% remains stable, and 54.1% is accreting.

The most vulnerable stretches include Jagatsinghpur (47.6% erosion), Ganjam (45.7%), and Kendrapara (45%). Factors driving erosion include waves, tides, storms, sea-level rise, port construction, unplanned infrastructure, and sand mining. Sixteen villages in Kendrapara have already been submerged.

Why is Odisha Coastal Erosion in News?

The issue gained attention after a Rajya Sabha reply by the Union Minister, citing the NCCR study. In response to an Odisha MP’s query, the government highlighted the resettlement policy—the country’s first climate-oriented policy—geotextile tube embankments, and sea wall-cum-serving roads as mitigation measures.

Key Features of Odisha Coastal Erosion

• High Vulnerability: Six coastal districts (Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore) are affected.
• Cyclone Prone: Frequent storm surges exacerbate erosion.
• Sediment Dynamics: Rivers like the Mahanadi supply sediment, but dams and coastal structures disrupt the budget.
• Longshore Drift: Hard structures interrupt sediment flow, causing erosion elsewhere.
• Ecosystem Impact: Chilika Lake and other coastal ecosystems suffer from saltwater intrusion and shoreline alteration.

Challenges in Managing Odisha Coastal Erosion

• Sea-Level Rise: Climate change accelerates erosion and saltwater intrusion.
• Hard Structures: Sea walls and jetties transfer erosion downstream.
• Sand Mining: Illegal extraction reduces sediment supply.
• Development Pressure: Unplanned coastal projects worsen vulnerability.
• Livelihood Loss: Fishing communities and farmers face displacement and income loss.

Way Forward

• Combine hard engineering (geotextile tubes, sea walls) with nature-based solutions (mangrove restoration, beach nourishment).
• Promote managed retreat—voluntary relocation from high-risk zones.
• Strictly enforce Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and regulate sand mining.
• Implement climate-resilient planning and early warning systems.
• Adopt international best practices (e.g., UNEP guidelines) for coastal management.

Prelims Practice Corner

Q1. What percentage of Odisha’s coastline is undergoing erosion?

Options: (a) 17.6%   (b) 28.3%   (c) 54.1%   (d) 45.7%

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Answer: (b) 28.3%

Q2. Which district is the most erosion-prone in Odisha?

Options: (a) Ganjam   (b) Jagatsinghpur   (c) Kendrapara   (d) Puri

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Answer: (b) Jagatsinghpur (47.6%)

Q3. What is a geotextile tube?

Options: (a) A type of fishing net   (b) A large synthetic fabric tube filled with sand   (c) A pipe for drainage   (d) A tube for transporting water

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Answer: (b) A synthetic container filled with sand to absorb wave impact.

Q4. Which lagoon in Odisha is affected by coastal changes?

Options: (a) Sambhar Lake   (b) Chilika Lake   (c) Vembanad Lake   (d) Pulicat Lake

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Answer: (b) Chilika Lake

Q5. What is managed retreat as a coastal adaptation strategy?

Options: (a) Building more sea walls   (b) Relocating communities from high-risk areas   (c) Dredging rivers   (d) Planting more trees

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Answer: (b) Planned relocation from vulnerable coastal zones.

Mains Practice Questions

Q1. Discuss the causes and impacts of coastal erosion in Odisha, and evaluate the measures being taken to address it. (250 words, 15 marks)

Q2. What is the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) framework, and how does it help in managing coastal erosion? (150 words, 10 marks)

FAQs on Odisha Coastal Erosion

What is causing coastal erosion in Odisha?

Natural factors (waves, tides, cyclones, sea-level rise) and human activities (port construction, sand mining, unplanned development).

How many villages have been submerged in Kendrapara?

Sixteen villages have been submerged due to sea-level rise and coastal erosion.

What is a sea wall-cum-serving road?

A dual-purpose structure: the outer tier defends against waves, and the inner tier serves as a local transport road.