Jharsuguda : Jharsuguda Forest department dedicated an Urban Forest in the name of renowned green crusader Late Prof. Dr Dhruvraj Naik for his dedicated role in the conservation of forests in Jharsuguda District.
To increase the green cover near Eco Park, Jharsuguda forest Officials has created a mini forest on 5 Acre Land using the Miyawaki Method, a Japanese technique of afforestation.
Miyawaki Forest, a first-of-its-kind in Jharsuguda district ensures that plant growth is 10 times faster and the resulting plantation is 30 times denser than usual. As per the Jharsuguda Forest officials, over 16,000 saplings of indigenous species will be planted on 5 acres of land.
On Thursday evening, the forest was inaugurated by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Sisir Kumar Ratho in presence of RCCF Chhittranjan Mishra and Jharsuguda Divisional Forest officer Lalit Kumar Patra.
Prof. Dr Dhruv Raj Naik was a former Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University, who dedicated his life to advocating the conservation of forests in Jharsuguda. He also ensured that forest conservation is the top priority and responsibility of each resident of the village and protect the forest called Andhari, through the federation called Maa Andhari Van Surkhya Samiti Maha Sangha. He was also instrumental and actively took part in various environmental campaigns advocating for young children to protect their environment by planting trees. However, in a shocking incident, Prof. Dr Dhruv Raj Naik was murdered in June over some issue.
Jharsuguda Divisional Forest Officer Lalit Kumar Patra said, “We wanted to pay Prof. Naik a tribute because of his selfless contribution in conservation of forest and environment. I hope that this will surely inspire the coming generations to take such kind of noble cause and work dedicatedly for the benefit of the society.”
