Bhubaneswar: Warning that unsustainable development and declining sensitivity towards nature are aggravating the global environmental crisis, experts Sunday called for coordinated efforts by the government, institutions and the public to address the triple planetary crises of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
The call was made at the 45th Foundation Day and award ceremony of the Orissa Environmental Society (OES) in Bhubaneswar, where speakers stressed that protecting environmental quality is essential for the survival of humanity and the planet.
The annual event was presided over by OES president Sundara Narayana Patro, while Tathagata Satpathy, Editor of Dharitri and Orissa Post, attended as the chief guest.
Eminent writer Jitendra Narayan Dash, popularly known as Dash Benhur, delivered the keynote address.
Addressing the gathering, Satpathy underscored the need for greater public participation in environmental protection, particularly among the younger generation.
He stressed that responsibility for protecting nature cannot be left to the government alone. Highlighting the mounting pressure of population growth on the planet’s resources, Satpathy said, “Changing times and development patterns demand ed a corresponding change in public attitudes and civic responsibility.”
He stressed that people must take greater responsibility for cleanliness and waste management instead of depending entirely on the authorities.
He also cautioned that poorly planned urbanisation could aggravate water scarcity and pollution, problems already being witnessed in several parts of Odisha.
While acknowledging that industrialisation inevitably brings certain environmental challenges, he said its consequences often extend beyond the immediate areas of development and affect people who have little or no direct connection with the activities causing the damage.
On the occasion, Satpa thy presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Seba Mohapatra, former Director of Health Services, Odisha, in recognition of her outstanding contributions in various fields.
Hemant Kumar Patra, former professor emeritus of botany at Utkal University, received the Environment Excellence Award.
Ashutosh Debata, former director of the Centre for Environmental Studies, was honoured with the Environment and Science Popularisation Award, while nature conservationist Bijay Kumar Jena received the Nature Conservation Award. Ch Suryakant Mishra, former director of basic sciences at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), was conferred the title of OES Fellow.
Delivering the Prasanna Kumar Dash memorial lecture, instituted in memory of the founding president of OES, Dash Benhur expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the environment and stressed the urgency of addressing the crisis.
OES working president Jayakrushna Panigrahi delivered the welcome address and introduced the dignitaries, while secretary Manoranjan Mishra presented an account of the society’s activities and outlined its future plans.
Joint secretary Surabhi Jain proposed the vote of thanks.