Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (BNP): The Odisha government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) aimed at balancing coastal economic growth with marine ecosystem protection.

ମେରାଇନ୍ ସ୍ପାସିଆଲ୍ ପ୍ଲାନ୍ ବା MSP କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରୀ ହେବାଦ୍ବାରା ରାଜ୍ୟର ବ୍ଲୁ- ଇକୋନୋମିର ଉନ୍ନତି ହେବା ସହିତ ସାମୁଦ୍ରିକ ପରିବେଶର ସୁରକ୍ଷା ମଧ୍ୟ ହୋଇପାରିବ। ସ୍ଥାନୀୟ ଉପକୂଳ ଅର୍ଥନୀତିର ଉନ୍ନତି ସହିତ ସାମୁଦ୍ରିକ ଜୀବଜଗତ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ରହିବ। ସମନ୍ବିତ ଉପକୂଳ ଓ ସାମୁଦ୍ରିକ ଯୋଜନା କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରୀ କରିବାରେ ଏହି MSP ଏକ ନୂଆ ବେଞ୍ଚମାର୍କ… pic.twitter.com/0kCz4Zoz08

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) April 16, 2026

Pic Credit: https://x.com/CMO_Odisha 

The agreement was signed at Lok Seva Bhavan between the state’s Department of Science & Technology and the National Centre for Coastal Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was present during the signing.

The MoU was formalised by senior officials from both organisations to strengthen coordinated planning and scientific management of Odisha’s coastal and marine resources.

The MSP initiative is designed to support the blue economy while ensuring conservation of marine biodiversity. It will help streamline activities across sectors such as fisheries, tourism, ports, and ocean energy, while reducing environmental pressure on coastal ecosystems.

Officials said the plan will introduce a structured and science-based approach to marine resource management, helping balance development needs with ecological protection.

Odisha has been selected as part of the second phase of India’s Sustainable Ocean Planning programme, making it the first state in this phase to implement the initiative.

The government said the project aligns with long-term development goals for a sustainable and economically strong coastal region while safeguarding natural marine resources for future generations.