Odisha becomes first state to implement Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for integrated coastal management

Key facts

• Odisha is the first state in India to implement the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in the second phase.
• The Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences to launch the MSP.
• The MSP is part of the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative under an MoU signed between India and Norway in 2019.
• The first phase of the MSP was implemented in the Union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
• The MSP aims to boost the blue economy and strengthen climate resilience through sustainable and integrated ocean management.
• The NCCR will conduct benthic mapping (mapping vegetation below water) and study water salinity and temperature to identify areas suitable for fisheries, tourism, seagrass, and seaweeds.
• Odisha has a coastline of more than 550km featuring lagoons, mangroves, and estuaries.
• In August 2025, the Odisha government launched the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC) to promote biotechnology for marine environmental protection and economic development.