Climate Change a Looming Catastrophe for the Future; World Environment Protection Week Observed in Nimapada

Puri :- World Environment Protection Week was observed at Maa Sarala Mandap in Nimapada under the joint auspices of Puri Suraksha Parishad, Lata Charitable Trust and Self Empowerment Parivar. A discussion on the theme of climate change was held on the occasion.

        The meeting was chaired by executive president Lakshminarayan Pattnaik. Among those present were Parishad president Binay Nrusingha Mahapatra, adviser Dayanidhi Tripathy, historian Madan Mohan Mahapatra, trust founder Lata Das, senior journalist Prashanta Kumar Sahu, Odisha Freedom Fighters’ Forum president Arttabandhu Senapati, senior citizens’ forum member Chitta Ranjan Senapati, social worker Brajabandhu Mishra and Dibakar Nayak.

       Speakers expressed concern over the accelerating impact of climate change, warning that it could trigger severe social and environmental crises in the future. While acknowledging the Centre and the State government’s planned coastal protection initiatives under the Sagarmala Project as a significant step towards safeguarding the coastline from sea erosion and tidal ingress, participants criticised the slow pace of implementation.

The discussion also highlighted that afforestation programmes largely remain confined to official records, with limited impact on the ground. Participants suggested the formation of an environmental protection “Mahapanchayat” involving local voluntary organisations to ensure effective implementation of government schemes and strengthen grassroots environmental conservation efforts.

       There was a collective call for dedicated government action to address water and air pollution, which the speakers described as an urgent need of the hour.Among those who participated in the discussion were Lalatendu Mishra, Sujata Satpathy, Nrusingha Charan Mahanti, Jyotirmayi Ray Pritam and Seema Das.The programme was conducted by Niranjan Palta, who also delivered the welcome address. The vote of thanks was proposed by Gopinath Patra.