Three-layer protection for Pentha coast

BHUBANESWAR: The World Bank (WB)-funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) which adopts a soft engineering technique at Kendrapara’s erosion-prone Pentha for coastal protection has chalked out a three-pronged approach.Under the project, geo-synthetic tubes will be deployed at a depth of 4 to 5 metre on the seabed to dampen the wave force and to protect the coast. The geo-tubes will reduce the wave energy and lead to settlement of sand along the coast. As part of the soft engineering technique, geo-synthetic tubes will be laid on the seabed over a stretch of 700 m and this would act as a first layer defence to the coast against strong wave action which is responsible for erosion. Similarly, coastal afforestation will be taken up as the subsequent layer of protection. Under this, afforestation activity will be started from the present beach towards the land. The third layer of protection will include construction of embankment at a level of 7.4 metre above the mean sea level with a top width of 5 m. This will guard surge of sea water into the agriculture fields. The ICZM has estimated the budget for this component at ` 18.91 crore. Project Director of ICZM, Orissa, Ajit Pattnaik said, “This method has been implemented successfully in a number of locations across the globe. Under the project, additional preventive measures like vegetative cover as a bio-shield is also proposed to stabilise the coast.”   The ICZMP roped in IIT, Chennai to provide technical inputs, design, estimation and construction as well as supervision of geo-tube embankment. A comprehensive scientific modelling study and field investigation has been undertaken by the institute along the erosion-hit coast of Pentha. A team of oceanographic experts from the IIT also made a preliminary assessment on the geological feature and different riverine systems at the site. The next step will be preparation of exact site specific design and layout of geo-tube embankment followed by quality control. Scientific studies on various parameters related to quality of geo-tube such as retention capacity and resistance to pressure and endurance under UV radiation. The pilot application will be replicated in other erosion-prone stretches of Orissa coast after it is implemented successfully.