Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship inaugurated a unique symposium and photo exhibition titled ‘The Mangalajodi Inheritance”, organised by ONGC in association with the The Bhubaneswar Bird Walks, today at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
The objective of the symposium and photo exhibition is to bring together opinions of experts from diverse fields to strategise a way forward towards Chilika – The largest brackish water lake – to obtain heritage status from UNESCO.
Shri Pradhan highlighted that the Chilika ecosystem is an integral part of the Odia psyche, history and culture and therefore its preservation is crucial. “Chilika has immense potential to be developed as an eco-tourism destination. ONGC has shown great passion in taking up the project for conservation and holistic development of Chilika, and for accordance of status of UNESCO ‘World Heritage Site’ for Chilika Lake. It is a commendable initiative”, he said. “India is committed to fulfill its responsibilities towards lowering carbon footprint under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India by building an ecological economy to ensure sustainable development”, he said. The minister appreciated the public sector oil companies for playing a stellar role to accomplish this objective. From environment protection to focus on bio-fuels and 2nd Gen ethanol fuel, many initiatives have been taken.
Japanese Ambassador to India Shri Kenji Hiramatsu appreciated India’s role in conservation of bio-diversity in Chilika and reaffirmed Japan’s support towards skill development, knowledge transfer and technology induction.
Shri Shashi Shanker, CMD, ONGC said that ONGC has taken many inititatives towards environment conservation such as plantation of Ringal Bamboos in Himalayas, Mangrove plantation on the western coast, and many heritage conservation projects. The project at Chilika is one such intervention. “Our CSR footprint extends from beaches of Rameshwaram to the peaks of the Himalayas”- he said, adding that in the coming days, ONGC is planning to take up skill development and all round development of infrastructure in areas around Chilika and make Chilika a World Heritage site.
