The Orissa Environmental Society (OES) celebrated its 39th foundation day and award function through videoconferencing under chairmanship of its president Dr Sundara Narayana Patro on October 25. Former Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik, former ADG (Tiger Project) and NTCA Member Secretary Dr Anup Kumar Nayak graced the occasion as guests. Appreciating initiatives of the OES in the environment front, Patnaik emphasised on resolving conflict between environment and development, and preserving quality of our environment. He stressed on enhanced political commitment that holds key to generating public awareness on environmental protection. Dr Nayak delivered 9th Prasanna Kumar Dash memorial lecture on ‘Tiger conservation scenario in India’. “Tiger as a flagship species plays a significant role in maintaining equilibrium of forest ecosystems. India with 70% of world’s tiger population needs to fortify its 32 major tiger corridors to enhance habitat connectivity. Odisha also holds a lot of promise with Similipal, Sunabeda, Satkosia, Debrigarh and other areas as potential tiger territories,” he said.On occasion, former Additional PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden Saroj Kumar Patnaik was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award, former KIIT School of Electrical Engineering Director Er Mayadhar Swain was bestowed with Dr BC Panda Award for Environment and Science Communication and nature and environment conservation activist Prasanna Kumar Behera was conferred with Parvati Mishra Memorial ‘Environmentalist of Year Award 2020.