The Wildlife Affairs 2016 was held here on Friday with Rural Development Minister Badri Narayan Patra as the chief guest.
Special Secretary Forest Shrawan Kumar Sinha was the guest of honour. Two books on wildlife conservation, the one by the Wild Orissa authored by Avijeet Bhujabal and Monalisa Bhujabal, and the other by the legendary ornithologist of Odisha Dr Uday Narayan Dev were released.
Monalisa, Avijeet and Dr Dev were felicitated for pioneering works in wildlife and bird study with the Bihanga Malini-Odisha Gaurava citation and plaque.
Volunteers from various walks of life who participated during Asian Water Birds Census in various parts of Odisha during 2016 winter were presented certificates on behalf of Odisha Chapter of Asian Wetlands Census (Wetlands International).
Minister Patra appreciated the conservation work by Wild Orissa during 20 years. Shrawan Sinha told that Odisha is rich in biodiversity and there is a pressing need to conserve. Many bird lovers and bird enthusiasts were present. Kulamani Deo presided.
The annual conservation awareness programme the ‘Wildlife Affairs’ this year focuses on three distinct ecosystems, such as rivers, plateaus, coasts.
It was launched on October 20 on the banks of Mahanadi river in Cuttack in 2 villages in presence of local community, school students, teachers and civil society groups, etc.
The part of the programme was titled ‘We Cherish Our Rivers.’ People on the bank of rivers like Mahanadi, Kathajodi, Kuakhai and Daya, in the districts of Khurda, Cuttack and Puri were sensitised. The riverine ecosystems were targeted through the medium of schools, youths and village elders.
The biodiversity of these rivers was discussed, including the mammalian fauna, avi-fauna, reptilian fauna, flora, etc. Focus was given on fast depleting wildlife corridors, threatened status of red-listed animals and birds, loss of natural habitats, etc.
The second part of Wildlife Affairs 2016 entitled ‘We Have A Tryst With Our Seas And Oceans’ was organised in Bhadrak district on November 9 at Basudevpur. The programme focussed on the coastal eco-system of Odisha. Students from thirteen schools took part in inter-school competitions in debate, painting, etc. The students were given lectures on wildlife conservation and conservation of bird habitats. Discussions on endangered and threatened bird species in the State were held.
The third part of Wildlife Affairs 2016 entitled ‘We Are Proud Of Our Hills and Plateaus’ is underway in the Banpur-Ranpur Mal forests of Eastern Ghats.