The Orissa Environmental Society (OES) and the KIIT University on Saturday observed the World Environment Day on the theme ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ in virtual mode and held a webinar.
While OES president Dr Sundara Narayana Patro chaired the programme, chief guest of the event was Principal CCF and Head of Forest Force, Odisha, Sisir Kumar Ratho.
Ratho viewed that celebration of the flagship event across the globe has the prime objective of generating awareness among the people leading to action programmes with regard to diverse environmental damages that threaten the very existence of humanity as well as the whole living world.
Citing the forest, riverine, marine and urban ecosystems, he suggested measures required for their apposite restoration. He also discussed his experience with the Namami Gange Project for restoring the ecological integrity of the Ganga river.
Dr Patro stressed upon restoring the biodiversity hotspots of the State, reinforcing community participation in protecting the ecosystems and reorienting the developmental processes to preserve nature.
OES secretary Dr Jaya Krushna Panigrahi explained how the flow of benefits continues from healthier ecosystems with richer biodiversity to human beings in terms of goods and services. All stakeholders, from Government to individuals, need to play their roles in the restoration process, he opined.
OES vice-president Dr Lala AK Singh discussed his experience with thecrocodile projects of Odisha and the associated habitat restoration works, more specifically the Gharial crocodiles in Satakosia gorge of Mahanadi.
On the occasion, the ‘Parbati Mishra Memorial Environmentalist Award 2021’ was presented to Achyut Das, Director of Agragamee, for hisnotable contribution to nature conservation and community welfare.
Sasmita Lenka and Anshu Pragyan Das, bothDeputy Conservators under the Forest Department, were also felicitated for their acclaimed roles in wildlife protection, specifically in preventing pangolin poaching and trafficking. Er Manoranjan Mishra read out the citations of awardees.
Vote of thanks was offered by OES joint secretary Dr Prakash Chandra Jena. Many environmentalists, academics and nature-lovers attended the programme.