Foreword

The Central Pollution Control Board, with the Zoning Atlas programme has taken a lead role in the field of spatial environmental planning in India. The programme is aimed at achieving development targets, especially those of industries in an environmentally acceptable manner. The programme is a part of the World bank funded Environment Management Capacity Building Technical Assistance project. The program is receiving technical support from GTZ under indo-German bilateral programme.

In Orissa, the State Pollution Control Board, Orissa (OSPCB) is executing various activities under the Zoning Atlas programme. Facilities including GIS software, hardware  and  other equipment and qualified manpower have been

established at OSPCB. Under the Zoning Atlas programme in the first phase during 1995-97, the "Zoning Atlas for Siting of Industries - Sundergarh District" was taken up. Subsequently, undivided Cuttack and Sambalpur Districts were taken up in second phase during 1997-99. The reports have been prepared using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and the latest remote sensing data under the supervision of the Centre for Spatial Environmental Planning established at CPCB. The expertise being developed at OSPCB under the Zoning Atlas programme is hoped to make a modest beginning to the spatial environmental planning needs of Orissa.

We express our sincere thanks to the various agencies involved viz. National Remote Sensing agency , Hyderabad , Survey of India, District Administration and other State and Central Govt. Departments for extending their cooperation and providing the needed support in completion of the Atlas.

We hope, the Atlas will help proper siting of the industrial units and will provide useful information to all concerned.