Mangroves, casuarinas to be planted along 575-km coast

Odisha’s 575-km coastline is highly vulnerable to various natural calamities like floods and cyclones. It has witnessed repeated devastation over the past seven years from major cyclones, including Titli in 2018, Fani in 2019, Amphan in 2020, Yaas and Jawad in 2021, and Dana in 2024. These cyclones have caused widespread damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, and ecosystems, while traditional defences such as embankments and sea dykes have suffered severe damage.

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With conventional measures proving inadequate, the state Water Resources department has drawn up a new plan to restore ecological balance and reduce cyclone impact through large scale plantation drives. At an emergency meeting held December 20, 2024, the department had decided to plant tropical mangrove and casuarina saplings along the vulnerable coastline of the state.

In this backdrop, Subrat Kumar Nayak, Additional Secretary, state Water Resources department has instructed senior scientists of the state Forest, Environment, and Climate Change department to take necessary steps, August 6, 2025.