Latest news with #OFDC
Time of India
13 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
OFDC faces flak over afforestation, blames funding gaps
Koraput: Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC), Jeypore division, is facing criticism over its compensatory afforestation drive, with data revealing a glaring gap between trees felled for infrastructure projects and those replanted. Between 2015 and 2025, over 30,348 trees were felled for widening National Highways and PWD roads across the Jeypore and Malkangiri forest divisions. But OFDC planted only 33,585 saplings — well short of the mandated 60,696, which is double the number of trees cut. Major felling included 10,285 trees for PWD roads, 9,195 for the NH-326 stretch, and 10,701 under the Bharatmala project. Despite receiving over Rs 10.56 crore from govt departments for tree felling and transportation, replantation and post-plantation care mandated under compensatory afforestation norms appear grossly inadequate, sources alleged. OFDC divisional manager Soubhagya Anand acknowledged the shortfall, stating that many departments had failed to deposit the required funds for plantation. "We are continuously following up. Recently, the PWD Jeypore division deposited funds for 10,000 saplings, and plantation work will begin shortly," Anand said. He added that the divisional forest office (DFO) is responsible for inspecting compensatory plantations and that the issue has been formally communicated to the concerned DFO. Jeypore DFO Pratap Kumar Behara confirmed that departments are required to deposit funds both for felling and compensatory plantation. "Strict instructions are in place to ensure plantation funds are secured before any felling begins," Behara said. Environmentalists warn that the govt's inadequate response is undermining efforts to restore green cover lost to infrastructure development. "It is unfortunate that century-old trees are being felled for road expansion, but no adequate compensation is being made. This has a direct negative impact on the region's climate," said Bidyut Mohanty, a Koraput-based environmentalist.
Cision Canada
30-04-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
Canada Post Community Foundation's new fundraising stamp stands tall for Canada's children and youth
100 per cent of funds raised provide grants to schools, charities and community organizations across Canada OTTAWA, ON, April 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Post has issued a new Community Foundation stamp as part of its annual fundraising campaign to support community programs for Canadian children and youth. The stamp features a charming illustration of giraffes caring for their young, highlighting the importance of giving every child the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and enriching environment. The Community Foundation distributes grants to local and national non-profit groups that offer programming for children and youth across Canada. Since 2012, it has awarded $14.8 million to more than 1,300 community projects in every province and territory. Grants from the Foundation are funded through customer donations in post offices, employee contributions and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the stamp and postcard. Every dollar raised provides grants to schools, charities and community organizations that make a difference in the lives of children and youth (up to age 21). About the stamp Designed by Paprika and illustrated by Anne-Julie Dudemaine, the 2025 Community Foundation stamp artwork features playful and original typography that was created specifically for this stamp issue. The design was selected by Canada Post employees and signifies what the Foundation wants childhood to be for every child: lighthearted and carefree. The stamp, Official First Day Cover – cancelled in Ottawa – and colourful postage-paid postcard are available at post offices and online at A $1 surcharge from the sale of each booklet of 10 stamps, or an extra 10 cents from the sale of each OFDC and postcard, goes straight to the Foundation. About the Foundation A registered charity, the Canada Post Community Foundation's mission is to improve the lives of Canadian children and youth. Through its grassroots, community-based approach, the Foundation plays a key role in helping Canada Post achieve its purpose, A Stronger Canada – Delivered. Supporting initiatives that benefit children and youth helps strengthen communities for all Canadians. To donate to the Community Foundation, purchase a booklet of stamps at a local post office or visit For links to images of the stamp and other resources:
New Indian Express
28-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Odisha's NH-320 widening hit by delay in utility shifting, felling of trees
ROURKELA: Delay in utility shifting and felling of trees between Jaraikela and Bondamunda has slowed down the widening work on the newly-declared National Highway-320 in Sundargarh district. The National Highway Division (NHD) received around 80 per cent of land after removing acquisition hurdles on major portion of the 25.450 km NH stretch from Jareikala in Bisra block to the stockyard of RSP at Bondamunda. Widening work on a stretch of 22.077 km started in October last year while the remaining 3.373 km patch was de-scoped from the project due to alignment objection at Bisra town and land issue for a road over-bridge (ROB) at Mahipani. Sources said around Rs 11 crore was deposited with Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPWODL) for shifting of electrical utilities. Similarly, Rs 3 crore was deposited with the Forest department for felling of 1,723 trees and compensatory afforestation. So far, no effort has been made to shift electricity poles and overhead wires, while the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) is yet to cut down 167 of the total 1,723 trees falling on the project alignment. Besides, trunks of over 100 felled trees up to 10 feet height are yet to be removed at different places, thereby affecting the widening work. OFDC blamed the TPWODL contractor for the delay in tree felling. District manager of OFDC Biswajit Rout said there has been a delay in felling of the remaining trees and removal of trunks due to non-shifting of electricity poles as the overhead wires pass through these trees. After a joint verification, the electricity contractor has sought one-week time to shift the poles. Executive engineer of NHD Narayan Behera said Rs 11 crore was deposited with the discom as per the initial estimate of replacing the existing electrical poles with MS posts. Subsequently, there was a direction to use chromium-tainted MS poles which delayed the shifting of poles. 'At a recent meeting with TPWODL authorities at Bhubaneswar, it was categorically told that no change in agreement would be entertained. The utility shifting work would start soon,' Behera said. Sources said a cloud of uncertainty also shrouds the remaining stretch of around 12 km from Bondamunda to the connecting point of the NH-320 D to NH-143 at Hockey square as the RSP is refusing to part with its ring road. There is also land issue for the ROB at Mahipani. Behera said two proposals to divert the alignment from Bondamunda to Katin chowk and a nearby point to connect NH-143 are under consideration. The NH widening project is being executed in patches under engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode with completion target of October 13, 2026. To cause minimum disruption, the project width has been reduced to 15 metre including 10 metre bitumen carriage way and the rest for paved shoulders on both sides.
