Bhubaneswar: With climate change posing an increasing threat to the planet, experts have underscored the urgent need to build a climate-resilient and environmentally conscious society.
The Science for Common People Society (SCOPES), in collaboration with SOA University, SNM Group, IMA Bhubaneswar, and IFFCO-Paradeep Unit, has initiated a series of lectures on Climate, Environment, and Sustainable Society to promote awareness and scientific understanding of environmental challenges.
As part of this initiative, a Memorial Lecture was held on Monday at ITER, SOA University, in memory of Late Prof. Manas Ranjan Das, former Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at SOA, who passed away on April 11, 2022. Prof. Das was widely regarded as a dedicated teacher and researcher who played a key role in organizing several national and international conferences on climate change and the environment.
Delivering the keynote address on “Climate Change and Human Health,” Dr. Debi Prasad Tripathy, Gastroenterologist and Professor at the North Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University, Canada, highlighted that climate change is already leading to serious health challenges. “Heat stress is affecting the cardiovascular and mental health of people, while vector-borne diseases are rising rapidly due to changing seasonal patterns,” he noted.
Saumendra Kumar Priyadarshi, ADG of Police, Odisha, attended as the Chief Guest and recalled Prof. Das’s contribution toward fostering scientific curiosity among students. He urged students to “seek the simple science behind complex environmental issues” and cited eco-friendly construction initiatives adopted by the Odisha Police Housing projects.
Dr. Nihar Ranjan Sahoo, Chief Environmental Engineer, State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Odisha, who joined as Guest of Honour, spoke on the growing concern of air pollution in Odisha’s urban areas.
The session was chaired by Prof. P. K. Nanda, Vice Chancellor of SOA University, who emphasized the importance of such academic gatherings in promoting environmental awareness and collective responsibility toward nature conservation.
Prof. U. C. Mohanty, President of SCOPES, warned that global temperatures could rise by up to six degrees Celsius by the end of the century, leading to severe consequences for human health.
The event began with a welcome address by Dr. Satya Ranjan Das, Deputy Controller of SOA University, followed by remarks from Prof. Bidyadhar Basa, Head of the Civil Engineering Department, who reflected on Prof. Das’s academic contributions. Dr. Nihar Das, Secretary of SCOPES, and Dr. Akshya Verma, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, conducted the technical session, while Er. Ajay Mahakud delivered the vote of thanks.
Eminent academicians and scientists including Prof. Hrusikesh Mishra (IIT Bhubaneswar), Prof. G. K. Panda (KISS), Prof. P. K. Mohanty (former VC, DDU), Dr. Ajit Kumar Samal (Ex-Addl. Director, RWSS), Dr. Dillip Swain (IIT Kharagpur), Dr. Debadutta Swain (IIT Bhubaneswar), Prof. Manjula Das, Prof. Renu Sharma, and Dr. Mithun Karmakar (Health Department) were among those present.
