Jairam favors Odisha institute

Tathya.in, March 26, 2010
Bhubaneswar:26/March/2010


Jairam Ramesh has favored Odisha with a dedicated research centre for management of wetlands and coastal eco-system

The Union Minister for Forest & Environment has approved the first ever National Research Institute for Management of Wetlands and Coastal Ecosystems to be set up in the state.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last year requested for the same.

And obliging the eastern Indian state with the National Institute Minister Mr.Ramesh has favored an investment of Rs.30 crore for the project.

Upendra Nath Behera, Principal Secretary Forest & Environment was informed by V N Kaul, Director Environment in the Ministry of Forest & Environment (MOEF) about the decision of the Union Government here on 26 March.

Mr.Kaul said the Union Minister recently has green signaled not only for the project, but also funding for the same.

Rs.10 crore recurring grant will be available for the institute for research and development of eco-system of coastal zones and wet lands.

Mr.Patnaik citing the reason said that no dedicated research centre in this environmentally important subject was available.

He pointed out that the infrastructure created in the state and the expertise available with Chilika Development Authority (CDA) could be extremely useful in starting such a National Institute.

Located 100 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, Chilika is known to support the largest concentration of migratory waterfowl in India.

At least a million birds are seen at the lake every winter.

They belong to 165 species, of which 93 are migratory and 72 are residential.

The Institute will have one campus at Chilika and another at Capital City, said sources.

While Chilika Campus will look after wetland research, the Bhubaneswar Campus will be dedicated for Costal Eco-Managment researches, said an official..