Green Odisha: Silent Revolution Pumps Sustainable Economy
Sustainable development in Odisha (Image credit X.com)
Odisha’s Green Turn: Building a Sustainable Economy from the Ground Up
By PALLAVI DAS
BHUBANESWAR, MAY 16, 2025 – Odisha, a state rich in minerals yet vulnerable to climate change, is undergoing a profound transformation in its economic identity. Beyond the industrial districts and mining operations, a quieter revolution is unfolding: green power, forest enterprise, community tourism, and green skills are paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive growth trajectory.
This shift is not merely aspirational; it is policy-driven, evidence-based, and rooted in grassroots participation, positioning Odisha as a key player in India’s evolving development narrative.
For decades, thermal power, dominated by coal, has been the backbone of Odisha’s energy sector, accounting for over 80% of its power generation. However, the state is now pivoting towards renewable energy, with a clear focus on solar power and distributed energy systems.
According to the latest report from the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA), the state aims to install 1,500 megawatts of solar power by 2026. This ambitious target is already taking shape, with over 28,000 solar streetlights and 5,000 solar irrigation pumps deployed in districts such as Boudh, Kalahandi, and Balangir.
These initiatives are not only environmentally significant but also economically transformative. Solar pumps, for instance, help farmers reduce irrigation costs, ensure reliability during peak agricultural seasons, and decrease dependence on fossil fuels.
The private sector is also stepping up. In 2024, TP Central Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPCODL), a subsidiary of Tata Power, partnered with Tata Power Solar to boost rooftop solar adoption in urban areas, targeting a 100 MW capacity in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack by 2025. If successful, this could set a precedent for renewable energy integration in India’s Tier II cities, demonstrating the scalability of such models.
Parallel to the energy transition, Odisha is reimagining its forest economy. As a major contributor to India’s minor forest produce (MFP) sector, the state has long relied on forest dwellers, predominantly women, for the collection and sale of products like tamarind, sal seeds, honey, and mahua flowers. Until recently, this was largely an informal, low-income activity.
However, through initiatives like the centrally sponsored Van Dhan Yojana and the state’s Mission Shakti project, over 7,000 Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) have been integrated into the forest value chain.
These groups are no longer merely collectors; they are now involved in processing, branding, and marketing.
In Mayurbhanj, for example, SHGs generated over ₹10 crore in revenue from value-added forest produce in the previous fiscal year. Products branded under regional identities are gaining traction, even finding shelves in Bhubaneswar’s urban organic stores.
This evolution from subsistence to a decentralized industry is crucial, as forest-based income models inherently favour conservation over exploitation, linking economic stability with sustainable resource use.
Tourism, too, is emerging as a green frontier, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions. The Odisha government’s Eco Retreat project, launched in 2019, has expanded to seven locations, including Satkosia, Hirakud, Daringbadi, and Konark.
These eco-tourism camps embody low-impact hospitality, community engagement, and environmental education. In 2023-24, they attracted over 50,000 visitors, generating ₹22 crore in direct revenue.
More than 60% of the operational staff at these retreats are local community members trained in hospitality, guiding, and maintenance. Beyond economic benefits, these initiatives foster a deeper understanding of the value of preserving natural habitats.
The Forest and Environment Department aims to establish 100 community-managed eco-tourism destinations by 2026. If executed effectively, this could create sustainable rural employment while bolstering conservation efforts, especially given Odisha’s unique biodiversity corridors, such as the Eastern Ghats and the Similipal Biosphere Reserve.
A critical enabler of this green shift is the focus on skill development. The Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) has integrated green modules into its vocational training programs. In 2023, over 2,000 youth were trained under the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) in areas like solar installation, organic farming, and waste management.
In Kalahandi and Nuapada, these programs have led to the formation of youth-led agricultural cooperatives cultivating certified organic produce, which is now sold at local haats and through the government-funded ‘Organic Bazaar’ scheme in Bhubaneswar, ensuring market access and fair prices.
The Odisha Millet Mission stands out as one of India’s most innovative public nutrition programs. Rolled out across 84 blocks in 15 districts, it promotes the cultivation and consumption of indigenous millets like ragi and foxtail millet.
These crops are climate-resilient, nutrient-dense, and require significantly less water and chemical inputs compared to rice. By integrating millets into school meals and public distribution systems, the mission not only boosts farm incomes but also diversifies dietary options, aligning sustainability with public health and rural livelihoods.
Despite these promising developments, the transition to a green economy is not without challenges. Mining remains the cornerstone of Odisha’s economy, contributing over 40% of the state’s royalty and tax revenues.
Industrial hubs like Angul, Jharsuguda, and Talcher grapple with severe air and water pollution, with regulatory enforcement lagging. While solar installations are growing, their share in the energy mix remains modest.
Moreover, even well-intentioned green initiatives face implementation hurdles, including infrastructure deficits, limited access to finance for SHGs, and a lack of specialized expertise, which hinder the scaling of community-based models.
What distinguishes Odisha’s approach, however, is its long-term vision. Sustainability is not an afterthought but a core component of economic and development planning.
This is achieved not through grandiose declarations but through incremental, place-specific interventions that position people as stakeholders, not mere beneficiaries.
In a state where nearly 83% of the population is rural and economically and ecologically vulnerable, this people-centric paradigm holds immense potential.
Odisha’s lessons extend beyond its borders. As India grapples with climate change, job insecurity, and regional disparities, the state offers a compelling, actionable model of green development.
It recognizes the value of trees, sunlight, land, and human talent—not as abstract ideals but as tangible building blocks for economic resilience.
Whether this vision is replicated or sustained remains to be seen, but the seeds have been planted. With the right nurturing, Odisha could emerge as a blueprint for how to grow an economy not against nature, but in harmony with it.
(This is an opinion piece; views expressed solely belong to the author)
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