Berhampur: Green Nobel laureate Prafulla Samantara on Thursday appreciated the efforts of ‘Aryabhatta’, a local broad-based organisation and ‘Forum for Ganjam’ (FFG), for spearheading the movement on awareness about tree plantation.
Samantara, the winner of Goldman Environmental Prize, popularly known as the Green Nobel, in 2017, congratulated the two organisations for the 24-km ‘padyatra’ from Berhampur to Chatrapur on environmental issues on Monday last, said Sudhir Rout, founder of ‘Aryabhatta’ and convener ‘Forum for Ganjam’.
“We discussed thoroughly on climate change mitigation and the role of environmental activists, the transformation of ponds especially in Berhmapur to carbon sinks as well as climate resilience agents and other activities with Berhampur-based Samantara,” said Rout.
Samantara assured his support for the endeavour at the meeting attended by Shyam Sundar Khadanga, Sanjukta Panda, Swetalina, Sukant Gouda, Susant Mohanty and others.
Meanwhile, in a significant development, sub-collector, Berhampur has ordered to immediately stop felling of 1700 roadside trees between Ratnapur and Mundamarai on National Highway-59 for widening the NH from existing 7 to 12 meters.
Though Forest and Environment department had given green signal for chopping the trees, ‘Aryabhatta’ opposed the move and suggested for relocation of the trees as undertaken in other parts of the country to maintain the eco-system. The organisation had submitted a memorandum to the sub-collector in this regard earlier.
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