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1.1 Forest and Environment Department are responsible for conservation and sustainable management of forests and wildlife, afforestation and regeneration of degraded forest lands, control and abatement of pollution and administration of environmental laws and promotion of environmental awareness among the public.

1.2 Forests have an important role in the economy of the State, particularly, amongst rural S.C. and Tribal masses. Forestry activities contribute a lot to their food security and day-to-day livelihood. Forests also sustain the large sized livestock of about 29.3 million. The pressure of human population and livestock on forests for fuel wood, small timber and grazing in most places is much more and beyond the carrying capacity of existing forests and these forests are under continuous threat of degradation. The rapid degradation of forests has created serious problems for the overall eco-system and the State is facing natural calamities like droughts/floods and cyclone frequently.

2.1. The Forest and Environment Department in the State operates through a number of departmental formations and autonomous bodies. The field formations under the Forestry set up are organized under the Forest, Wildlife and Kendu leaf Wings. The Orissa Forest Development Corporation (O.F.D.C.) Ltd. acts as the commercial wing of the Department and discharges the function of disposing of various forest produce, viz, Kendu leaf, salvaged timber, bamboo and sal seed. It also supplies timber, bamboo and firewood to the public through over 171 depots run by it.

Restructuring of the entire forest field formation with a view to reduce overlapping functions, improving efficiency and integrating all forestry functions at the Divisional level for facilitating forestry extension activities and promotion of participatory forest management has been effected from 1.10.2003. After reorganization, the State has 7 Forest Circles and 37 Forest Divisions under the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, 1 circle and 12 Wildlife Divisions with territorial jurisdiction and Nandan Kanan under the Chief Wildlife Warden-cum- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). Besides, there are 3 circles and 19

Kenduleaf Divisions under Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (KL) engaged in collection and processing of Kendu leaves There are 8 working plan divisions, one Forest Resources Survey division , and two Silviculture Divisions looking into preparation of working plans, resource inventory and forest research respectively. There are five training institutions, viz. one Forest Rangers’ Training College, one Forester Training School at Champua, two Forest Guards Training Schools at Angul and G. Udayagiri and Social Forestry Training & Research Institute, Bhubaneswar. There are 221 Forest Ranges, 60 Wildlife Ranges. For collection and processing of Kendu leaf, there are 165 K.L. Ranges.

2.3 The Environment Wing – The Environment Wing of the erstwhile Science, Technology and Environment Department became part of the Forest and Environment Department in October 1990. The Environment Wing does not have any field formations. Besides the Directorate of Environment, the State Pollution Control Board constitutes the main agency of the Government. A Chilika Development Authority has been set up for the eco-restoration of Chilika Lake. The Regional Plant Resources Center (R.P.R.C.) is a unique institution devoted to ex situ preservation and development of plant genetic resources of the State and development and application of micro propagation technologies. A Center for Environment Studies has been created during 2000-2001 by the State Government with the objective of disseminating environmental-linked information and creation of environmental awareness, and taking up need based studies and consultancy assignments in the field of environmental impact assessment and environmental management plans.

3.1 The State has a recorded forest area of about 58,136.23 Sq.Kms. with the following classifications:-

Reserve Forests	26,329.12 Sq.Kms.
Demarcated Protected Forest	11,686.44 Sq.Kms.
Undemarcated Protected Forest	3,838.78 Sq.Kms.
Unclassed forest	20.55 Sq.Kms.
Village Forests, Khesra Forest and Others.	16,261.34 Sq.Kms.
Total:	58,136.23 Sq.Kms.

3.2 According to the State of Forests Report, 2003 published by the Forest Survey of India,Dehradun the actual Forest cover is 48,336 Sq.Kms. including 207 Sq.Km. of mangrove forests. Out of this

Dense Forest (with crown density above 40%

28,170 Sq.Kms.

