Odisha to become first coastal state to roll out marine spatial planning framework

Odisha is poised to become the first among India’s nine coastal states to implement a Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework, marking a major step toward advancing its blue economy. The initiative builds on the successful rollout of MSP in the Union Territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep in 2023.

According to Chithra Arumugam, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, the Odisha government will soon sign an MoU with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to integrate MSP into the state’s development agenda. The collaboration will form part of the second phase of the Indo-Norway Ocean Initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable ocean governance.

A high-level review meeting chaired by State Development Commissioner Anu Garg on September 19 brought together NCCR officials and representatives from key state departments to discuss the framework’s rollout. The meeting resolved to form a steering committee, led by the Development Commissioner, to coordinate MSP implementation and monitor progress. Each participating department will designate a nodal officer to share data and inputs with NCCR.

Experts believe MSP will unlock Odisha’s largely untapped 575-km coastline, currently dominated by maritime trade, tourism, and fisheries. Abhishekh Agrawal, a marine economist, noted that the initiative could attract new investments, generate employment, and enhance long-term sustainability.