July 8th 2024.
In the district of Sundargarh, the Sagarpali Van Suraksha Samiti has been honored with the esteemed Biju Patnaik Award for their remarkable efforts in forest protection. This organization, recognized as the top Van Surakhya Samiti in Odisha, was recently presented with a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh at the state-level Van Mahotsav program in Bhubaneswar, held at the Dumduma government high school campus.
During the award ceremony, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi praised the Sagarpali VSS for their dedication and pioneering work in both environmental conservation and community development. This VSS, situated in the small village of Sagarpali within the Mangaspur gram panchayat of Tangarpali panchayat samiti, has a long history of forest conservation spanning over two centuries. The journey began officially in 1993-94 when the Sagarpali VSS was registered, following the proactive measures taken by the Sagar Youth Club against deforestation in 1975. Through collaborative efforts with the Forest department and a local NGO, this VSS has successfully transformed the once barren 'Kurladungri' hill into a thriving green area. This achievement is a testament to the commitment and teamwork of the Sagarpali VSS.
The impact of the Sagarpali VSS goes beyond just environmental conservation. With support from the Odisha Forestry Development Project-II, the village has experienced significant socio-economic development. Through various programs such as dairy farming, turmeric cultivation, vermicomposting, mushroom cultivation, and millet cultivation, the village has reduced its dependency on forest resources, empowered local women, and improved the economic condition of all 130 families in the village.
In addition to their efforts in environmental conservation, the Sagarpali VSS has also been proactive in raising awareness about forest fire prevention and wildlife protection. They have organized community-led initiatives such as 'Shramdaan' for forest and plantation development. The village has also pioneered the innovative 'muthi dhana system', where each household contributes paddy monthly towards forest development. Regional Chief Conservator of Forests in Rourkela, Ramasamy P, praised the Sagarpali VSS for their exceptional achievements and stated, "Your efforts in promoting sustainable forestry practices and fostering a deeper connection between people and nature are truly commendable."
The success of the Sagarpali VSS can be attributed to their cooperation and unity. Sundargarh DFO Pradeep Mirase has recommended them for a state-level award and extended his heartfelt congratulations to the villagers and all those involved in this exceptional achievement. It is worth noting that the Sundargarh Forest division has created a unique record by winning the best VSS award at the state level twice in the last three years. In 2022-23, Jhurimal VSS was the recipient of this prestigious award.
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