BACKGROUND
Odisha Environment Congress (OEC) will hold its 14th edition, on 22nd and 23 rd December 2023, at Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH) Bhubaneswar. Started in 2010 as an annual scientific and civil society event on environment, OEC has been providing a unique opportunity to academicians, researchers, scientists, planners, policy makers, students, practitioners, community members and civil society organizations of the state and outside for learning, interaction and dissemination of knowledge on different themes around environment. It also provides scope for publication of theme-specific and research-based articles in the proceedings which is released during the main event, besides providing an opportunity for the professionals to present their articles in various technical sessions. The themes of the previous successive editions were Environment and Water Resources (2010), Environment and Forest (2011), Environment and Energy (2012), Environment and Agriculture (2013), Environment and Climate Change (2014), Environment: Health and Nutrition (2015), Environment: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (2016), Environment and Sustainable River Basin Management (2016), ,Environment and Gandhi (1017), Environment and Mining (2018), Environment and Biodiversity (2019) Environment and Pandemic (2019) and Environment and Tribes (2022). For the forthcoming 14th OEC the theme has been decided by the organizing committee as ‘Environment and Urbanization’.
OBJECTIVES OF OEC:
- To provide a platform for interaction among the researchers, policy makers, leading experts, social activists in the field of Environment, so that they come up with innovative and creative ideas to address key environmental challenges.
- To enhance the networking among various research organizations, academic institutions, and government and nongovernment organizations working in the field of Environment.
- To generate specific knowledge base on Environment and its relationship with human beings among stakeholders.
- To provide a community – scientific group interface for better understanding of environmental issues and how to overcome them.
THEME OF 14TH OEC: ‘ENVIRONMENT AND URBANIZATION’
The irreversible transformations happening in the landscapes and many fold impacts on the environment of the cities and towns sequel to massive urbanization across the globe have been the cause of concern at the present juncture. While the degree of urbanization worldwide was 57% in 2022, it is projected that by 2050, 68% of global population will come under urban areas. Though the rate remains higher in more-developed nations than the less-developed ones, the urban populations in the later countries are currently growing faster than the former nations. Mega Cities with more than 10 million populations are on the rise with Delhi being projected of having the prospects of surpassing Tokyo to become the most populous city in the world around 2028. There has been deterioration in the quality of urban environment duo to cumulative pollution of all sorts; decline in greenery and tree density resulting in loss of urban biodiversity; disappearing water bodies; traffic congestion gaining momentum; air pollution, especially emission of greenhouse gases, and waste disposal putting a serious challenge; sustainability of urban resources losing foothold; and above all, global warming and climate change having the disastrous impacts such as heat island effect, heat waves and flash floods. Several highly productive, lively natural ecosystems perish as urban habitats are ensconced in their places and the services they render to the living organisms also vanish. As urban sprawls expand and land-use patterns change, the hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles of the region are modified by the land conversion and infrastructure development initiatives. In the course of time, the environmental challenges posed by urbanization are exacerbating and the vulnerability of urban dwellers to such stresses of serious concern is exasperating.
At this juncture, we are in need of smart but green cities that cater to the needs of the people and focus on the issues of the vulnerable groups; simultaneously combat pollution, protect the ecological sensitivity, maintain the quality of urban environment and enhance the liveability of these habitations. In this context, implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals by forging a new framework with integrated policies on sustainability holds a lot of promise to bring about lasting solutions to the escalating urban challenges, health issues and quality of life.
The OEC is going to discuss, deliberate and come up with workable solutions to meet up the above challenges during its 14th Annual Session on the theme, “Environment and Urbanization”. The organizing committee of OEC invites research-based papers/articles from researchers, academicians, scientists, activists, practitioners, etc. on the following sub-themes, which will be published in the form of a Conference Proceedings and will be released during the inauguration of the annual event on 22nd December, 2023.
SUB-THEMES:
a) Urban habitat, landscape and infrastructure
b) Urban water resources management and climate change
c) Urban housing and transportation
d) Urban forests, biodiversity and agriculture
e) Urban pollution and waste management
f) Urban policy, governance and sustainability
g) Urban lifestyle and liveability
NB: The above Sub-Themes are not exclusive. The authors are free to contribute articles/papers on topics other than the given sub-themes, but within the ambit of main theme viz; ‘Environment and Urbanization’ with focus on Odisha. The Papers/Articles should not exceed 6 pages (Around 3000 words) in A4 size papers typed in 12 fonts of Times New Roman.
Key Activities of OEC 2023
Publication of Proceedings:
Proceedings of Odisha Environment Congress 2023 will be published and released by the Chief Guest on the 1st day during the inauguration of the main event of OEC on 22nd December 2023. The proceeding will contain Keynote address, invited papers from experts and papers from researchers, practitioners, activists and academicians etc. The selected articles by the contributors will be presented during the OEC.
Dr. Ajay Kumar Parida Young Scientists Award:
Papers from young researchers (age 35 and below) will be considered for inclusion in the Young Scientist Award session. In case of multiple authorships, the first author will be considered for the award and he/she shall present the paper. Interested author (s) shall also have to give an undertaking that the work has not been presented elsewhere or has not been submitted for publication/award. The Young Scientist Award will consist of a cash prize, memento and certificate of excellence.The Young Scientist Award is named after Late Padma Shri Dr. Ajay Kumar Parida Former Director, ILS, who was adviser of Odisha Environment Congress (OEC).
S. B. Mishra Green Corporate Award:
Nominations from Corporate Bodies or Foundations of Corporate Bodies, having visible contribution in the area of Environmental Protection and Management will be sought for consideration for the S B Mishra Green Corporate Award for the year 2023. Late Sri Sudhanshu Mishra (IAS) Former Chief Secretary of Odisha was the Advisor of OEC since it’s inception. The nomination will be scrutinized by a jury for decision. The winner will be provided with certificate, memento and crown as a token of recognition.
Prof Radhamohan Green Ambassador Award:
Nominations from credible NGOs/Civil society members, academicians, experts, activists, etc. with a remarkable contribution in the area of Environmental Protection and Management will be sought for consideration for the Green Ambassador Award for the year 2023. The nomination will be scrutinized by a jury for confering the Award. The winners will be awarded with certificate memento, crown and cash prize. The Green Ambassador Award is named after late Padma Shri Prof. Radhamohan who was a pioneer of the environmental movement and was the advisor of OEC since its inception.
Children’s Environment Congress
OEC organizes various activities/ competitions on the theme related to environment among school and college students across the State under Children’s Environment Congress with the aim of creating more awareness in the minds of children and the youth. Various activities like painting, debate, essay writing, story writing, e-poster designing, etc. are organized on the theme to engage young minds.
The Organisers
- HDF-cDAR, Bhubaneswar
- Center for Environment and Development (CED), Thiruvananthapuram
- Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH), Bhubaneswar
- Orissa Environmental Society (OES), Bhubaneswar
- Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) University, Bhubaneswar
Organizing Committee of OEC 2022
For Further Details, Please Contacts
OEC Secretariat
HDF-cDAR
Plot No: A/337, Ground Floor, Gajapati Nagar,
Bhubaneswar-751005, Dist-Khurdha, Odisha, India
Ph: 0674-2301019,
Email: odishaenvironmentcongress@gmail.com
URL: www.hdf.org.in
