The State’s former Director of Environment, Dr Bhagirathi Behera, has been internationally honoured for his outstanding contribution in the field of environment.
He has been bestowed with a Degree for Doctor of Philosophy by The International University of Contemporary Studies, Washington, USA for his thesis entitled “Design and Development of Simulation-Based Decision Support Methodologies for Environmental Systems Management by Using Soft Computing Technique”.
A couple of years back when the authorities of the sunken Mangolian ship Black Rose were taken to task for polluting the Paradip coast with thousands MT of oil, Behera came into limelight.
All the oil was pumped onto the land with the help of the State Pollution Control Board.
With Dr Behera’s active coordination and endeavour, the Odisha Government submitted the first draft of climate change action plan in the country and now the plan is under implementation.
He made a lot of contributions for CRZ, SEIAA and the State’s 480-km seashore mapping, management, pollution control, carrying capacity for checking industrial pollution.
Dr Behera’s efforts for development of the Chilika and Ansupa lakes along with management of other wetlands in the State are noteworthy.
He for the first time registered cases against defaulting miners on environmental issues.
He took steps for massive-scale plantations and digging water bodies out of environment management funds.
He was a pioneer in bringing environment awareness by aiding thousands of Eco Clubs and augmenting the NEAC programmes in the State.