Jairam Ramesh describes himself as friend of Orissa

BHUBANESWAR: Union minister of environment and forest Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday described himself as "a friend of Orissa". "I’m an Oriya. I begin my day by listening to poet Jayadev’s Gita Gavinda. Besides, most of my staff members are Oriyas," Ramesh said here on Wednesday while speaking at delivering his speech at RMNH. He attempted to strike an emotional chord with the audience by saying at the inaugural function of North-East gallery at the Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH).

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) headed by Ramesh had initially put on hold forest clearance to Posco, and revoked mining license at Niyamgiri bauxite reserve for Vedanta’s smelter, evoking serious criticism from the ruling BJD and a few industry associations. A "campaign" was launched depicting him as "villain."

A perturbed Ramesh, during his last Orissa visit Kendrapara in March, said in a public meeting that he was hurt as some people depicted him as a "villain." Stating that he had strong affinity with Orissa and its people, the minister then sought to clarify that he was doing his duty in accordance with law.

Ramesh, who was blamed for delay in Rs 52,000 crore Posco project, on Wednesday refused to talk about Posco project. "I’m here on a pleasant assignment. There is more to Posco in Orissa," Ramesh told reporters at the Biju Patnaik airport here.

On the newly inaugurated facility, the minister said the gallery would be an added attraction along with the already existing gallery depicting the biodiversity of Orissa with exhibits on Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Mahanadi ecosystem, Bhitarkanika Mangroves and Chilika lagoon along with a unique collection of 47 ft skeleton of a baleen whale, supported by many educational programmes and activities for public and students.

This new gallery on North East biodiversity is having exhibits depicting different eco-regions of North East, the course of the mighty river Brahmaputra and Kaziranga, the habitat of one-horned Indian rhinoceros, the endemic and endangered avifauna, rich diversity of non human primates, orchids and rhododendron of North East, new species discoveries from Eastern Himalayas, the hills, waterfalls, sacred groves of Meghalaya and the Loktak lake - a unique habitat of Sangai.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who inaugurated the gallery, said. "This is a step forward for conservation of the rich biodiversity heritage of our country. Forest Biodiversity has been the theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity during the current year.

This provides us the opportunity to increase public awareness and intensify forest conservation efforts. Maintaining the world’s rich forest biodiversity will help us to combat the climate crisis, alleviate poverty, support human health and leave the bountiful and beautiful legacy of nature for generations to come."