BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to hold a meeting with country head of UNESCO Shigeru Aoyagi during his visit to the City on June 20.
Pradhan, who had a meeting with Aoyagi in New Delhi on May 29, had sought the latter’s support to declare Chilika lake as a world heritage site.
In a letter to Naveen, Pradhan said ONGC in partnership with UNESCO has been planning for conservation of Chilika lake and sustainable livelihood of fishing community.
These plans require the mentorship and guidance of the State Government, Ministry of Environment and Forest and Ministry of Culture, he said.
“I am soliciting your support in taking up various developmental works in the area. A meeting with the UNESCO’s representative to India will go a long way in crystallising initiatives that may be taken to preserve one of Odisha’s most recognised natural resources,” Pradhan said.