Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has formulated a special plan for the development of three wetlands in the state.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the State Wetland Management Authority presided over by Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha at the State Secretariat on Saturday.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, the minister said apart from the developmental projects for Bhitarkanika, Rs 158 crore has been approved for Chilika Lake and Rs 21.23 crore for Anshupa Lake. The developmental plan will be implemented after the approval of the Centre, he added.
He said the development of Chilika will safeguard its biodiversity and benefit about two lakh fishermen families. Besides, it will also take care of the livelihood of about two lakh people of 410 villages living within the 672 sq km periphery of Bhitarkanika.
