Returnee migrant workers of west and South Odisha preparing themselves for remigration ;by Sudhir Mishra Bolangir

 18th December2020

 

  By  

Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir 

Bolangir 

Returnee migrant workers of west and South Odisha preparing themselves for remigration reveals a study by Aide et Action and shared on the status of returnee migrant workers in 9 districts covering Western and Southern parts of Odisha On International Migrants day, Aide et Action and its partner organisations shared an assessment on the status of returnee migrant workers in 9 districts covering Western and Southern parts of Odisha. through a webinar held on Friday

 

 The assessment covered 831 returnee migrant workers out of which 28 % were female.

 It was observed that migrants from western Odisha are between 25 years to 44 years of age while in South Odisha the migrants are in the age group of 15 to 34 years. South Odisha migration is young adults dominated one,while Western Odisha is middle age dominated.

 In Southern Odisha districts, most of the migrants were engaged in Building construction, basically people from Gajapati (52%) & Koraput (43%) districts. Also there is good number of people  from Ganjam (26%) and Gajapati  (12%) district were engaged in Garment Factories.

  While in Western Odisha districts migration sector are Brick kilns followed by Building construction . The favoured destination are Andhra Pradesh Telengana, Tamilnadu  and Gujarat. Migrants said they faced several kind of problems like, food availability, lack of Transportation, lack of health facility, issue of shelter homes, issue wage payment etc. while coming back to their village.

 

The South Odisha migrants mostly faced the Social discrimination. Around 75 % of the returnee migrants received PDS items under TPDS, and 31% were engaged in MGNREGS work in their locality. Around 9.52% returnee migrants reported that their children were enrolled ICDS and 4.76% in MDM. Also 22% got financial support from the Govt., where as in total 23.55% of returnee migrants has not received any support from the Govt. Currently most of the migrants are engaged in Agriculture. Around 53% of said that they are planning for remigration in western Odisha  while in south Odisha it is 60%. 75% of the workers will remigrate as there is no sustainable livelihood opportunity at their villages or nearby. The migrant workers are in touch with their previous employers and fellow workers for remigration. Most of the migration is happening for short period which can be seasonal we can say and that is for 6-8 months only.

Migrant workers across the districts Dhaneswar Podh, OMBLA, Bargarh, Samira Bagarti, Construction worker, Tureikela, Balangir, Parthaba Nag, brick kiln migrants, Komna, Nuapada, Bhagabana Jena, Talasara, Ganjam, Rajesh Pradhan, Purtamaha, Kandhamal, Padma Bhoi, Gurunda, Muribahal, Balangirshared their experiences of migration and their present condition. They also shared that due to non availability of wage employment and delay payment in MGNREGA pushing them to migrate outside of the state to earn some livelihood for the family living.

 

Among the civil society organisations who were part of the study in concern districts; Ananga Negi from RARE, Ashok Pattanaik from Kartabya, Satya Pattanaik from Sebajagat, Kailash Dandpata from JAGRUTI, Lokanath Mishra from ARUNA, Prasant Nayak from PAP and Rudra Pattanaik from PARDA shared their experience and status of migrant workers in their respective districts.

 

Facilitating the webinar Mr Umi Daniel, Director Migration & Education of Aide et Action South Asia opined that looking the migration and issues of migrant workers the government should think of setting up a new department to handle the migration issue. He also emphasised on the interstate collaboration and coordination for safe and informed migration.

Participating the webinar 55 representatives from civil society organisations, academic researchers, media and UN agencies shared way forward to the meeting.

The migrants covered in the study will be followed up for next 1 year to capture the impact and coping pattern including their access to different govt. entitlements, said Umi Daniel.

Ancient stone blocks found in Suktel riverbed

 

Ancient stone blocks found in Suktel riverbed

Wednesday, 11 November 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

Much to the delight of locals, ancient slabs of stones were found while digging the bed of river Suktel at village Chelbahal in Loisingha block, 25 km from here, around two days ago.

The site was given for lease for sand mining. While digging the riverbed for sand, the stone blocks were discovered.River Suktel in ancient time was known as river Suktimati and had flourishing towns and villages with brisk trade and commerce activities. Local saying goes that there was a Shiva temple in this area; and people have heard it from their forefathers that the temple belonged to around 800-1200 AD. More historical research is expected to shed further light on the stone findings.

================================================

Ancient stones discovered beneath river bed

November 10, 2020 By Sudhir Mishra Leave a Comment

Bolangir, Nov 10 (LocalWire): Much to the delight of locals, ancient stone slabs were found while digging the bed of the River Suktel in Chelbahal village in Loisingha Block almost 25 kms from here, around two days ago.

The site had been leased for sand mining. While digging the bed of the river Suktel for sand, the stone blocks were found.

River Suktel, in ancient times, was known as river Suktimati and had flourishing towns, village life, trade and commerce.