Open Forest (with crown density of 10%to 40%)

20,196 Sq.Kms

3.3. Thus, while the recorded forest area constitutes about 37.34% of the total Geographical area of the State, actual forest cover exists over only 31% of the Geographical area, and out of this 13 % is open degraded forests. National Forest Policy has mandated that 33% of the Geographical area should be under forest cover. The Department has been constantly endeavoring to protect the forest areas and regenerate the degraded forests. It is heartening to note that according to the 2003 State of the Forest Report of the Forest Survey of India, there has been actually an increase in dense forest cover in the State by 198 Sq. Kms. This is attributed to both protection and successful Joint Forest Management efforts. There is reported a decrease in forest cover by 472 Sq. Kms., but overall there has been increased in forest and tree cover combined.

4.1 With growing population there has been tremendous pressure on the forests both for forest produce as well as for forest lands. Consequent upon reorganization during; the year 2003, the State is divided into 281 (221 Forest and 60 Wildlife) Ranges, 1001 Sections and 3674 Beats. The average forest area per Beat comes to 15.82 Sq. Kms., for a Forest Section, 58.07 Sq. Kms., and for a Range 206.88 Sq.Kms. which is considered to be quite high from the management point of view. Besides, the Forest Staff are responsible for attending to the need of developmental activities and protection of trees in all other classified type of forests, not within their administrative control.

4.2 Illegal removal of forest produces is largely confined to some vulnerable areas, such as the forests on the basin of River Mahanadi spread over Sambalpur, Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh districts, Similipal Forests in Mayurbhanj district, the forests of Rayagada, Koraput & Malkangiri Districts in Orissa- Andhra Pradesh Border and the forest corridor in the Inter State Orissa-Jharkhand and Orissa- Chhatishgarh Border.

4.3 The Forest Department has been keeping a close vigil over forest offences and taking action to bring the offenders to book. During 2005-06, as per the figures reported up to December 2005 the forest offence cases booked offenders involved, timber and forest produce seized and cases booked under Section 56 of Orissa Forest Act 1972 and put to confiscation proceedings in the state are as follows:

1.	Total Number of forest offence cases booked	-	45,180
2.	Number of offenders involved	-	7,390
3.	Quantity of timber seized	-	16,200 Cum.
4.	Value of all forest produce seized about	-	8 Crores
5.	Number of cases booked U/S 56	-

1.	Total Number of forest offence cases booked	-	38,753
2.	Number of offenders involved	-	29,543
3.	Quantity of timber seized	-	5,319 Cum
4.	Value of all forest produce seized	-	2,97,20,245
5.	Number of cases booked under Section 56	-	1,613

4.4. 19 Units of APR Forces have been posted in different Forest & Wildlife Divisions of the State for the purpose of Forest protection. These 19 units comprise of 260 Nos. of Police Personnel including 20 S.Is., 14 A.S. Is, 19 Havildars and 207 Constables. In addition, the Central Reserve Police Force (C.R.P.F.) has been deployed in the Dhuanali and Barbara of Reserve Forest area of Khurda Forest Division, which is a patch of rich and unique Forest with Teak Plantations from the pre-independence times. The experience has been encouraging. A proposal for constitution of Orissa States Forests Protection Force in selected vulnerable areas is under consideration in Government level.

4.5. 265 Forest Check gates have been established in the State to regulate the transit of forest produce. 739 VHF sets have been installed in different territorial ranges. Sections and other vulnerable area. Besides, 408 Guns and 104 Revolvers have also been supplied to the field staff.

4.6 In addition to the above measures, the State has also adopted the policy of Joint Forest Management (JFM) and has involved the local villagers in protection and management of the degraded forests. A scheme to reward villagers as well as Departmental personnel for confiscating stolen property and preventing theft is devised under State Forestry Award.

