New Delhi: Chief Minister, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, today met with the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav here to discuss a wide array of issues critical to the state’s sustainable development.
The meeting, described as insightful, focused on matters of environmental protection, forest conservation, climate resilience, and broader sustainable development goals for Odisha.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi presented Shri Yadav the Odisha Vision Document, which has been unveiled by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his last visit to Odisha.
The two leaders engaged in a detailed discussion on the state’s ongoing and future initiatives related to the environment and forests. Odisha, with its significant forest cover and a long coastline, faces unique challenges and opportunities in the face of climate change.
The discussion is understood to have covered strategies for enhancing forest conservation efforts and building climate resilience to protect the state’s rich biodiversity and coastal areas.
While a specific agenda for the meeting was not officially released, sources indicate that the discussions likely centered on strengthening cooperation between the state and the central government on key environmental policies. This includes matters related to forest clearances for development projects, implementation of national schemes, and mobilizing resources for climate action.
Chief Minister Majhi, who took office earlier this year, has made environmental sustainability a key part of his government’s vision. His administration is focused on initiatives aimed at uplifting indigenous communities and promoting a community-driven development model that balances economic growth with environmental preservation.
Odisha has been a frontrunner in preparing its State Action Plan on Climate Change and is the first state to receive a grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for a project on groundwater recharge and solar micro-irrigation.
The meeting between the Chief Minister and the Union Minister signals a commitment from both the state and the central government to a collaborative approach in addressing Odisha’s environmental challenges and ensuring a path of sustainable and inclusive growth for the state.