World Wetlands Day 2nd February 2010 

OFSDP organized a day-long work shop on the World Wetland Day 2nd February 2010 at Bhadrak. Focus of deliberation was on enhancing community participation in Restoration of Mangroves, which are important wetland along Bhadrak and Balasore coast, and participants included the Presidents and Animators of Eco Development Committees formed under the Project. With a view to create awakening about the significance of Mangroves, essay competitions were organized for the students in the 22 project EDCs.

 

In his inaugural address Sri R.N.Senapati IAS, Agricultural Production Commissioner and Chairperson OFSDP Governing Body appealed to community for active participation in plantation of mangroves and choose alternative IGA programme to reduce pressure on the wetland being facilitated by the Project. They should also take advantage of other Government programmes including NREGA, SGSY, Horticultural Mission, Pisiculture.

Speaking about the role of Mangroves, Sri. D.D.Biswal IFS, JDP described them as the kidney of the wetland ecosystem. Sri A. K. Bansal, IFS, PCCF and Project Director highlighted the activities and facilitation under the Project aiming at restoration of Mangroves along with promoting alternative sources of livelihood for people depending on Mangroves.    

                                                   In this celebration 50 participants representing 2440 active (892 women members) EDC members of the 1169 HHs from 22 Eco-Development Committees  formed by OFSDP in the Bhadrak & Baleswar Districts for the Management of the Mangrove Wetlands. The EDC members also shared their experience about project intervention for the Mangrove Conservation & afforestation .In this process the benefits are, Regular availability of fodder from Mangrove due to control collection, easy collection of fish from Fishbone Channel designed for tidal inundation & Mangrove plantation, very good harvest of paddy from due buffalo grazing control & direct working days created for the poor people through 951ha  Mangrove plantation & 4500 ha. Mangrove protection activities. Mr.A.Brahma,DFO Baleswar & Mr.S.Patra,DFO Bhadrak requested the EDC members to  be prepare to achieve the coming year Mangrove plantation in 1409ha. Prize awarded to six students out of 156 student participated in the essay competition “the Importance of Mangrove Conservation”. Posters, pictures depicting activities, and potted Mangrove plants were put on display 

It was the first programme of its type at Bhadrak to create awakening among government officials the other departments, Media, Student, community members from different villages about the Importance of Wetland Conservation In all about 145 persons participated.