Odisha Celebrates World Environment Day with a Focus on Sustainable Practices

Odisha celebrated World Environment Day with a series of events aimed at promoting sustainability and reducing plastic pollution. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati urged citizens to transition to renewable energy, while Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida launched a tree-planting campaign. Various awards were presented to individuals making significant contributions to environmental conservation. The day also saw discussions on the importance of reducing plastic usage and the need for biodegradable alternatives. Utkal University joined the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of a plastic-free campus. Read on to learn more about the initiatives and the impact they aim to create.
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Odisha Celebrates World Environment Day with a Focus on Sustainable Practices

A Day Dedicated to Environmental Awareness


Bhubaneswar: On Thursday, Odisha celebrated World Environment Day with various events throughout the state, particularly in the capital, emphasizing the theme of ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’ and advocating for sustainable practices.


Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati highlighted the critical need to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, encouraging citizens to utilize available subsidies and incentives for adopting eco-friendly lifestyles.


Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative by planting an amla sapling at the State Institute of Women and Children (SIWC) in Bhubaneswar.


She urged over one crore women in Odisha to participate in the ‘Ek Shubhadra, Ek Ped’ campaign by planting a sapling.


Principal Secretary Shubha Sharma and Director Monisha Banerjee also contributed by planting peepal saplings.


The Orissa Environmental Society (OES), in partnership with Odisha University of Technology & Research (OUTR), hosted a formal celebration at the university's conference hall.


The chief guest, OUTR Vice Chancellor Bibhuti Bhusan Biswal, emphasized the importance of reducing plastic consumption to safeguard both the environment and public health.


Chief speaker Pradip Kumar Sahoo, principal director of the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), discussed the dangers of single-use plastics and the necessity for biodegradable alternatives.


OES working president Jayakrushna Panigrahi called for unified global efforts, while former CET principal B. Seetarama Patro stressed the significance of education in fostering eco-conscious behavior.


During the event, several awards were presented, including the Health Services Award to cardiologist Hrudananda Mishra for his lifetime contributions, the Environmentalist of the Year award to Dillip Srichandan of Prerana Green Army, the Waterman of Odisha Award to Sudarsan Das of Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, and the Green Crusader Award to Bijaya Kumar Kabi of Action for Protection of Wild Animals (APOWA).


Additionally, Utkal University marked the occasion in its PG Council Hall, co-hosted by its PG Council and R&D Cell.


Vice Chancellor Jagneshwar Dandapat called for a plastic-free campus and highlighted the need to address microplastics and threats to ecosystems.


Chief speaker Choudhury Surya Kanta Mishra discussed the global crisis of plastic production and advocated for eco-friendly alternatives.


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