5.1. One of the salient features of the National Forest Policy (1988) is to actively associate the people in the protection, conservation and management of the forests. The State Government is wedded to a policy of promoting participation of local village communities in protection and management of degraded forest. In August 1988, the State Government brought out a resolution to formally introduce a scheme of protection of peripheral reserve forests with participation of the people of adjoining villages. These guidelines have been fine-tuned from time to time, ending with September 1996 Resolution.

5.2. In accordance with the 1993 JFM Resolution of the Government, 7,358 Nos. of Vana Samrakshana Samities (VSS) are functioning in the State for protecting and regenerating an area of about 8,039 Sq. Kms. of degraded forests through Joint Forest Management as in March, 2005. During 2005-06 ( upto September 2005) additional 2248 VSS have been formed with assignment of 479 Sq. Kms. of forest area. Thus, the total number of VSS formed in the State as on September, 2005 stands at 9,606 and 8,518 Sq.Kms. of forest area is covered under protection of these Van Samrakshana Samitees. All the families of 8,010 villages are members of these VSS so far constituted.

6.1. According to the Forest Survey of India’s present forest cover in the State is 31% as against 33% of the total geographical area mandated by the National Forest Policy, 1988 . There is thus an imperative need to accelerate efforts for afforestation and regeneration of the degraded forests for achieving the mandated 33% forest cover and also to reforest the degraded forests with less than 10% crown density in the entire recorded forest area measuring 4,574 Sq.Kms.

6.2. During 2005-2006 the afforestation programme has been implemented in the State under different State Plan and Central Plan over a total area of 19090 ha. Out of this 10,366 ha. has been covered under Revised Long Term Action Plan ( RLTAP), 2315 ha under National Afforestation Programme ( NAP) and 6409 ha under Economic Plantation. Bulk of plantation is carried out in KBK districts under RLTAP.

6.3. The Department has been implementing Afforestation Programmes in K.B.K. district under the Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) for last six years. During the current year 5265 ha. have been covered under Block Plantation, 101 ha. under Medicinal Plantation and another 5000 ha. have been covered by rehabilitation of degraded forests. Fruit bearing and N.T.F.P. species as well as fuel wood , economic species and Bamboo have been planted under the Scheme. At every plantation site Vana Samrakshana Samities have been formed and people’s participation ensured.

6.4 The Forest & Wildlife Wing has also taken up 81 ha Jagannath Vana Prakalpa plantation and 343 ha. mixed plantation from DRDA funding. Further 3642 ha plantation under compensatory afforestation has also been taken up during the current year out of fund deposited by User Agencies for the purpose. Frangipani seedlings in 7400 number have also been planted at Lalitagiri Heritage site.

During the 10th Plan period afforestation schemes under Central Plan or Central Sector Plan have not been sponsored by Government of India. The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India under the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Scheme have adopted an integrated approach for forest conservation and the development of the community living in the forest fringes by ensuring convergences in the flow of funds under various central sector and centrally sponsored schemes in the forestry sector through Forest Development Agency (F.D.A.) constituted in every forest division. Accordingly, F.D.As have been constituted in 32 forests and one wild life division with total number of 1121 VSS. Micro-plans for development of areas assigned to each V.S.S was prepared and submitted to Government of India for funding. Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India had cleared all the 34 proposals and sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs. 63.30 crores. 32,596 ha of afforestation was taken up during 2003-04 and 2004-05. Against the total release till 2004-05 of Rs. 28.73 crores, an expenditure of Rs. 25.98 crores has been undertaken for the said works. This year i.e. 2005-06, 2315 ha. of Plantation has been taken up against funds released during year under (NAP).

6.6 Besides, the above plantation Programme Forest & Wildlife Wing have also produced and distributed 70 lakhs of seedlings to the farmers for growing trees in their own lands under RLTAP in KBK districts and other Decentralized Nursery Programme of D.R.D.A. and N.F.F.W.P.

