Rs 335-crore Coastal Zone Management Project from next fiscal
The ICZMP is being implemented
in Gujarat, West Bengal and Odisha in the first phase and AP and other
coastal States were selected for the project in the second phase.
VIJAYAWADA: The government is gearing up to implement the
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP), under which the
State will get Rs 335 crore from the Centre. The project is funded by
the World Bank. Works under the project will be launched in the next
financial year.
Special Chief Secretary (Environment,
Forest, Science and Technology) Neerabh Kumar Prasad, who held a meeting
with the representatives of the World Bank a few days ago, said that
under the ICZMP, several works for strengthening the 974-km-long
coastline, protecting biodiversity and effective waste management will
be taken up by involving various departments and organisations such as
the AP State Biodiversity Board.
Speaking to TNIE, Neerabh explained that
as part of the ICZMP, the government will take up the shelter belt
plantation across the coastline spread from Srikakulam district to
Nellore district. Under shelter belt, plants will be grown along the
coast to protect the coastal areas from heavy winds, prevent erosion and
reduce damage from cyclones.
Stating that the AP State Biodiversity
Board will prepare the total database of biodiversity in as many as 132
major villages located on the coastline, he said flora, fauna and other
details of the coastal area will be documented and will be published.
“Out of the 132 villages, 20 to 25 of
them will be identified as model villages, where solid waste management
works will be taken up by the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development
department.
Similarly, sewage management in Kakinada
and other towns located on the coastline in East Godavari district will
be taken up by the Municipal Administration department. In the entire
coastline, the AP Pollution Control Board will monitor the air and water
quality,’’ the Special Chief Secretary explained.
While the department of fisheries was
assigned the task of improving the livelihood opportunities of
fishermen, the tourism department was entrusted with the responsibility
of establishing eco-friendly infrastructure on beaches.
The ICZMP is being implemented in
Gujarat, West Bengal and Odisha in the first phase and AP and other
coastal States were selected for the project in the second phase.