Centre Releases ₹23.5 Crore for Chilika Lake Conservation

Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has announced the release of funds for the Chilika Lake Integrated Management Plan (IMP) in Odisha. The second instalment, amounting to Rs 23.50 crore, has been sanctioned under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) in collaboration with the Odisha government.

This initiative, implemented with a cost-sharing ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and the state, aims to preserve and manage Chilika Lake. The release of the second instalment follows the submission of Utilisation Certificates, Physical Progress Reports, and photographs by the Chilika Development Authority, as per the Ministry’s conditions.

Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi expressed her satisfaction with the decision, having requested Union Minister Bhupender Yadav for the funds’ release. The positive impact will be felt by around 25,000 fishermen families living in the vicinity of Chilika Lake.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had previously informed about the Centre’s contribution of Rs 4.7 crore over two years for the conservation of both Chilika Lake and Anshupa Lake under the NPCA program. This financial support underscores the commitment to safeguarding these vital aquatic ecosystems.