A number of development activities in different sectors like Irrigation, Mining, Railways, Roads, etc. of Economy are also in progress. These development projects involve large scale diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes. In the state of Orissa since 1980 up to December’2005, 295 Nos. of project proposals under different Sectors have been approved by the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests Department under Forest Conservation Act involving diversion of 31,780 hect. of forest land. The Government of India while giving their permission, have stipulated for undertaking compensatory afforestation in lieu of forest areas diverted for non-forestry purpose. For this purpose the various agencies have deposited Rs.63.06 crores with the State Government. Till December, 2005 Compensatory Afforestation has been done over an area of 27,004 hect. including forest and non-forest land.

State Medicinal Plants Board is functioning since August,2002 for promoting cultivation of Medicinal Plants in the State. During the year 2004-05, 43 No. of commercial projects and 31 Nos. of promotional projects including 11 Nos. of Government agencies have been recommended by State Medicinal Plants Board for financial assistance from National Medicinal Plant Board so far National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) has sanctioned 5 promotional projects during 2004-05 with financial assistance of Rs. 64.00 lakhs and 41 commercial projects of farmers of cultivation and marketing of Medicinal Plants for financial assistance of Rs. 52.64 lakhs over three years. Projects sanctioned during 2004-05 are under implemented during 2005-06 also. A Scheme on Vanaspati Van Samittee with a financial outlay of Rs. 5.00 crores is under implementation in Gandhamardhan Hill Range of Bolangir and Bargarh Divisions.

7.1 Kendu Leaf (KL) trade offers one of the largest employment opportunities in rural Orissa. The Kendu Leaf Organization operated 7,324 collection centers ( Phadies) spread over 23 non-coastal districts of the State for purchase of the Kendu Leave collected by the villagers. 993 numbers of K.L. Central Godowns have been constructed for storage of the processed and phal kendu leaf bags.

7.2 During 2005-06 ( 2005 Crop Year) the target of Kendu Leaf out put was 3.75 lakh quintals of K.L. production was 3.46 lakh quintals of process form and 0.29 lakh quintals of Phal. About 9 lakh pluckers have benefited from leaf collection. Other works of K.L.operation like bush cutting, Phadi repair, processing and binding of K.L. etc. have been generated wage labour in the order of 130 lakh person days 339 M.T. of food commodities of World Food Programme have been issued as an incentive to the binding labourers during the yar. For enhanced transparency in the operations at all stages, Phadi Committees have been organized and activated for each collection center. The purchase price paid to primary collectors of Kendu Leaf was also enhanced from 21 Paise to 21.5 paise per Kerry comprising 20 leaves. As per the Govt. decision a pair of chappals were supplied to the Pluckers who collected leaves during 2003 Crop Year.

7.3 The O.F.D.C. Ltd finances the entire operational cost of production of K.L. and carries out of marketing of KL as an Agent of the State Government.

8. SETTLEMENT IN FORESTS AND DIVERSION OF FOREST LAND FOR DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:

8.1 For diversion of forest land for different non-forest purpose, prior approval of Government of India under Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 is mandatory. Since inception of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 so far, 295 nos. of projects belonging to Irrigation, Industry, Mining, Transmission Line, Roads, Railwys and Defense Sectors have been cleared by Government of India under provisions of Forest Conservation Act, 1980 diverting 29780 ha of forest area in total till December, 2005.

8.2 Out of this, during the year 2005-06, 22 Nos. of projects have been cleared by Government of India involving diversion of 1493.711 ha of forest land.

8.3 Pursuant to commitment of the State Government to regularize the Pre-1980 encroachment/forest villages in favour of the eligible encroachers, complete proposals in respect of 17 districts involving the case of 3,754 families 3328.42 ha. of forest land to be settled in their favour have been sent to Government of India for their approval under the provision of Forest (Conservation) Act’1980. The State Government have moved Hon’ble Supreme Court during November, 2004 for giving direction to government of India for regularization of Pre-1980 eligible encroachments in the State. Orders of the Apex Court are awaited.

