Bhubaneswar: June 06: With the theme of “Fight Against Illegal Trade in Wildlife for Life”, the state on Sunday celebrated World Environment Day. Besides many other organisations and clubs, Department of Forest and environment organised a Mega Event at Rabindra Mandap here in Bhubaneswar to celebrate the day.
The Chief Guest of the occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik focussed on government’s intentions to check illegal trading of wildlife and said, his government has been taking all possible measures to protect and preserve the wild life through awareness as well as CID & Crime Branch. Patnaik in his speech requested the gathering to work for the preservation of nature. Minister for Forest and Environment Bikram Keshari Arukh highlighted the different steps taken by his department towards conservation of environment.
Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Secretary to department of Forest and Environment informed that government had created 10000 echo clubs in schools across the state to generate awareness about conservation of nature among the residents of the state. Also, he stated about the functioning of 12000 Forest Conservation Committees for the protection of Forests.
Encouraging the nature lovers of the state, government felicitated 217 environment lovers for their contribution to the protection of environment.
The Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT) and Orissa Environment Society (OES) organised a seminar titled ‘Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade’ on this occasion. Dignitaries at the event gave away prizes to winners of the earth day competition held on April 22. Students participated in essay writing; poster making and debate competition from various public school of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were also felicitated at the event.
