Odisha Coast - CASE STUDY

Question 1

What is resilience?

Answer 1

The capacity to cope with something

Question 2

What is mitigation

Answer 2

The action of reducing the severity, seriousness or painfulness of something.

Question 3

What is adaptation?

Answer 3

Changing behaviour to cope with something

Question 4

Describe the location and environment of the Odisha Coast.

Answer 4

• South East Coast of India, bordering Bengal
• Relatively straight coastline (450km long)
• Most population live along the coast which is low-lying.

Question 5

Describe the coastal landforms of Odisha.

Answer 5

• 6 river deltas/hexadeltaic (sediment deposited by a river before it hits the sea)

Question 6

Describe the coastal landscape of Odisha.

Answer 6

• Wide range of coastal and marine flora and fauna
• 1435km squared of mangrove forest
• Chilika Lake - a salty lagoon which becomes less saline during monsoon season.

Question 7

What is the importance of mangrove forests?

Answer 7

1. They stabilise and build up sediment over time
2. Filter nutrients and toxins (90%) out of water which improves water quality
3. Helps reduce flooding and coastal erosion during tropical storms and surges (slows down energy and winds)
4. Carbon sink - climate change is mitigated (1450 pounds of carbon) - more carbon in than out.

Question 8

What are the opportunities along the Odisha coast?

Answer 8

1. Huge potential for offshore win, tidal and wave power
2. 35% coastal stretch is laden with sediment minerals and heavy metal deposits
3. Provision of alternative livelihood opportunities (e.g. dairy and poultry) - benefitted 70 villages by reducing rhe reliance of people upon the commercial fishing industry
4. Tourist sites at Chilika Lake have resulted in a 55% rise in income and employment in ecotourism areas