Bhubaneswar: Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo from the University of Delhi known as the Founder of Cherry Blossom Festivals in India received the Top Sustainability Laureate Award 2023 for his outstanding contributions in the field of Sustainable Development and Climate Change.
The former Director of Manipur based Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development(IBSD), Government of India has been championing the cause of Biodiversity Conservation and Bio-resources Management at the grassroots both in the Himalayan region as well as in the coastal states of India.
Sahoo who was the Founder Director of Centre for Himalayan Studies, started a Cherry Blossom movement in the North East Himalayas which led to successful Cherry Blossom Festivals and inspired the people to protect the fragile ecosystems. His sustained efforts led to planting of nearly 60,000 cherry Blossom trees alone across North Eastern states.
Recently a new cherry blossom plant species Prunus dinabandhuana has been named after him by the scientists. Sahoo , who was the First Indian student to visit Antarctica as well as Arctic said that due to rise in the temperature the ice in both the Antarctic and Arctic regions are melting in a much faster rate which he has seen by himself. He further emphasized that the world is going through a major Biosphere Crisis as well as Climate Crisis.
Therefore,the time has come to join hands and work together for a better planet. Sahoo received the award from India Green Awards for Environment and Sustainability Excellence in a glittering function held at Udaipur in Rajsthan which was inaugurated by former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu and attended by several eminent people.
Industrial houses like TATA, JSW, Larsen & Tubro, Kanpur Metro Project, Bangalore Metro Rail, Ahmedabad Metro Rail etc. received other awards for the best Environmental Practices in different catagories. The awards were given to celebrate inspiring stories of change, honouring individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the well-being of the planet, said Asish Nandan Srivastav the key organizer.
Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo is a Senior Professor at Department of Botany,University of Delhi, Former Vice Chancellor, FM University Odisha, Former Director, Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi. He can be contacted by Mobile 8132953575 Email: dbsahoobotany@gmail.com
