Relevance: GS III (Environment & Blue Economy) & GS I (Geography) | Source: Environment Editorials

1. The Context: The Indo-Norway Partnership

Odisha has signed an agreement with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) to launch a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP).

• The Milestone: Odisha becomes the first Indian state to implement the MSP under Phase II of the Indo-Norway ocean partnership. (Phase I previously covered the UTs of Puducherry and Lakshadweep).

2. What is Marine Spatial Planning?

Just like city administrations use “land-use zoning” (dividing land into residential, commercial, or industrial areas), MSP strictly zones the ocean.

• It scientifically allocates marine areas for specific human activities like renewable energy, deep-sea ports, commercial fishing, and ecological conservation.
• The Goal: To expand the “Blue Economy” (ocean-based economic growth) without degrading marine health.

3. Why Odisha? (Protecting Critical Flora & Fauna)

Odisha has a 550 km coastline vulnerable to rapid industrialization. The MSP will map the ocean floor to protect Odisha’s exceptionally rich, globally recognized ecological assets:

• Chilika Lake: Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and India’s first Ramsar site.
  • Fauna: It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway (Greater Flamingos, Pelicans).
  • It’s the only known natural habitat of the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins in India.
  • Flora: Rich in extensive Seagrass meadows, which act as critical carbon sinks and fish nurseries.
• Bhitarkanika National Park: India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem (after the Sundarbans).
  • Flora: Dominated by the Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes).
  • Fauna: It is the prime breeding habitat for the giant apex predator, the Saltwater Crocodile, alongside King Cobras and Water Monitor Lizards.
• Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary: Located near Bhitarkanika, it is globally renowned as the world’s largest Arribada (mass nesting) beach for the vulnerable Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

UPSC Value Box

Key Concept	Simple Meaning
NCCR	National Centre for Coastal Research (Chennai). Functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to provide scientific and technical support for coastal zone management.
Arribada	A Spanish term used in ecology to describe the unique, synchronized mass-nesting phenomenon of certain sea turtles, primarily the Olive Ridleys.
Blue Economy	An economic framework aiming to harness ocean resources for jobs and growth, while strictly preserving marine ecosystem health.

With reference to the coastal ecology of Odisha and marine administration in India, consider the following statements:

1. The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) is an attached office under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
2. Chilika Lake is a major brackish water lagoon known for hosting the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
3. Bhitarkanika National Park is predominantly a mangrove ecosystem famous for being a prime habitat of the Saltwater Crocodile.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)