Jagannath Sahu, fondly called Jogi Sir, who formed an organisation called Brukhsa O Jaibanara Bandhu Parijan for forest protection movement in State, passed away here on Tuesday. He was 75
The retired schoolteacher suffered a massive cardiac arrest and died at 11.30 am on Tuesday. After retiring as a teacher he became an innovative leader of the Community Forest Management movement and took it to new heights.
Along with Uday Nath Khatua, he was instrumental in transforming the denuded Malati hill at Kesharpur in the district of Nayagarh, locally named the “landa pahada” or the denuded hill. The hill is now full of greenery and is a sight to behold.
Sahu became recognised all over the State for his role in introducing the “Thengapali” system of community forest management in the forest range of Nayagarh district. This system started by him involves random identification of the volunteer who would supervise the forest by placing a stick in front to his house. This system of community forest management was studied by the Toronto University, USA and subsequently included in their curriculum.