8th edition of Odisha Environment Congress kicks off in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The 8th edition of Odisha Environment Congress (OEC) was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH) in Bhubaneswar today.

The event that focuses on the theme 'Environment and Sustainable River Basin Management', commenced today and will continue till December 22.

"Rivers are integrally involved with the growth and development of human civilisation. So an integrated approach to river-basin management is needed with focus on healthy rivers," said Patnaik.

Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh, who is also known as the 'Waterman of India', was the Chief Speaker in the inauguration ceremony of the OEC.

"I expect recommendation and solutions on sustainable development, river basin management, river ecology, environmental flow and to ensure land only for river will come out of the discussions at the Congress," said Singh.

Started in the year 2010, OEC is an annual scientific and civil society event on environment.  Like every year, over 300 environmental experts, academicians, researchers, scientists, planners, policy makers, students, practitioners, community members and civil society organizations of the state and outside are expected to attend the event during the three days.