9.1. Management of Wildlife, maintenance and development of Sanctuaries, National Parks, Biosphere Reserves and Zoological Parks are the responsibility of the Wildlife Wing of the department under the Chief Wildlife Warden.

9.2. In order to protect and conserve Wildlife in their habitant, a total No. of 18 Sanctuaries and two National Parks, have been constituted. These protected areas constitute 10.73% of the total forest and 4.1% of the total Geographical area of the State. Besides three elephant reserves namely (i) Mayurbhanj (ii) Sambalpur (Badarama Khalasuni), (iii) Mahanadi have been constituted.

9.3. As per a census of Tigers conducted during January,2004, there are 192 tigers and 457 leopards in the wild in the State. This includes 101 tigers and and 127 leopards in the Similipal Forests. As per Elephant census of 2002, there are 1,841 elephants in the State. The number of crocodiles in Bhitarkanika as per January’2005 census is 1454. During 2005, 2.34 lakh Olive Ridley sea turtle laid their eggs at Gahirmatha sea coast and another 0.89 lakh sea turtles mass nested at Rushikulya river mouth .

9.4. Nandankanan Zoological Park has the distinction for having 48 species of mammals, 69 species of a birds and 22 species of reptiles.

9.5 The State has been implementing several research and conservation projects in Wildlife, viz- the Project Tiger (1972-73), Integrated Crocodile and Sea Turtle Project (1975-76), Project Elephant (1991-92), Aquatic Bird Project (1992-93), Black Buck Project (1994-95) and GOI-UNDP Sea Turtle Project (2000-2002), Dolphin Project (2002-2003) etc.

9.6 In the Winter of 2005 about 9.58 lakh of migratory birds visited Chilika Lake, as per the census made by Board experts. .

9.7 Compassionate payment on account of human deaths and injuries caused by Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Crocodile, Sloth Bear, Indian Wolf Boar, Gaur and Wild Dog attacks within a forest area or within a belt of five kilometers from the limit of forests is being made.

10.1 During the year 2005-06 the Corporation has taken up supply of fire wood, bamboos, small timbers and house building materials to the public through 172 Retail Sale Depots located all over the State. During the year upto November,2005 the corporation has sold about 10,089 cum. of timber and 8928 MT of firewood at a sale value of Rs. 10.90 crore approximately to meet the demand of people. At present OFDC is operating 7 (seven) Saw Mills by the Corporation and 2 (two) hired saw mills.

O.F.D.C. has received about 3.30 lakh quintals of processed K.L. and 0.12 lakh quintals of PPQ of phal K.L. from the Forest Deptt. Besides 38,394 S.B. of Phal Bags have been produced from advance sale area. 2.93 lakh Quintals of processed leaves, 38394 SB from advance sale area and 0.12 lakh quintal from Department worked phal leaves have been sold with a sale value of Rs. 126 crores. OFDC has paid Rs. 82.00 crores towards working cost of production and Rs. 20.00 crores to Government as K.L. Royalty. Moreover Rs. 2.53 crores have been released towards supply of Chappals.

10.2 The Bamboo operation for 2004-05 and 2005-06 has been taken up through the RMPs, M/s J.K.Paper Ltd. and M/s BILT(SEWA) as per the decision of the Govt. 91,203 sale units of Bamboo 2004-05 crop has been havested from the Forest. 67,578 sale unit as on 30.11.2005 has been lifted from Depot to the two paper Mills of State. As against the sale of Bamboo to the Paper Mills, royalty of Rs.4.10 crores has been paid to the Govt. by November, 2005. The Bamboo operation for 2005-06 crop has been taken up through RMPs with a targeted production of 1,10,000 MTs. The employment generation through bamboo cutting is estimated at around 12 lakh mandays.

11.1 A project for providing subsidized food ration to the labourers engaged in the forestry activities for improving their nutritional statues is being implemented by the Department by availing food aid from the World Food Programme of the United Nations. The food commodities are received free at the ports and transported at the departments cost to various work sites.

