UGC sanctions fund for marine research in Berhampur University

Berhampur University, India

BERHAMPUR: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned Rs 74.80 lakh to Berhampur University's marine science department to undertake research on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The five-year project was sanctioned under the UGC's special assistance programme (SAP), said Bhanja Vihar vice chancellor JK Mohapatra. The history and Odia departments have also received Rs 39 lakh and Rs 85 lakh respectively under the UGC's scheme to conduct research on people's history and folk and tribal studies in southern Odisha. "The sanction of the research project on the ICZM by the UGC assumes importance in the backdrop of a long coastline of about 482-km in the state. Several lakhs of people in the state depend on the sea for their livelihood," the vice chancellor added.

Management and conservation of coastal marine ecosystems in recent years was made mandatory for all maritime states worldwide after the Earth Summit at Rio de Janerio a decade ago, he said. "We will carry out the research on the coastal biodiversity, conservation and management, coastal pollution and water quality management and the erosion under the project", said head of the marine science department Kali Charan Sahu. While equipments worth around Rs 32 lakh would be purchased for the project, Rs 4 lakh would be spent on collecting satellite data from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad, Sahu said. The students of the oceanography and marine biology would be entrusted to their filed studies in the project, while two full time research assistances, which were sanctioned by the UGC, would be appointed, Sahu said.

Meanwhile, the university has submitted a proposal to the UGC for establishment of a "centre for extension services on coastal zone management" in the university under its 12th five year plan. The university has sought Rs 15.50-crore for the centre, which would create awareness among sea users, conservationists and different self help groups in the coastal area on protection and conservation of different biodiversity hotspots, minimization of pollution and to develop the eco-tourism projects.

Source: Times of India