Odisha Environment Congress Ends With Bhubaneswar Declaration

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Environment Congress (OEC) on Environment and Mining ended on Sunday with a “Bhubaneswar Declaration” incorporating seven charters related to these subjects.

The resolution are outcome of three days deliberations, which started on December 20 on the subject by eminent academician, scientist, researchers, activists, political leaders and policy makers, was placed by  Organising Secretary of the event Sudarsan Das.

The Resolution:

1, Environment should be treated as a component of fundamental right of the people and hence any mining activity that jeopardizes or adversely affects environment should be prevented at any cost.

2. The development of the state should not be led by mining rather it should be treated as a subset of development.

3. Lack of proper implementation of environmental laws and regulations pertaining to mining, is a great concern which the Government should give serious thought and must come up with proper monitoring mechanizing for their effective implementation.

4. The funds lying with DMF, CAMPA and OMBARDC are not properly utilized for the purpose for which these were created. District Mineral Development Authority should be constituted in each mineral bearing district to be led by experts to oversee the fund utilization so available with the above agencies.

5. The resolution also demanded a proper socio-economic cost benefits study of the mining in Odisha to let the people know its present status visa-vis development of the people.

6. Public hearing in relation to auction of new mining  or renewal of old mining should be done under the supervision of judiciary, not by the administrative authorities.

7. Independent Peoples Tribunals should be constituted to access to damages created a by mining and to suggest remedial majors for addressing the adverse affect.

8. The resolution also proclaims that no mining industries to be allowed to transport minerals by using water of the river.

9. The resolution also said ‘no’ to new mining before assessment of the environmental hazards and its adverse affect on life, livelihood and bio diversity  of the area.

The concluding session was chaired by Chairman of the OEC D. K Roy and was attended by noted environmentalist Prof. Radha Mohan,  Former Ambassador, Abasara Beuria and Former Adviser Election Commission of Indi Dr. Bagaban Prakash.

Prof. Sudhir Rout was awarded with Green Ambassador of the year while OMC got the S. B. Mishra Green Cooperate Award. Dr. Harapriya Mishra was conferred with the Young Scientist Award.

The theme for the Odisha Environment Congress 2020 will be Environment & Bio Diversity.