Locals say that there was a Shiva temple dating back to 800-1200 AD in the area.

A more historical research would reveal further about these findings.

No Child should sleep under open Sky ; OSCPCR.

 

No Child should sleep under open Sky ; OSCPCR.

++++++++++++++

By

Sudhir Mishra 

Bolangir: 

19thNovember2020

++++++++++++

The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights( OSCPCR) has issued letters/directed all the district collectors of the state to ensure that no child should sleep under the open sky.

 

The homeless children along with parents are sleeping under the sky in chilling atmosphere,in many urban areas ,which is a matter of concern,for the safety and security of children ,increasing the risk of getting  Covid19,in the winter,points out the letter written by Chairperson of OSCPCR Sandhyabati Pradhan,on 18th November 2020

 

 A special awareness drive for identification of such vulnerable children ,their family members be identified and dedicated campaign be launched, so that no child should sleep under the open sky,points out the letter.

 

 Moreover, a dedicated telephone and WhatsApp number be announced so that people can lodge a complaint and the complaints must be addressed/look into within half an hour.

 

 The vulnerable children names and other details should be kept in a register,so that those vulnerable children could be provided other basic amenities and ensuring their safety

=============================================

Huge white balloon fell in Saan Dangar village in Bolangir; Raised curiosity and panic among people

By

Sudhir Mishra /Bolangir

13th September 2020

 Bolangir; Much to the surprise of SaanDangar gaon,a village located 60km away from here in remote Gudvela block ,a balloon fell from sky in the paddy field on Saturday morning which created curiosity and panic among people.

 

The balloon had a circuit and battery. However as people gathered, somebody took away the battery.

But the points which created curiosity and remain unanswered were1) Who and why would float a balloon and for what purpose. As it had a circuit and battery ,it appears that ,its movement might have  been controlled by remote somebody.

 

 But  for what purpose? To study the atmospheric pressure/ changes?

And from where it was sent and it was going to?

Interestingly, over the area there is an air passage route and every night one can see aero plane moving in the sky. More curious point is this area located in the junction of three districts namely, Bolangir,Boudh and Kalahandi.

  The balloon which was flying in high altitude fell most likely due to malfunctioning. But from where the balloon was launched and when is not known. How it fell here? Due  to technical problem or others? Till today no clear report has come out and the suspense continues over the fallen white balloon

 According to reports, five decades ago such a balloon had fallen in Mohangiri area of Kalhandi district

 Tusura police has seized the balloon and looking into the incident.

 A thorough investigation is required  into the incident to unravel the truth

 ======================================================================

Pangolin Rescued in Bolangir ;1st September2020

 

Conserving tiger corridors a key step' Tuesday, 01 September 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR SHARE

 

News in English Daily  The Pioneer

Conserving tiger corridors a key step'

Tuesday, 01 September 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

• SHARE

• 
• 
• 

• TT
• TT
• 
• 

• 0
  
• 

Corridor conservation requires much attention for tiger conservation in India and at the same time  transborder conservation especially with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh should also get priority, observed former  Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Anup Nayak at a Webinar.

The discussion was on future of tiger conservation in India, organised by Stripes and Green Earth [SAGE] Foundation, Kolkata on Sunday evening and attended by conservationist, wildlife enthusiasts, researchers from Bangladesh, Kenya, Canada and from different parts of India including West Bengal, Odisha, Rajasthan  and Madhya Pradesh 

Nayak also said about importance of conservation of  30 per cent tigers outside protected areas which is key a step in tiger conservation by Involving local people, NGOs etc.

A few years ago, an amendment on NTCA protocol was made on hiring private hunters/shooters to eliminate problematic tigers.

A study is going on this issue, replied Nayak to a question by  Dr Jaswinder Sandhu From Canada on rewinding white tigers and saving their gene pools.

Leopard pugmarks detected in Balangir Wednesday, 12 August 2020

 Leopard pugmarks detected in Balangir

Wednesday, 12 August 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

Much to the delight of wildlife lovers here, leopard pugmarks in two spots were detected in Balangir forest by a team of wildlife enthusiasts including Arindam Parischha, Subhranshu Mishra, Sushant Das and journalist Sudhir Mishra on Monday morning.

"This is the pugmark of a male leopard. It is barely 3 to 4 days old. From the hind pugmark, it is evident that it is well built and around 6 to 7 years' old," said Lecturer in Zoology Arindam Parischha, adding that there was need of conservation of the leopards in Balangir forests.

Besides this we also noticed the footprints of herbivores like deer and others. The presence of herbivore animals like barking deer and leopard shows the biodiversity of Balangir forest is good and it needs protection and conservation, says wildlife enthusiastic Subhranshu.

"Even as a gate was installed on the forest road to protect the wildlife abuse and pollution in the forest, the gate was damaged. While the forest and biodiversity is thriving, this type of interference is very bad and it should be stopped; otherwise we have to pay a heavy price in future," said Parischha.

