Bhubaneswar: A marine scientist and Professor at Delhi University, Dinabandhu Sahoo has developed unique methods to combat climate change and other environmental challenges including Increasing temperature, frequent cyclonic storms in coastal areas, acidification of the ocean, loss of biodiversity etc.
Prof Sahoo has devised unique methods and implemented at the grassroots level in remote coastal villages of Odisha. Sahoo along with his collaborator Dr Sanjukta Sahoo, a Civil Engineering Faculty at KIIT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha designed several types of Artificial Reefs in the laboratory.
After several months of experiments the duo finally deployed a number of Artificial reefs in the coastal waters of Odisha which is the First of its kind in the state. Artificial Reefs will not only increase the fisheries productivity but also help in the restoration of degraded marine ecosystems and will increase biodiversity, said Sahoo, who served as the Vice Chancellor of FM University.
Artificial Reefs construction and deployment is a multi-billion-dollar industry and countries like USA, France, Japan, China, Korea, Australia have deployed millions of such reefs in their sea coasts to boost their economy and enjoy rich returns. Around the world, approximately 500,000 Reef Balls have been deployed in 3,400 artificial reef and beach restoration projects in more than 70 countries.
Odisha has about 480km coastline and stands as a potential site to explore the viability. Artificial Reefs with specific designs and materials will not only provide habitat to several marine species, it will also reduce the wave action protecting the coast against cyclonic storms. In addition, it is a good substrate for seaweeds and some specific types of aquatic plants that can sequester carbon dioxide from water in a faster way, said Dr. Sanjukta Sahoo.
It will create more jobs for the coastal communities through enhanced fisheries production and future plan of marine ecotourism for better livelihood creation. Prof Sahoo, simultaneously has been creating under water forest in coastal waters of Bay of Bengal through seaweed farming as seaweeds can sequester 4-5 times more carbon dioxide than land plants.
An “Indian Seaweeds Wheel” of 24 feet diameter with 24 spokes which resembles Ashok Chakra has been designed and submerged in the coastal water to absorb Carbon dioxide to fight Climate Change. Both Artificial Reefs and seaweeds farming are going to be the game changer soon. They are now planning to design more colourful artificial corals which can imitate natural coral reefs to boost marine eco-tourism.
Sahoos’ efforts are very much synchronizing with Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMSY) which aims to transform India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. The 2024 interim budget gives a lot of Push to fisheries and aquaculture sector that aims to generate 50 lakhs jobs and contribute to Blue Economy.
Sahoo hoped that their efforts would contribute a lot towards the Blue Economy of the country. Several people from government, academics, industries, and also local people and fishermen have participated.
