The 5th annual Odisha Environment Congress (OEC)-2014 would meet here for three days from December 22. A preparatory meeting for the purpose was held here on Monday.
The OEC, a scientific event, is organised jointly by the Human Development Foundation-Centre for Development Action and Research (HDF-cDAR), Bhubaneswar, Centre for Environment and Development (CED), Thiruvananthapuram and Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH) Bhubaneswar.
This creates a platform for academicians, researchers, scientists, planners, policy makers, students and practitioners to discuss and deliberate upon issues concerning environment. The OEC also provides scope for publication and presentation on Odisha-specific research based articles in the chosen theme, informed functionaries.
The theme for this year is “Climate Change and Environment: Issues and Challenges for Odisha.”
Organising committee’s Dhirendra K Roy said the Congress would include a keynote and invited presentations by experts.
“Since one of the key objectives of the Congress is to promote young researchers below 35 years of age, there will be an award for for the best paper. There will be an open forum with participation of general public, policy makers, researchers, farmers, NGOs and activists to discuss the perspectives and strategies for climate change implications, adaptation and mitigation in Odisha's context,” he informed.
Some grassroots-level persons/CSOs, who have done exemplary work in the field of climate change, would be awarded on this occasion, he said.
Former Chief Secretary SB Mishra, former Board of Revenue Member, Dr Aurobindo Behera, UNDP State Head Dr Ambika Nanda, Dr lN Mishra, Dr Padmaja Mishra, Dr Bhagirathi Behera, Dr Babu Ambat from CED, Dr Premanada Panda, Prof SN Patro, Suresh Bisoi, PK Nayak, Y Giri Rao and Premanada Parida were present at the preparatory meeting.
HDF-cDAR Dr Manmath K Mohanty gave vote of thanks.