Odisha marked the 71st State-Level Wildlife Week with a vibrant celebration at the Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.
The event highlighted the state’s enduring commitment to biodiversity protection and sustainable coexistence with wildlife.
Hon’ble Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati and Forest Minister Sri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia 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 honored 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.
Dr. Sarat Chandra Mishra received the prestigious Chief Minister Award for Wildlife Conservation, 2025, for his extensive documentation of rare and endemic orchids in Similipal. Winners of the state-level Online Quiz, Sit & Draw, and Photography competitions were also felicitated.
The celebration served as a reminder of Odisha’s rich ecological heritage and the collective responsibility to preserve it for future generations.
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