Odisha Govt To Focus On Densification Of Mangroves, Massive Palm Tree Plantation To Tackle Disasters

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena on Wednesday emphasised the need for densification of mangroves which help build coastal resilience as effective natural safeguards against cyclones. He also highlighted the need for massive palm tree plantations to prevent rising lightning deaths.

Chairing the 3rd meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of Disaster Management, the Chief Secretary focused on the procurement of search and rescue equipment, accessories and vehicles for Odisha Fire and Emergency Services.

Jena advised the Forest department to take up more and more Palm tree plantations in all areas, basically districts prone to lightning.

An amount of Rs. 159, 02, 19,356 has already been released against the proposal of Rs. 240,33,51,108. The Home Department has been requested to go ahead with the procurement process, an official release said.

The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has placed a non-structural lightning mitigation proposal for the implementation of lightning alert, forecast system in collaboration with Earth Network and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune through SATARK App for three years.

Besides a proposal has been submitted by OSDMA for implementation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Ready (IOTR) Programmes in 24 identified tsunami-prone villages of 6 coastal districts for obtaining the tsunami-ready certification from IOC-UNESCO and including organizing an orientation programme on tsunami for key stakeholders of the tsunami-prone urban local bodies – Puri, Konark, Gopalpur and Paradip.

The funds position of SDRMF as on April 1 was Rs 3765.74 crore and total Corpus of SDRMF including Central and State shares was Rs 2358.00 Crore. Availability of funds in State Disaster Risk Management Fund for 2023-24 SDMF & SDRF total amounts to Rs 5158.14 crore.