67th Wildlife Week 2021

State level 67th Wildlife Week celebration was observed at Nandankanan Zoological Park following all the COVID Guidelines. This celebration was observed in all the forest divisions of Odisha from Gandhi Jayanti day i.e. 2nd October, to 8th October 2021. In this state level Wildlife Week celebration function, Sri Bikram Keshari Arukha, Hon'ble Minister, Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of Odisha was the Chief Guest and Hon'ble MLA Jatni, Hon'ble MLA Bhubaneswar (North), Sri Lingaraj Otta, IFS, Special Secretary and Sri Sisir Kumar Ratho, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF, Odisha were the distinguished guests.

In the welcome address, Sri Shashi Paul, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha gave the objectives of the celebration and highlighted different initiative taken by the Govt. for the conservation and to increase the population of the wildlife. In addition to this, he informed that to reduce the man animal conflict, the control rooms are working 24 hours at the division, circle and state headquarters level.

Hon'ble Minister, Forest, Environment & Climate Change inaugurated the Toy Train and laid the foundation stone of Ropeway for the entertainment of visitors and declared the names of the winners of the online quiz and photography competition. In the recognition of the outstanding contribution to the wildlife protection and conservation, the state level award in the name of "BIJU PATNAIK AWARD 2021" was awarded on behalf of state Govt. by the Hon'ble Minister to Sri Nanda Kishore Bhujabal. Hon'ble Minister released the books published by State Wildlife headquarters "Wildlife Odisha-2021" and Hand Book on diseases of animals & birds".

Hon'ble Minister in his address highlighted the various schemes of the Govt. for habitat improvement of wildlife and initiatives taken for the successful implementation of various schemes in community participation. Hon'ble Minister described the benefits of "Nature Tourism" managed by the forest fringe schedule caste/ tribe people in their livelihood and the improvement of forest & wildlife in the area. Hon'ble Minister highlighted the benefits of ORSAC developed by "ANUKAMPA" portal for the payment of compassionate grant to the victims for the life and property damage due to wildlife in shortest time. The Hon'ble Minister informed that to prevent the entry of elephant in the crop field Govt. has approved the programme "Jana Suraksha Gaja Raksha" in which the solar fencing will be done on the boundaries of the field. In addition to this, in the high conflict villages, fixation of solar powered street light and engagement of "Gajabandhu" & "Gajasathi" selected by Van Suraksha Samittee will be implemented to prevent man animal conflict.

Hon'ble MLA Jatani and Bhubaneswar (North) in their addresses emphasized on the balance of forest & environment and importance of community participation.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF and Special Secretary to Govt. highlighted the implementation of various programme and the roles of EcoDevelopment Committee, Vana Sarankshana Samittee , Honorary Wildlife Warden and various NGOs for the conservation of wildlife.

At the last, Sri Satyanarayan Beura, IFS, Conservator of Forests thanked the Chief Guest, all the distinguish guests, dignitaries and invitees.