National Institute Of Oceanography( NIO ) - NIO signs MoU with Chilka Development Authority (CDA), Bhubaneswar

NIO signs MoU with Chilka Development Authority (CDA), Bhubaneswar

The National Institute of Oceanography has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chilika Development Authority (CDA), Bhubaneswar, for the sustainable management of Chilika lagoon through regular environmental monitoring programmes. The MoU was signed on 28th August 2009 by Dr. S. R. Shetye, Director, NIO and Dr. A.K. Pattnaik, Chief Executive, CDA, at NIO headquarters in Goa. The five year collaboration on Chilika lagoon envisages monitoring of the water and sediment quality; coastal processes; biological characteristics; and an advisory on remedial measures. It will compare the output of present monitoring with the output of previous study done by NIO in 2000-01. The MoU undertakes to conduct this environmental monitoring through the study of physico-chemical, eco-biological and water quality parameters; coastal processes; fish and fishery resources; and the extent of sea grass growth for three seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon). The CDA personnel will be trained in all these aspects of environmental monitoring programme An Advisory Committee with Dr. S.G.Prabhu Matondkar (Scientist, NIO) as Chairperson and Dr. A. K. Pattnaik, (Chief Executive, CDA) as Co-Chairperson has been put in place to guide and help in implementation of this scientific and environment friendly pact between NIO and CDA. Shri R. A. Sreepada, (Scientist, NIO), the coordinator of this programme, has been nominated as co-Convenor with Shri R.N.Samal of CDA as Convenor. The Chilika lagoon ecosystem was in a severe degraded condition. It was placed in the Motreux Record (threatened list) by Ramsar Convention. The restoration of the lagoon was carried out by CDA, a government of Orissa undertaking, in consultation with NIO and other premier institutions of the country. The lagoon ecosystem has improved significantly after the hydrological restoration by CDA and it was removed from the Montreux Record. The restoration intervention is acclaimed globally. The Chilika lake is among the largest brackish water ecosystems of the world.

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