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Bhubaneswar, June 21: Chilika and Mangalajodi may get UNESCO world heritage site tag soon. A team comprising key officers from UNESCO and ONGC conducted a preliminary survey of the tourist spots recently. The joint-team had UNESCO director for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka, Shigeru Aoyagi, and director (HR) of ONGC D D Misra. They were accompanied by Panchami Manoo Ukil, founder, of Bhubaneswar Bird Walks—a voluntary organisation. The team inspected the wetlands of Mangalajodi and the surrounding villages, Tuesday. The team was also accompanied by representatives from the local administrative bodies—BDO and the Sarpanch. “I have visited Chilika and Mangalajodi to have a first-hand understanding of the conserva
tion issues of the area. After visiting the site, I found that both the places have potential to become heritage sites. The ecosystem is very good and varieties of birds at these sites make the places a living museum. People would love to visit such a beautiful place and explore the gift of nature,” UNESCO director Shigeru Aoyagi told reporters at Orissa Press Club, Wednesday. “We have interacted with various stakeholders in the village and local officials. We have identified certain key areas to begin with the conservation process, so that the efforts may finally lead to declaration of Chilika Lake as UNESCO’s world heritage site,” he added. When asked about their plans, Aoyagi said, “We will work for the comprehensive development of the eco-system of Chilika Lake— especially for the wetlands of Mangalajodi. These wetlands are
intrinsically intertwined with the conservation of migratory and endemic birds. The work will be carried out phase-wise.” According to the officials, a comprehensive dossier featuring the development plan for the ecosystem will be prepared by involving various central government ministries like rural development, finance, agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandries and environment and forestry and the state government. Shigeru Aoyagi also called upon the state minister of environment and forest, Bijayshree Routray. The minister had assured him of all possible support from the state for this project. The meeting was also attended by Suresh Mohapatra, principal secretary to Department of Forest and Environment, and Samar Nanda, CEO of Chilika Development Authority in Bhubaneswar.
