Paradip: On World Environment Day, Justice Biraja Prasanna Satapathy of the Odisha High Court delivered a stark warning, stating that without environmental protection, the world faces extinction.
His remarks, made at an environment conclave organized by the Nature Care Initiative(NCI), a national body dedicated to environmental preservation, underscored the critical link between a healthy environment and the survival of mankind. Sakti Nayak, an eminent journalist and leading environmentalist graced the occasion.
Justice Satapathy led by example at the event, planting ten trees and urging all attendees to plant at least one tree to contribute to environmental protection. Srikant Sekhar Sahoo, President Nature Care Initiaitve chaired the meeting.
The conclave also saw the presence of Shri P. L. Haranadh, Chairman of Paradip Port Authority (PPA), who graced the occasion as an eminent guest.
A known nature enthusiast, Shri Haranadh highlighted Paradip Port’s significant strides in greening its surroundings. He revealed that over the past four years, approximately four lakh (400,000) plants have been planted in and around Paradip, with an impressive 95 percent successfully maturing into trees, providing substantial green cover for the port zone.
Paradip Port, recognized as one of the country’s major ports, has a proactive green environment policy. Shri Haranadh articulated the port’s ambitious vision to evolve into a “Green Port” and a “Green Hydrogen Hub” for India.
To further its sustainability goals, the PPA Chief announced plans to generate 30 megawatts of solar power to meet the energy demands of the port and its stakeholders.
He further affirmed that comprehensive plans are being implemented to protect the entire Paradip region from air pollution, solidifying the port’s commitment to a cleaner environment.