World Bank may sanction funds for ICZM project by month-end

The World Bank is reported to have expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project being implemented by the Orissa government. It is likely to sanction grant for the project by the end of this month.

Jack Rotenberg, a senior World Bank official who visited the state recently, had a detailed analysis of the project. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of the project and is expected to submit his final report to the World Bank in Washington soon.

Subsequently, a meeting of the officials of the World Bank, the Government of India (GoI) and the Orissa government is scheduled to be held in Washington to sanction grant for the project, sources said.

“We have submitted the draft of the detailed project report (DPR) for ICZM project and hope to get the World Bank’s nod for the project by the end of June 2009”, Bhagirathi Behera, director, environment, Orissa government, told Business Standard.

The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 140 crore and will cover 120 km coastal stretch from Dhamara, Paradeep,Chilika and Gopalpur.

The project was submitted to the World Bank for assistance in September 2008 and the bank had agreed in principle to provide Rs 140 crore to it, sources added.

The project aims to check coastal erosion, promote eco-tourism, ensure security of livelihood activities of coastal fishermen and help conservation of bio-diversity, preservation of old cultural heritage and preservation of wild life in Bhitarakanika sanctuary among others.

The scope of the project include setting up of a solid waste management facility, construction of a 700 metre long geo-tube synthetic bundh at Penths near Rajnagar.

Further, to check coastal pollution, a research centre is proposed to be set up at Paradeep.

Meanwhile, the state government has registered the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Society of Orissa under the societies’ registration act for smooth financial transaction of the World Bank funds.

The planning and co-ordination department has concurred for budget provisions for smooth expenditure and needful utilisation of the grant.

The nodal authority for the project, the state environment department has conducted a number of field visits and co-ordination meetings with other departments for the finalisation of the work, sources said.

The Union ministry of environment and forests selected Orissa, Gujarat and West Bengal for implementation of ICZM on a pilot basis. The World Bank assisted pilot project will be followed up by a full-fledged Coastal Zone Management Plan. The Orissa government plans a series of oceanic process studies to understand the trends of soil erosion, sediment transportation, budgeting and environmental flow of water in coastal zones of the state, sources added.