PLANNING FOR INTEGRATED COASTAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN KENDRAPARA DISTRICT, ODISHA

Abstract

Coastal areas arc located at the margin of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. This unique geomorphological juxtaposition forms a perfect ecotone which is so productive that is supports almost 60 percent of the earth's population along with numerous other species, that too in just 19 percent of the earth's land surface area. Yet the people in the coastal areas are most vulnerable, with most of the coastal communities living below poverty line and exposed to frequent natural calamities. Our ecosystems provide us with numerous tangible and intangible benefits or services. These ecosystem services are broadly categorized as Provisioning services, Regulating Services, F-labitat or supporting services, Cultural Services. The cultural services provided by our ecosystem are the non-material benefits the people obtain through interaction with ecosystems; it includes aesthetic, spiritual and psychological benefits. Scientific studies have shown that natural environment can have remarkable benefits for human health. The coastal stretch of Kendrapara is characterized by a coastal ecosystem with a wide range of biodiversity. The highly productive mangrove wetland ecosystem is a designated Ramsar site and is home to world's largest sea turtle nesting beach. The floral diversity of the coastal ecosystem of Kendrapara is second largest in the world. The coastal stretch has two wild life sanctuaries - one terrestrial and one marine, The Bhitarkanika is also a declared national park. The ecosystem of the Kendrapara coast shows many unique ecosystem services which can be utilized as resources for the development of the locals. Yet around 60 percent of the population in the coastal blocks are under the poverty line. The dissertation aims to utilize this potential for development by utilizing the ecosystem services provided by the coastal ecosystem, of Kendrapara. The main area of focus in this dissertation is on the cultural services provided by the ecosystem in terms of enormous tourism potential.