Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik felicitated 161 institutions for their contribution towards environment as part of the World Environment Day celebrations at Rabindra Mandap here Tuesday. Patnaik said plastic has become the biggest threat to the survival of the mankind at this time. “From monuments to tourist spots every place is polluted by plastic products. Therefore, we must pledge to reduce use of plastic and the right way is to recycle it,” he said. He called upon the participants to make Odisha and the globe plastic-free.
Three reports – State Action Plan on Climate Change for 2018 23, Climate Change Budget Coding and Heat Report for Ib valley Jharsuguda area – prepared by Forest and Environment department were also unveiled by Patnaik during the event. Besides, ENVIS newsletter prepared by Centre of Environmental Studies and Eco-Club Guide Book were released. Hitanshu Mahal and Manoj Puten of Class IX from Kesinga Bidyapitha Nodal High school received Rs 10,000 as first prize for their eco-model.
The second prize of Rs 8000 was received by Lopamudra Majhi of Badasamantaraypur Nodal High School, Charbatia, Cuttack, Lipsa Rout and Subhalaxmi Swain from Jatadhari High School, Subala, Kendrapada, received Rs 5,000 as third prize. Director of Forest and Environment K Murugusan was also present on the occasion. Earlier in the day, Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray inaugurated an Eco-Model exhibition wherein schoolchildren from several parts of Odisha showcased 56 eco-models.
“Children know how to ban plastic and how to offer a solution to the growing problem caused by plastic. Soon the world will witness a major change in the field of plastic pollution,” Routray said. Earlier, a seminar was organised by Orissa Environmental Society at IRC Village, Nayapalli.
Chief Wildlife Warden Sandeep Tripathy addressed the seminar. He said it has become a great task to keep the environment clean and healthy. Therefore, the lifestyle of every human being should be changed to reduce use of plastic in our daily life. A book, Paribesha Panchamruta, and Journal ‘Climate Change and World Peace’ were released on the occasion. Nachiketa Das, visiting professor to Hiroshima Kokusai Gakuin University, stressed the need to ban plastic use so that clean drinking water can be available to all.
The 2018 Environmental Award was conferred on Sudarshan Das. Prakruti Mitra award was also conferred on Ganjam District Gunthabandha Anchalika Vikas Parishad. India Tourism in association with IHM, Bhubaneswar organised a tree plantation programme in the city. On this occasion Sharda Ghosh of IHM and P. Chakravorty, assistant director of India Tourism were present.