11.2 The food commodities are utilized in predominantly 6 tribal districts of the State namely Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawarangpur and Rayagada in the activities like affforestation, bamboo operations and Kendu Leaf binding and processing

operations. To avail food ration a labourer is required to voluntarily contribute at the rate of Rs. 9.00 for getting a food packet of 2.5 Kg. Of Rice and 200 grams of pulses from his daily wage. The generated funds are utilized for meeting needs of the local communities by implementing micro plan projects and creating public infrastructure such as storage godown, drinking water supply facilities, concrete roads inside villages , renovation of ponds and promotion of pisciculture.

11.3 The programme continued during 2005-06. 11253 MT of rice and 876 MT of Pulses were utilized under the project till December,05. Welfare funds to the tune of Rs. 49,96,072 were utilized out of generated funds for execution of micro projects as approved by S.L.C.C.

During 2005-2006 the department undertook implementation of labour intensive works under National Food For Work Programme by utilizing food grains received from the central Government as per the perspective plan of the district. Several works such as maintenance of forest roads/boundary, construction of water harvesting structures/ponds, plantation and rehabilitation of degraded forest, distribution of seedlings, etc. have been undertaken under expenditure of Rs. 365 lakhs and food grain utilization of 4765 M.T.

The Environment Department has four organizations under its administrative control.

13.1 The following important activities were undertaken by the Environment Wing.

(i) State Government has constituted 3 numbers of Appeallate Authorities under Water Act, Air Act and Biomedical Waste Rules to hear appeals preferred against any order made by the State Pollution Control Board. The said Appeallate Authorities have started functioning, within the premises of the State Pollution Control Board.

(ii) The sitting criteria for setting up brick-kilns have been notified by the State Government.

(iii) The Chilika Development Authority has been notified as the nodal Agency for the Conservation of the rare Irrawady Dolphin. Proopellar guards have been made mandatory for all motor boats playing in Chilika lake and gill net are to be phased out.

(iv) The Orissa State Coastal Zone Management Authority constituted by Government of India to enforce the Coastal Zone Management Plan and to Monitor Violations of Coastal Zone Regulation. It has recommended 9 projects to Government of India for construction of Jetties and waiting halls for convenience of passengers as proposed by the Inland Water Transport of Commerce & Transport Department.

(v) State Govt. have constantly endeavored to promote awareness on environment conservation and protection though District Environment Societies and 4500 Eco-clubs spread over the entire State. On 5^th June, a State level function is organized every year to celebrate the World Environment Day. State Govt. conferred 23 nos. of “ Prakruti Mitra” and 22 nos. of “ Prakruti Bandhu” Awards are distributed to selected voluntary organizations/individuals/villages institutions representing different districts, for their meritorious work in environmental conservation on the World Environment Day,2005.

(vi) Under National Green Corps programme introduced by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, Eco-clubs have been established in 4500 Schools over the entire State. The Eco clubs are pioneer teams creating environmental awareness among the local inhabitants.

(vii) National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) is an important environmental awareness programme that is taken up by the Environment Department through the CES which has been declared as the Regional Resource Agency (RRA) under the NEAC Programme by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. Small NGOs are funded for environmental awareness activities.

14.1 The State Pollution Control Board is responsible for enforcement of the provisions of (i) The Water ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, (ii) The Water ( Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977, (iii) The Air ( Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (iv) Rules framed under the Environment ( protection) Act, 1986.

Within the framework of the above acts and rules the Board carried out the following activities during 2005-06.

14.2.1 Industrial Pollution, Abatement and Control through consent administration for establishment and before operation of the industry.

Due to stricter surveillance, monitoring and enforcement by the State Pollution Control Board, 16 numbers of closure directions have been issued to the large and medium defaulting industries.

