With an objective to declare Chilika lake as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and bringing Managalajodi, the bird watchers’ paradise, to a state of global recognition for its conservation measures for eco system, the ONGC has taken up an ambitious project.
A preliminary survey was done by the joint-team of ONGC and UNESCO comprising of Shigeru Aoyagi, Director, UNESCO and DD Misra, Director (HR), ONGC, accompanied by Panchami Manoo Ukil, founder, Bhubaneshwar Bird Walks, who visited Mangalajodi wet lands and surrounding villages on June 20 to have first hand understanding of the conservation issues of the area.
Officials and representatives from the local administration such as the Block Development Officer and the Sarpanch also accompanied the visiting team.
As a result of interaction with various stakeholders in the village and local officials, certain focal areas were identified to begin with so that the efforts may finally lead to declaration of Chilika lake as UNESCO’s world heritage site. To begin with, various CSR activities are proposed to be taken by the ONGC in Mangalajodi village.
Subsequently, the team called on Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and apprised him of the visit. Pradhan appreciated the efforts made by the ONGC and the UNESCO for comprehensive development of the eco-system of Chilika, in particular, the wetlands of Mangalajodi, which is intrinsically intertwined with the conservation of migratory and endemic birds.
Shigeru Aoyagi appreciated the interest shown by the Minister in conservation efforts and assured that he will also put in his best efforts to enable declaration of Chilika as UNESCO’s World Heritage site for which a comprehensive dossier having detailed development plan of the ecosystem including that of the inhabitants by involving various Central Government Ministries like Rural Development, Finance, Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandries and Environment and Forestry and including the State Government, shall be prepared.
Aoyagi also called upon Environment and Forest Minister Bijayshree Routray who assured all possible support from the Government of Odisha for the project.