Orissa-vulnerable to climatic change-Naveen

Bhubaneswar, Jun 5 (UNI) With extensive coast lines, the people of Orissa are vulnerable to consequential change due to rising sea level and the climatic change, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.

The agrarian economy of the state had been badly affected due to erratic rains, contrasting weather conditions from heat wave to cyclones and drought to floods, Mr.Patnaik said while addressing a meeting organised on the observation of World Environment Day.

He further said the recent events have emphatically demonstrated the growing vulnerability to climatic change which in the past had led to famines and epidemics which had the potential to wipe out the civilization.

Considering the gravity of the situation, the UNEP, the Chief Minister said has asked the countries to focus on green house emission and devise ways to reduce them.

The government, Mr Patnaik said had initiated the integrated coastal zone management project to protect the ecological system with the assistance from World Bank.

Steps were being taken under the Orissa Environment Management Fund Programme for restoring degraded environment by massive plantation in Talcher, Anugul, Jharsuguda and other industrial area.

Mr Patnaik said steps were also being taken to preserve the natural beauty and environment of Chilka, Bhitarkanika, Satkoshia, and Simlipal and preserve the prime forest and sea coat of the state.

He said around 7500 eco clubs were formed in 30 districts of the state under National Green Corps programmes were doing remarkable job.

He announced to extend the Prakruti Bandhu and Prakruti Mitra award, given for the conservation of the environment, to each block in the state.

While Prakruti Mitra award is being given to an institution, the Prakruti bandhu award is conferred on an individual for work in the field of conservation of the environment.

Mr Patnaik hoped the award at the block level would bring about a revolution in environment conservation and awareness effort. The Chief Minister presented Prakruti Mitra award to 24 organisations and Prakruti bandhu award to 27 individuals on this occasion.

While the Prakruti Mitra award carries a cash prize of Rs 5000 each and a certificate, the Prakruti Bandhu award carries a cash prize of Rs one thousand and a certificate.

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