Bhubaneswar: The third edition of the 'Punascha Pruthibi' campaign, an initiative by Eastern Media Limited to create awareness about environmental protection and climate change, will begin on October 2. Ahead of the event, Bison, the campaign’s mascot, was unveiled on Monday at the Aama Odisha office in Bhubaneswar.

Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia unveiled the mascot at a special event held at the Aama Odisha office.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said 'Sambad' has taken an important step towards environmental protection through its Climate Panchayat programmes organised at the Assembly constituency level.

He welcomed the decision to make bison the mascot of 'Punascha Pruthibi', saying it would draw attention to wildlife conservation. According to the minister, the bison population in Odisha has been declining gradually. The highest number of bison, more than 885, are found in Debrigarh, while the species is also present in the forests of Similipal, Nayagada and Satkosia, he said.

The minister stressed that economic development alone is not enough and protecting nature is equally important. He called for development to go hand in hand with environmental conservation. He also opined that awareness must be created among people, particularly at the grassroots level.

Eastern Media Limited Chairman and Managing Director Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said a new chapter has been added to the 'Punascha Pruthibi' campaign that was launched three years ago.

He said wildlife is an integral part of environmental conservation and hoped that selecting bison as the mascot would become a significant step towards its protection, conservation and population growth.

'Sambad' and 'Kanak News' Editor Tanaya Patnaik said the third edition of 'Punascha Pruthibi' will begin on October 2 at Utkal University and continue for three days. More than 60 speakers will participate in the conference.

An innovative session like Environment Assembly will also be introduced during this edition, she said.

The campaign will not remain confined to Bhubaneswar, she said, adding that programmes are also being organised in Bhitarkanika, Debrigarh, Similipal and Berhampur to connect people across different parts of Odisha with the environmental initiative.

She urged people to join the campaign and contribute to efforts aimed at protecting the environment and wildlife.