Comprehensive water resource management in coastal ecosystem of Odisha: A critical review

Abstract

Most of the coastal ecosystems face double whammy problems in terms of excess water congestion during the monsoon period and non availability of freshwater during the post monsoon period. Ingression of saline water due to high tide is a challenge to humanity, in general, and agriculture, freshwater resource, fisheries and aquaculture in particular. Eastern part of India is highly populated with plenty of natural resources. But due to lack/poor irrigation infrastructure, maximum freshwater flows to the sea. Hence, this ecosystem requires adequate attention to develop and refine appropriate technological options to facilitate more freshwater availability throughout the year and check the saline water ingression in order to increase the overall land and water productivity of the area. Geographic, engineering, socioeconomic and environmental factors which are closely associated with the water management issues have been reviewed for proper water management options in the coastal ecosystem.