Odisha Restructures Environmental Awards to Boost Forest and Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Bhubaneswar: In a renewed push toward environmental sustainability and grassroots participation in forest conservation, the Odisha government has restructured its award framework to recognize exemplary efforts by individuals, institutions, and forest frontline staff. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the revised award structure during the Van Mahotsav Week celebrations held at BM High School in Old Bhubaneswar.

The restructuring, effective immediately, aims to incentivize and expand participation in forest development, wildlife protection, and environmental awareness through enhanced recognition and increased prize money across various commemorative days, including World Forestry Day, World Environment Day, Van Mahotsav Week, and Wildlife Week.

At the event, the Chief Minister’s State-Level Award for Forest Protection and Conservation was conferred jointly on the Tulangpadar Forest Protection Committee of Kalahandi and the Pahadpur Forest Protection Committee of Karanjia Forest Division, with a combined prize of ₹4 lakh and certificates. The Tulangpadar Committee successfully restored 50 hectares of degraded forest through afforestation and maintained a forest fire-free record for three years, while the Pahadpur Committee safeguarded 159 hectares of forest and significantly reduced human-elephant conflict over the past five years.

Speaking at the event, CM Majhi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to achieving a “Green Odisha by 2036” under the Vision Odisha programme. He announced plans to generate 10 lakh green livelihoods and to establish Odisha as a national model for eco-tourism, supported by over 100 forest produce processing centres for sal, tamarind, bamboo, and medicinal plants—estimated to create a market value of ₹5,000 crore.

Referencing the nationwide “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister stated that 6.69 crore saplings were planted in 2024, placing Odisha fourth nationally. The target for 2025 under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 is to plant 7.5 crore saplings. He also announced the planting of 19 lakh palm trees last year to reduce lightning strikes, with 18 lakh more planned this year.

In a major tech-based conservation measure, the government has introduced AI-based forest fire detection systems in Similipal—now designated a National Park—with ₹50 crore earmarked for its preservation. Compensation for human-wildlife conflict victims has also been increased, with ex-gratia for loss of life raised from ₹6 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, present at the event, highlighted the 2025 Van Mahotsav theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, urging citizens to dedicate tree plantation efforts to their mothers. He emphasized the vital ecological, social, and economic roles forests play in climate regulation, water purification, and biodiversity.

Key dignitaries attending the event included Ekamra Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Suresh Pant, who welcomed the gathering. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from BM High School Principal Sitakanta Mahanty.

New Award Structure Highlights:

World Forestry Day (March 21):

• State Forest Award for Field Staff: 4 Forest Rangers, 12 Foresters, and 24 Forest Guards to receive citations, medals, and ₹10,000 each.

• Afforestation Excellence Awards: ₹10,000 for one educational institution and ₹20,000 for one Gram Panchayat per subdivision.

World Environment Day (June 5):

• Prakruti Mitra Award: ₹10,000 to one village, educational institution, or registered organization per block.

• Prakruti Bandhu Award: ₹5,000 to one individual per block for environmental awareness work.

Van Mahotsav Week (July):

• Chief Minister’s Forest Protection Award: ₹4 lakh and certificate to one state-level Forest Protection Committee; ₹50,000 each to top committees at the subdivision level.

Wildlife Week (October):

• Chief Minister’s Wildlife Conservation Award: ₹4 lakh and certificate to a state-level winner; ₹25,000 and certificate to one subdivision-level recipient.

This sweeping overhaul of the awards system is a bold step toward building a more participatory and recognition-driven approach to Odisha’s ecological protection efforts.