Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Governance
Why in News?
Odisha has become the first state in India to implement a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in the second phase of India’s sustainable ocean planning initiative.
- Definition – It is a governance tool for sustainable and integrated ocean management.
- Aim – Boost the blue economy, strengthen climate resilience, and balance ecological, economic, and social objectives.
- Scope – Allocates marine areas for activities like fisheries, aquaculture, ports, ocean energy, tourism, and biodiversity protection.
- Nodal ministry – Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- Memorandum of Understanding signed between the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- It is a part of the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative.
The Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and jobs while preserving marine health.
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Institutional Roles
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- NCCR – Technical studies, benthic mapping, marine parameters.
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- Odisha Science & Technology Department – State implementation.
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- Norway – Technical support under Indo‑Norway Ocean Initiative.
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Context of Odisha
- Odisha is the first state and Second Phase of MSP.
- Coastline – 480–550 km, featuring lagoons, mangroves, estuaries.
- NCCR will map the vegetation below the water, which is called benthic mapping.
- The NCCR will study the kind of water, its salinity, temperature, and other aspects, and prepare parameters.
- Economic Linkages – Supports livelihoods, hydropower, ports, and pilgrimage routes.
- Other Initiative – Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC, 2025) to promote marine biotech startups and ecological protection.
- It will also strengthen the MSP initiative.
Supports India’s Vision 2047 and Odisha’s Vision 2036 for sustainable coastal development.
References
- Indian Express | MSP
- MSN | MSP
