BHUBANESWAR: From elephants to afforestation; conservation to awareness, the World Environment Day celebrations marked a wide range of activities on Sunday. The proceedings of the day started with plantation at Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary by Forest and Environment Minister Debi Prasad Mishra. The wildlife division has initiated avenue plantation on the Bharatpur side of the sanctuary. Consisting of two species - Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa - the plantation programme is not only aimed at increasing green cover but also providing more fodder to the elephants, absence of which drives them to invade crops and come in conflict with humans. Later, at the State-level World Environment Day function, organised by the Forest Department, the Minister spoke about raising awareness about environment through sustained campaign, both at government and non-government levels.AWARDS GIVEN AWAY: Mishra also gave away the Prakruti Mitra awards, the highest recognition by the State Government, to various individuals and organisations for their outstanding contribution to the green cause. Speaking on the occasion, he called for increased awareness about the need to protect the environment to offset the impact of global warming and climate change. Eco models prepared by districts were displayed at Rabindra Mandap where the function was held and Nabarangpur received the best award.HUMAN CHAIN: Meanwhile, over 1,000 students of Siksha O Anusandhan University formed a human chain along Mahatma Gandhi Marg to mark the day. “When we heal the Earth, we heal ourselves,” read a poster carried by a student of the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), a constituent of the University. The “environment chain” was activated by Mishra who presented an “environment logo”, specially designed for the occasion, to the University’s Vice-Chancellor Prof SC Mishra. The logo was passed on by the students forming the chain till it was received by Speaker of Orissa Assembly Pradip Kumar Amat and Minister of State for Energy Atanu Sabyasachi at the other end. GREEN FEST: Governor M C Bhandare inaugurated the Green Festival 2011, organised by voluntary organisation Prerna, to mark the World Environment Day on Sunday. The festival, which will continue till September 5, will include a host of activities on plantation and public awareness. The Governor called for increasing participation at the individual level to protect environment. Chairman of Prerna Dilip Srichandan said the organisation would plant one lakh saplings this year and distribute another lakh among the public. Minister Mishra, KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta and film actors Archita and Jina were present.
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