(i) During 2005-2006, the Board has granted consent with stipulations for appropriate pollution control measures to 434 industries for establishment and 515 industries for operation.

(ii) During 2005-06 the Board has conducted 19 Nos. of public hearings for major industrial/mining/development projects, which require environmental clearance from Govt. of India.

(iii) The Board has continued to take action against the defaulting stone crushers.

(iv) Disposal of fly ash in abandoned mine pits by Talcher Thermal Power Station has been operationalised. This practice of mine disposal of ash is considered to be one of the best practices and Orissa is the first State to operationalise the same.

(v) Reports on the environmental impact of sponge iron plants in Sundargarh and Jharsuguda districts were completed by the Board in 2005-06.

(vi) Taking into consideration the environmental problems arising out of number of sponge iron plant in clusters, the State Govt. on the recommendation of the State Pollution Control Board prohibited establishment of sponge iron plants in six blocks of the States.

(vii) In the year 2005-06, 1029 industrial waste Water/sewage samples, 330 stack emission samples and 730 ambient air (industrial premises) have been analyzed.

14.2.2 Regulation of Hazardous Wastes Management.: The Board has granted authorization to 20 units for Management and Handling of Hazardous Wastes during 2005-06.

14.2.3 Management of Bio-Medical Wastes: The Board has granted authorization to 175 nos. of Health Care units during 2005-06 under the Bio-Medical Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998, with conditions for appropriate management, handling, treatment and disposal of biomedical wastes.

It has been decided to support two model MSW management facilities in two small ULBs of Orissa.

14.2.5 Planning and Monitoring: To Plan a comprehensive programme for prevention and control of pollution, the Board has undertaken the following activities during 2005-06.

(i) Water qualities in 62 stations of 06 major rivers of the state (Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Rushikulya, Subarnarekha and Nagavali). 32 water quality parameters are being regularly monitored in each of those stations.

(ii) Monitoring of ambient air quality is regularly carried out in eight important towns and industrial areas like, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Rayagada, Angul and Rourkela. Air quality is being monitored in 15 stations in the above eight towns in respect of four parameters namely, suspended particulate matter, respirable particular matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

(iii) Monitoring of noise pollution level on festive occasions like Dushera, Dipavali and Baliyatra and impact of idol immersion (Durga Puja) the water quality have been undertaken.

(iv) Preparation of district wise Zoning Atlas for sitting of industries based on environmental consideration, for the districts of Khurda, Balangir and Sonepur are in progress.

(v) The Board acts as a facilitator for the implementation of the Eco-city programme for Puri town, which has been approved in principle by the Central Pollution Control Board.

(i) The Board has collaborated in a number of seminars/workshops for public awareness regarding environmental protection. Three interaction meets at three different locations in the State with industry representatives and other stakeholders were organized to discuss the draft EIA notification. The Board regularly publishes advertisemens related to environmental issues in different periodicals/newspapers/ souvenirs.

(ii) The Board imparts training to police personnel on monitoring and control of vehicular and noise pollution. During 2005-06, 48 police personnel were trained in two batches.

(iii) In continuation of earlier practice, the Board has published three issues of the newsletter “Paribesh Samachar” for dissemination of environment related issues to general public.

(iv) With a view to generating public awareness on environmental related issues, Board celebrated World Environment Day, Ozone Day and the National Pollution Prevention Day on 5^th June, 16^th September and 2^nd December, 2005 respectively.

(v) It has been decided to promote eco club activities in various schools in the state with financial assistance. In the first phase the Board has approved provision of assistance to the eco clubs in two districts. Nuapada and Ganjam district has been choosen for the same.

(vi) It has been decided to provide financial assistance for model rainwater harvesting structures in some schools to facilitate awareness among the children on the importance of water conservation measures.

(vii) The following reports have been prepared and are in the process of finalization.

