Odisha to create 10 lakh green livelihoods: CM Majhi
Addressing a state-level function celebrating the 76th Van Mahotsav Week here, Majhi said development of a 'Green Odisha' is a key objective under the Vision Document 2036.
'To achieve this goal, the state aims to create one million green livelihoods through community-led forest initiatives and develop Odisha as a model for eco-tourism. Under the 'Green Odisha' initiative, over 100 processing centres will be established for sal, kendu leaves, bamboo and medicinal plants with a target to generate income worth `5,000 crore for the tribal communities,' he said.
The chief minister recalled that the state had last year planted 6.69 crore saplings and secured the fourth position nationwide under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
'It aims to plant 7.5 crore saplings under the programme this year. In a move to combat lightning strikes, the government had planted around 19 lakh palm trees last year and plans to plant 18 lakh more such trees this year too,' Majhi said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
NHAI can build alternative road above Yamuna embankment road: Nitin Gadkari
Noida Travellers from Delhi could directly access the new road without using the already crowded Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, which handles nearly five lakh vehicles daily — with around two lakh entering from DND and others via Chilla border, Kalindi Kunj, and sectors like 15, 16, 18, and 37. (HT Photos) The national highways authority of India (NHAI) is planning to consider a proposal from the Noida authority and Gautam Budh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma to construct an alternative road above Yamuna embankment from Delhi's Kalindi Kunj to Pari Chowk, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday. 'Right now, we are executing projects worth ₹1.2 lakh crore in Delhi-NCR. We have already completed work worth ₹60,000 crore, and today Mahesh ji shared his suggestions, which we will consider. We have no shortage of funds,' Gadkari said, addressing a crowd at the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' event near the Noida International Airport in Jewar. GB Nagar MP Sharma had earlier requested the minister to approve the alternative road, stressing that it is crucial for the airport's full utilisation. He noted that travellers from Delhi could directly access the new road without using the already crowded Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, which handles nearly five lakh vehicles daily — with around two lakh entering from DND and others via Chilla border, Kalindi Kunj, and sectors like 15, 16, 18, and 37. Noida CEO Lokesh M also briefed the minister on the need for this parallel route, highlighting rising traffic, rapid real estate growth, and the airport's expected opening later this year. In March, the Noida authority board gave in-principle approval to the project, proposed along the Yamuna riverbanks.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘When I arrive in Delhi, I start thinking when I will leave': Pollution levels in Delhi reducing life expectancy of people, says Gadkari
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday that pollution levels in Delhi are reducing the life expectancy of the people of the Capital. 'Main Delhi mein do ya teen din rehta hun… jab aata hun toh sochta hun kab waha se jana hai… Mein pehle ticket jane ka nikalta hun… Aap iss ko gambheerta se lo ki Delhi mein jo pradushan hai uss ke karan aam aadmi ka jeewan kam hota ja raha hai… (I stay in Delhi for two or three days only, and when I arrive, I start thinking about when I will leave. I book my return tickets first. You should take this issue seriously. The pollution in Delhi has led to a decrease in the life expectancy of common people),' he said while taking part in a plantation drive, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0', at Faridabad-Noida International Airport Road in Gautam Buddha Nagar. Highlighting the alarming levels of pollution in Delhi, Gadkari said: 'The oxygen level here is very high today, and once the airport (Noida International Airport) is built and more vehicles enter this area, the environment could further deteriorate.' 'Safeguarding (the environment) is our responsibility. We are making aviation fuel and I have taken a vow that when the first flight takes off from here, I will be supplying aviation fuel,' he added. 'When I first became minister, India was ranked 13th or 14th globally in the automobile sector. Today, we have overtaken Japan and hold the third position in the world and the automobile sector contributes Rs 22 lakh crore to the economy,' Gadkari said. He added that while this growth has provided employment to over 4.5 crore youths and generated substantial GST revenue, it also poses a serious environmental challenge. Acknowledging that at 40 per cent, the transport sector is the largest contributor to pollution in the country, he said: 'We are number one in pollution too. Hence, our department is committed to mitigating it through plantation and transplantation efforts.' The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative — a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) campaign — aims to promote environmental consciousness by encouraging tree plantations in honour of one's mother. 'Just as we respect our mothers, we must show the same reverence to Mother Earth. This programme has both cultural and moral significance,' Gadkari said. Speaking about NHAI's efforts to expand green cover, he said: 'NHAI has taken several initiatives for green highways. We have also built a 20-km stretch of crash barrier using bamboo. Now, we do not need permission to fell bamboo… and by planting bamboo, NHAI will earn several crores.' He further said that about 80 lakh tonnes of waste from four Delhi landfills are used for highway construction. 'We have reduced the height of the Ghazipur landfill by 7 m,' he claimed. Gadkari mentioned how Artificial Intelligence was leveraged for the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. He noted that all plants under the campaign will be e-tagged to ensure the long-term care of the trees. 'This will help us to ensure the proper development of a sapling. The world is changing rapidly. If we do not act now, we risk losing the natural life that exists in places like this (Noida). It is our job to protect it,' he added.
Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Business Standard
Community, Commerce and Refreshment: How Coca-Cola India is Enabling Vendors and Reaching Millions in Puri
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], July 8: As Odisha welcomed millions of visitors for Ratha Yatra 2025, Coca-Cola India, in partnership with its bottling operations, ensured access to refreshment and hydration for those attending one of India's largest cultural festivals. The company's on-ground presence made chilled beverages easily accessible across Puri, while supporting the local economy. To make this possible, the company ensured availability of beverages through a strong retail and distribution network across the city of Puri. Along with hydration points, kiosks and mobile units deployed across Puri, the company leveraged its expansive retail and bottling network to ensure economic empowerment for the local partners as well. Aligned with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's vision, this effort reflects Coca-Cola India's broader strategy to strengthen last-mile retail, enable economic opportunity at the grassroots level, and reinforce its presence during high-footfall cultural moments. The carts were managed by local vendors, including women entrepreneurs, creating direct income opportunities during the festival. By equipping retail outlets and prime hotspots with coolers, Coca-Cola India supported small businesses and ensured widespread access to chilled beverages throughout the celebrations. Vinay Nair, Vice President, Franchise Operations, Developing Markets, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said, "Our engagement in Puri reflects Coca-Cola India's focus on hydration with purpose. By enabling product availability at scale and creating livelihood opportunities for local vendors and women entrepreneurs, we are creating a positive socio-economic impact in the region. This has been possible through the strength of our bottling network, our distributor partners, retail customers and the unwavering commitment of our dedicated teams on ground." Prasanna Borah, Commercial Cluster Head, Odisha, AP, Telangana, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, said, "Coca-Cola's strategy of enabling local entrepreneurship is translating into tangible impact across Odisha. Through our strong retail reach and execution on-ground, we're not just delivering beverages, we're delivering opportunity, and growth. It is a model of execution that builds both commerce and community." Coca-Cola India continues to train and equip local vendors and women entrepreneurs to manage retail outlets through its Superpower Retailer programme, turning seasonal footfall into long-term economic stability. Gayatri Senapati, a local retailer, said, "I've been selling Coca-Cola products for over 11 years. During Ratha Yatra, lots of people visit and everyone wants something cold. We stock up on Kinley, Thums Up, Sprite, Coca-Cola, and Minute Maid. Our display attracts people and makes us feel proud." Rajesh Kumar Rana, owner, Nrusingha Sweets shop in Puri, said, "We've been running this shop for over 25 years, and Coca-Cola has become a big part of our journey. With so many festivals, people come here throughout the year. Ours is a traditional sweet shop where we also keep chilled beverages like Coca-Cola, Sprite, Thums Up and water. Whatever visitors need, we make sure it's there." Ajay Shah, a local distributor, said, "We've been working with Coca-Cola since 2002. Back then, business was slow, but we knew it would pick up in the future, and it did. Today, we are going really strong. We run six trucks, and during festivals like Ratha Yatra, things really take off for us." Anchored in the company's business with purpose approach, Anandana (The Coca-Cola India Foundation) and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) had launched the PET Waste Clean-up Drive initiative to help manage plastic waste during the festival. As part of the Maidaan Saaf campaign, the effort led to reducing plastic litter with city-wide collection and public engagement, through beach cleanups, plog runs and awareness drives. For further information, please visit About Coca-Cola India Coca-Cola in India is one of the country's leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of 'Beverages For Life', offers a wide portfolio of products, which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy-based products. In India, its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Thums Up XForce, Charged, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Kinley Soda, Rim Zim, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and Honest Tea. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca GlucoCharge, Smartwater, Kinley, Kinley Copper, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water. Premium products constitute Schweppes' range and Smartwater. In addition, it offers a Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. The Company, along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 5 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people's lives, communities and the planet through water and packaging initiatives, sustainable agriculture and emission reductions across its value chain. Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Photo: Logo:
