INDIA: Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project

INDIA Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (P007985)
First Implementation Support Mission, June 2011
site specific environment management measures to prevent construction related impacts on ambient water
or air. Visit to the sites for main sewerage pipelines and the proposed sewage treatment plants; and to the
sites where mangroves have been planted confirmed that environmental avoidance and mitigation
measures are given adequate attention.
6. Field visits also confirmed (on a sample basis) that the entry point activities already implemented by
various CBOs, SHGs or EDCs have ensured appropriate environment management. As part of the
capacity building and community mobilization activities organized by SPMUs and PEAs, substantial
effort is placed on ensuring that all aspects of the entry point activities and the larger livelihood
enhancement options are in line with the environmental conservation and pollution prevention aspects of
the Project. In the villages that the Project is currently operating, there had been substantial progress in
planning to improve the overall village environment, beyond the activities financed by the Project. Most
notable such additional benefits with relation to environmental management have been the agreements to
focus on improving village sanitation, and on solar lighting for household and for street lighting. As part
of the Project, most village level entry point activities are therefore, now related to (i) village sanitation,
(ii) solar lighting of streets and community spaces, (iii) solar cookers, (iv) bio-gas plants, albeit some
village roads have been financed. An excellent effort on social mobilization and related CBO/SHG
formation has been undertaken by the SPMU. As a direct result, this is expected to enhance the
sustainable plantation of mangroves, shelterbelts and development of bio-shields, together with
appropriate activities for improved, and alternative where appropriate, livelihood for the vulnerable
coastal communities. Indirectly, this is expected to play a crucial role in co-management principles of the
Project, and in reducing conflicts among various stakeholders.
7. In Odisha, the priority investments such as the cyclone shelters are being implemented with adequate due
diligence. For each of the cyclone shelters, site level social and environmental screening has been
completed; all environmental mitigation measures and relevant codes of practice had been incorporated in
the bid documents; and the community level awareness and mobilization activities devoted adequate
attention to the site level pollution and hygiene issues. For the 11 cyclone shelters which needed clearance
with respect to the CRZ Notification, such clearances have been obtained. The laboratory building of the
Odisha State Pollution Control Board at Paradip is being designed with the best environmental standards
and pollution control norms. For all other priority investments which are yet to be implemented on
ground, the detailed project reports include adequate level of environmental mitigation measures, and
these will be or are being incorporated in the bid documents. During the mission, specific discussion with
respect to the proposed eco-tourism facilities at Tampara Lake, included an agreement that the proposal
will be revised to exclude introduction and operation of motor boats (and equivalent where there is chance
of water pollution from unspent fuel or accidental discharges), and this facility be instead designed for
leisure water sports rather than high speed adventure water sport. The SPMU and the PEAs have
forwarded all applications for CRZ clearance (these activities need clearance even if these are
permissible) to either the SCZMA or the NCZMA. These applications include 2 camp sites (Khirisahi and
Balianla) as part of the ecotourism activity by the Wildlife Department; ecotourism activity at Bakrul by
the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation; cultural heritage conservation activities for the Ganjam
Fort and at the Bhabakundaleswar Temple, Manikpatna. All CRZ clearances are expected to be available
by October 2011.
8. A major activity in the Project was related to the additional study and assessment related to the 8
identified cultural heritage properties proposed for conservation and enhancement in the project, and
related to the improvement and augmentation of the State Museum at Bhubaneswar. The assignment had
the objectives of (a) preparing appropriate site plans and conceptual designs to create and integrate
appropriate ambience and infrastructure to facilitate income earning opportunities for the local
communities around the 8 identified heritage properties; (b) identifying opportunities for restoration of
traditionally intended use of the eight identified heritage properties; and if such opportunities are viable,
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