Bhubaneswar: Noted Orchidologist Sarat Chandra Mishra was honoured with the Chief Minister’s Wildlife Conservation Award-2025 at an event held in Bhubaneswar.
He received the award at a function to mark the 71st State-Level Wildlife Week with a vibrant celebration at the Convention Centre of Lok Seva Bhavan on Thursday.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati presented a cheque of Rs four lakh to 85-year-old Mishra for his lifetime work on the orchids.
Mishra is known for his extensive documentation of rare and endemic orchids in Similipal. For the past 57 years, Mishra has trodden the jungles and hillsides, his eyes forever looking for the delicate silhouettes of orchids, considered one of most beautiful creations of nature.
Tagged as one of India’s celebrated orchidologist, he has been researching the flower and found hundreds of varieties – of different shapes, sizes and colours. Of the total, he has discovered at least 14 varieties
Winners of the state-level Online Quiz, Sit & Draw, and Photography competitions were also felicitated.
The event highlighted the state’s enduring commitment to biodiversity protection and sustainable coexistence with wildlife.
Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia also attended the ceremony alongside senior officials. The Odisha Forest Department showcased its ongoing efforts in eco-tourism, human–wildlife conflict mitigation, and tech-enabled conservation monitoring.
The department honoured retired officers whose foundational work continues to inspire today’s conservation strategies. Officials urged local communities to actively participate in wildlife protection and foster harmony between humans and nature.
The celebration served as a reminder of Odisha’s rich ecological heritage and the collective responsibility to preserve it for future generations.