Odisha’s Ridley Forest Project Wins Accolades At IOC Session In Mumbai

Mumbai: The Odisha government’s Ridley Forest project has won accolades at the International Olympic Committee’s 141st session in Mumbai.

Speaking at the meet on Sunday, Marie Sallois, director of Corporate Development and Sustainability of the IOC, highlighted the ecological restoration initiative which is conceptualised and executed in partnership with IOC’s Olympic Forest Network Initiative.

“The Odisha Ridley Forest Project seeks to go beyond conventional ecological restoration. Its objective is to align with Odisha’s broader vision of utilising sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment and harnessing the energy of the youth to create a sustainable future. This visionary initiative encompasses a comprehensive approach that involves reforestation, community-based forest management, and the preservation of local plant and animal species,” she said.

The Forest department has been executing the project which aims to plant one million trees in 1,500 hectare. The initiative has already achieved planting half a million trees till date.

The Olympic Forest Network is a part of contribution to a broader initiative, “Sport for Nature” framework, which compliments the sport for climate framework. Through the Odisha Ridley Forest project, India has joined Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain in launching the Olympic Forest Network initiative.

The project is being executed in partnership with the IOC, IOA, Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust and The Habitats Trust.