BHUBANESWAR: UNESCO is likely to ink a pact with multinational oil and gas company ONGC for conservation of ecosystem in and around Chilika lake and protection of birds besides improving livelihood of fishing community.
Chilika lake is the country’s largest brackish water lagoon spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts, covering an area of over 1,100 sq km.
A preliminary survey was conducted by a joint team of ONGC and UNESCO comprising UNESCO Director for India, Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka Shigeru Aoyagi and Director (HR) of ONGC DD Misra, who were accompanied by founder of Bhubaneswar Bird Walks Panchami Manoo Ukil.
They visited Mangalajodi wetlands and surrounding villages on Tuesday to have first-hand understanding of the conservation issues of the area. Local BDO, other officials and PRI members also accompanied the visiting team.
Speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday, Misra said an ambitious project will be taken up soon to make Chilika a UNESCO world heritage site and provide Mangalajodi bird watchers’ paradise global recognition.
The team called on Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hailed the efforts made by ONGC and UNESCO for comprehensive development of the lake’s ecosystem and wetlands of Mangalajodi, which is intrinsically intertwined with the conservation of migratory and endemic birds.
Maintaining that Chilika is hotspot of biodiversity, Aoyagi appreciated the interest shown by Pradhan in conservation efforts and assured that he will also put in his best efforts to develop Chilika as UNESCO’s world heritage site.
‘’A comprehensive dossier having detailed development plan of the ecosystem and its inhabitants by involving various Ministries and departments of both the Union and the State governments will be prepared,’’ he said.
Aoyagi and Misra also met State Environment and Forest Minister Bijayshree Routray and discussed their conservation plan with Secretary of the department Suresh Mohapatra and CEO of Chilika Development Authority Samar Nanda. The Minister assured all possible support from the State Government for the project.