15.1 During the year, Chilika Development Authority as Project Implementing Agency, has taken initiatives for development 10 nos. of Micro Watersheds in Banpur Block of Khurda District. The project is supported by Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Govt. of India under the “Integrated Wasteland Development Programme”. The project is for five year period i.e. 20.10.2004 to 20.10.2009 with a financial outlay Rs. 3.00 crores. It covers 38 nos. of villages with a total population of 7759 in catchment of Chilika. Total geographical area of micro watersheds is 8426 ha, out of which treatable area is 5000 ha.

15.2 The participatory watershed development project is being implemented this year through State holders NGO’s etc. in the catchments of Chilika. As an economic support measures, cultivation of horticultural species i.e. grafted mango, hybrid cashew, papaya, banana, drumstick, lemon etc. in back yard (7004 nos.) as well as in bulk plantation (393.196 acres) was initiated with active involvement of stakeholders.

15.3 Chilika Development Authority has initiated measures for catchment amelioration under annual action plan-“Integrated Sustainable Management of Chilika lagoon” with the fund support of Ministry of Environment of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India. During the year, catchment treatment measures i.e. block plantation (550 ha), bamboo plantation (101 ha), natural regeneration (300 ha), installation of vegetative hedges with v-ditches (500 ha), stabilization of ravines (100 ha), water holes construction etc. have been accomplished.

15.4 During the year, a collaborative project ‘wise use of the natural resources of Chilika Lagoon through stakeholder participation & documentation of emerging lessons’ with fund support of India Canada Environment Facility (ICEF) has also been under implementation. The objective of the project is to establishment self-sustainable mechanism for conservation and sustainable management of lagoon resources with active community participation. It aims for optimization of productivity and value addition through appropriate technology to facilitate improved livelihoods of the local communities. The project is for two year duration commencing from 1^st April, 2005.

For promoting community-based eco-tourism, saline embankment along side of Mangalajodi (4 Kms.) is developed as a nature trail. This activity includes; embankment improvement, development of viewing points, avenue plantation, small landing center, watch tower construction and orientation trainings to Mangalajodi Bird Protection Committee members. An orientation training programme to 315 nos. of boatmen was organized at Satapada from 18^th to 20^th August, 2005. The guideline for dolphin watching has been developed whereas guideline for birds watching is being developed.

15.5 A collaborative project “Participatory Integrated Watershed Development for Chilika Lagoon” with the fund support from Royal Danish Embassy has also been under implementation. DHI (India) Water & Environment Private Limited being the strategic partner in project implementation providing consultancy & technical inputs. The project commenced from 16^th August 2004 and ended by 31^st December 2005. Main focus of this project has been capacity development at community & institution level on participatory watershed management. Boitia pahad micro watershed was selected as a pilot water shed for hands-on training under the above Project.

15.6 Chilika Development Authority in coordination with Department of Fisheries initiated a collaborative fishery-monitoring programme since September,2000. The collection & estimation of fish landing statistics has yielded multi-dimensional information such as changes in catch composition pattern, trends in prawn & mud crab fisheries, productivity, catch per unit effort (CPUE), per-capita income, income per fisher family etc.

15.7 The physico-chemical & hydro biological parameters of the Chilika lagoon is being monitored at 30 different location of the lagoon. The study of the Irrawady dolphin, a flagship species is under progress.

16.1 Regional Plant Resources Centre ( RPRC) has well defined focus areas of Research and Development on Taxonomy and Conservation, Bio-Technology, Forestry & Horticulture.

16.2 Under the Taxonomy and conservation programme, a floristic survey of special habitats in Gandhamardan hills, Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Niamgiri hills and Kalarapat Sanctuary as well as Bhitarkanika Mangrove areas have been taken up by the center.

A mid term and a long term module of seed bank have been set up this year for 250 species of economic plants. Further a Bambusetum of 34 species is being maintained in the center. A medicinal germ plasm garden housing 250 species of medicinal plants collected from all over India has been developed for sensitization of public i