Bhubaneswar: In a move to encourage greenery in urban areas, the Odisha government on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at raising awareness about rooftop and home gardening in cities.
As part of the drive, a special campaign vehicle was flagged off by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo at Krushi Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.
Officials said the campaign is being implemented under the State Plan Scheme – Innovative Projects for Promotion of Urban Horticulture, funded by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and executed by the Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy CM said growing urbanisation across Odisha is leading to decline in green spaces due to increasing concrete structures. “Through this novel effort, the government is encouraging greenery by promoting rooftop and home gardening in residential and institutional buildings,” said Singh Deo, who also holds Agriculture portfolio.
The initiative will cover the five major cities of the state —Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur, and Jeypore.
The project is aligned with the government’s broader vision to enhance urban sustainability, reduce the urban heat island effect, and create a healthier living environment. To achieve this, innovative technological interventions in rooftop gardening, peri-urban, and urban horticulture are being promoted for their nutritional, aesthetic, and environmental benefits, Singh Deo said.
The campaign vehicle will travel through various urban zones of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack during a month-long awareness drive. It will engage with residents, educational institutions, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and local organizations. Equipped with audio-visual materials in Odia and English, the vehicle will also display technical exhibits and distribute informative pamphlets. Interactive sessions will be organized to offer expert guidance to interested citizens.
Following its operations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the campaign will extend to other cities including Sambalpur, Berhampur, and Jeypore. The broader goal is to build community participation, encourage rooftop gardening practices, and eventually introduce competitions to recognize model rooftop gardens.
Director of Agriculture & Food Production Subham Saxena, Additional Secretary Shubhranshu Mishra, and other senior officials attended the launch ceremony and encouraged people to contribute to the collective goal of greener and healthier urban spaces.
