Orissa yet to submit proposal for NMRI to Centre

The Orissa government is yet to submit a proposal for setting up of a National Mangrove Research Institute (NMRI) though the Centre had in principle agreed to locate such an institute in the state.

The chief minister Naveen Patnaik had requested the Union minister of state for environment and forests (MoEF), Jayram Ramesh for setting up of this institute in Orissa during his discussion at New Delhi on 25 September 2009.

The Union minister, on his part, had agreed to the proposal as the proposed institute could monitor the impact of the sea level rise, cyclones associated tidal surges and other anthropogenic pressures on mangroves.

Since mangroves along the coast can help in minimising the damage caused by tsunami, cyclones and super cyclones, the setting up this institute is of immense importance for the state.

However, the state forest and environment department is yet to work in this regard and forward the proposal to the Delhi.

On the other hand, the state government has sent two other proposals for setting up of Rs 50 crore Coastal Zone Management Institute (CZMI) and Rs 54 crore National Wetland and Coastal Eco-system Research and Training Centre to the Centre for approval. The chief minister had discussed about these two institutes with the Union minister along with establishment of NMRI in the state.

The CZMI seeks to promote economic and ecological development and ensure proper management of coastal and marine resources in the coastal areas. Similarly, holistic research encompassing catchments, coasts, shelf-seas and on their processes along with capacity building activities are proposed to be taken up by the institute.

The proposed National Wetland and Coastal Eco-system Reserach and Training Centre aims to enhance skills for assessment of values of wetland and diagnosis of threat to wetland eco-systems. Besides, it will work for transfer of technology for regeneration of wetland and capacity building for irrigation of wetland, sources added.