Exposure visit to the project sites under India- ICZM Project in Gujarat

A team of officials from this state headed by Dr. Subrat Mukherjee, IFS, Project Director, ICZM Project – West Bengal had visited the project sites under India - ICZM Project located in the state of Gujarat from 23rd-26th January, 2015. The objective of the exposure visit to Gujarat was primarily to observe and learn the initiatives launched in Gujarat for coastal zone management by stabilizing environmental degradation, measures to protect coastal areas, strengthening of institutional capabilities for coastal zone planning and development along with the extent to which the complementary and supplementary roles the assets created so far may play for fostering the spirit of sustainable development. The visiting team apart from the Project Director includes Sri Asok Kumar Maity, Administrative Officer, SPMU- ICZMP, Sri S. Dutta, Superintendent Engineer (Rural Electrification), WESEDCL and Sri Rakesh Ranjan, Project Engineer – II, SIDCL.

The team had visited Poshitra Coral site and Narara Coral Reclamation site. Poshitra Coral site is near Okha while Narara, is about 60 Km from Jamnagar. The visiting team had the opportunity to glance over the exotic treasure-trove of marine and avian species that floats and unwinds in a carefree manner in both the sites. Both the sites are known for its stunning display of live coral, live shell, algae plants, live oyster, glamorous marine flowering plants, puffer fish, sea horse, huge green sea turtles, lobsters, crabs, dolphins, octopus, jelly fish, star fish and etc. 

The team had interactions with its counterpart from Gujarat SPMU in order to have a broader understanding of conservation of marine biodiversity vis-à-vis the issues of industrialization and tourism management. It is be noted that Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation - an autonomous organization with the Forests & Environment Department of Government of Gujarat is also acts as a PEA under ICZMP- Gujarat is in the process of developing the methodology of coral transplantation. Marine National Park & Sanctuary, another PEA under ICZMP- Gujarat will implement the physical implementation of Coral Transplantation based on the methodology developed by GEER Foundation in collaboration with technical inputs from Zoological Survey of India. The fulfillment of the said activity would accrue the following benefits:-

• Enrichment of biodiversity
• Containment of coastal erosion
• Acts as a natural shield against calamities like tsunami, storm surges and etc.
•  Augmentation of marine fishery production

The team also visited Jamnagar Sewage Treatment Plant Project sites. Jamnagar Municipal Corporation is the implementing agency under ICZMP. The entire work component of construction of sewage network along with the Sewage Treatment Plant is being implemented by the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation. The team had discussions on pollution management, user charges and sustainability models that may be implemented in the post project period.

Indeed the recently concluded exposure visit provides a platform to the policy makers to deliberate on developmental paradigms that may be implemented and sustained for a longer span of time with the aid and support of the coastal community at large.