Odisha, blessed with a coastline of 482 km should rise to the occasion by designing and implementing a comprehensive, robust climate policy to limit the magnitude of risks posed by the climate change and adapt to its expected impacts. The State requires undertaking advanced scientific research on both current and possible future climate scenarios and on diverse cross-cutting themes. It needs to study the effects on various sectors employing different analytical tools. Shoreline erosion, seawater intrusion, frequent cyclones and loss in coastal biodiversity are already a concern in many areas of the State. This necessitates the constitution of an expert committee selecting scientists from climatology, oceanography, environment, biology, geography and social sciences to deal with the crisis.
Experts expressed such opinions while participating in a webinar held on the theme ‘Coastal ecosystems of Odisha: Human impacts and changing scenario – II’ by the Orissa Environmental Society (OES) here. Organised under the chairmanship of OES president Dr Sundara Narayana Patro, the webinar had Prof Pratap Kumar Mohanty from Department of Marine Sciences, Berhampur University and Prof Bisnu Prasad Dash from Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, FM University as the distinguished speakers.
Prof Mohanty presented a talk on ‘Coastal processes and cyclonic storms along Odisha coast: Impact analysis with special reference to turtle nesting habitats’. He narrated how erosion and accretion processes are occurring along the coast commensurate with the developmental activities, thereby causing ecosystem disruptions in the coastal region. He also explained how nesting process of Olive Ridley turtles was upset in the post-cyclonic period after episodes of Phailin, Hudhud and Titli. Prof Dash spoke on the topic ‘Horseshoe crabs in Odisha coast: Significance, bio-prospecting and conservation issues’. He narrated how various human activities, including infrastructural developments and fishing activities are pushing the horseshoe crab species into the threatened category.
At the beginning, OES secretary Dr Jaya Krushna Panigrahi, presented the welcome address and elucidated the significance of the theme. Dr Patro in his presidential remark emphasized on putting more priority to the protection and conservation of flora and fauna of costal zones, including mangrove ecosystems. OES vice president Dr Lala AK Singh introduced the guests. During the interaction session various questions raised by the delegates were discussed. The webinar ended with vote of thanks by senior wildlife scientist Dr Sudhakar Kar.