Since May 2019, pugmarks of leopard have been noticed in different spots of Balangir forests, including of a leopard cub.

==================================================

 

Leopard pugmark detected in Bolangir forest again.SudhirMishra Bolangir 10th August 2020.

 

Leopard pugmark detected in Bolangir forest again.

By

SudhirMishra Bolangir

10th August 2020.

=================================================

Bolangir; Much to the delight of wildlife lovers here, leopard  pugmarks in two spots were detected in Bolangir forest by a team of wildlife enthusiasticwhich includes Arindam Parischha, Subhranshu Mishra, Sushant Das and journalist SudhirMishra today morning

This is the pugmark of a male leopard.It is barely 3to 4 days old.From the hind pugmark it is evident that it is well built and  around 6to 7 years old. says Arindam Parischha, lecture in Zoology

 In Bolangir if you talk  about leopard population people would  ordnance factory area Badmal in Bolangir district.But in Bolangir forest there are leopard.We need to protect and  conserve it says Parischha, further.

Besides this we also noticed the footprints of herbivores like deer and others.The presence of herbivores animal like barking deer (locally called KUTURA)) and Leopard, shows the biodiversity of Bolangir forest is good and its needs protection and Conservation says Subhranshu a wildlife enthusiastic

Even as a gate was installed on the forest road to check the further abuse and pollution in the forest,the gate was opened/damaged.

 With gates open it is free for all and animals are grazing inside it and people are taking morning walk thereThis is disturbing. We should protect our biodiversity, wild animals in Bolangir range.While the forest and biodiversity is thriving,this type of interference is very bad and it should be stopped otherwise we have to pay a heavy price in future says  Parischha further. 

 SinceMay  2019  pugmark of leopard has been noticed in different spots of Bolangir forest  including of  a leopard Cub.A detailed study required to understand the flora, fauna and wildlife of Bolangir forest, opines journalist SudhirMishra.

Bolangir forest should be protected and Conservation measures be undertaken for the wildlife here and the detection of pugmark is a good sign,says SushantDas.

==================================================

 

Balangir: 12 CRPF men Covid +ve

Balangir: 12 CRPF men Covid +ve

Tuesday, 04 August 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

The Covid-19 scenario is getting worse in Balangir with each passing day.

As many as 51 people were diagnosed as positive on Monday and the cases were mostly from the municipality area and periphery villages and from local contact sources.

Significantly, 12 CRPF jawans were diagnosed as Covid-positive besides two Covid warriors on the day.

So far, the number of Covid cases in the district has risen to 514 with 208 active ones. A total of 306 patients have recovered.

However, the total number of beds at the Balangir Covid Hospital is only 200.

=============================================================

Habitat Conservation and Management is required for Tiger Conservation in India.

++++++++++++===========================By

Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Bolangir: Protection of existing corridors and adding new corridors with active participation of local people is required more for better tiger conservation in India. This was pointed out by speakers in a webinar discussion held on Habitat and Corridor management  for future conservation of Tiger in India held on 29thJuly ,by Strips and Green earth foundation Kolkata,on International Day for Tigers.

 Among others, Scientist at Wildlife Institute India,Dr Bilal Habib,: Managing director for India for Wild Congress and founder of COCOCON conservation Concept,Sri Sunil Mehta; Regional Director,East WCCB Sri Agni Mitra and Sri Arindum Parischha, lecture in Zoology, and Conservationist  expressed their view in the webinar discussion.

 Protection of the existing corridors and adding new corridors  with participation of local people and ensuring alternate livelihoods for them  is required  to involve them effectively in tiger conservation.In Tadoba Tiger reserve The Coocon conservancy  and with that the alternate generation f livelihood along with developing a tourism model where in  the resrt is built  on land of locals and erun by localsand profits shred with them  has been a successful one  pointed out Sunil Mehta  Member Rajsthan wildlife board .

Corbett and Tadoba tiger reserves are producing around 80 tigers every year are like Tiger Banks. While around 30 Tigers are Coming out from Tadoba Reserves ,around 50 Tigers are coming out from Corbett Tiger Reserve .If We protect them properly ,the number of Tigers would increase significantly. Observed Dr Bilal Habib.

In last five years, around  500 cores rupees  were given as compensation in human tiger conflicts .This amount could spent on tiger conservation. Rather than relocation of Tiger in other areas, Dr Bilal Habib stressed the need for “maintaining grassland and herbivores” and habitat connectivity for better conservation of Tigers. And this should be done with more involvement of local for better Tiger conservation, opines Dr Bilal Habib further.

Supporting the view that local should be involved in Tiger conservation ,Sri Agni Mitra stressed the need for development of new habitat for Tigers. Moreover Tiger reserves in North east should be maintained properly and be developed as an " ideal habitat".

 The report of long distance migration of Tigers from central India, indicates thatProject Tiger area is overcrowded. Tiger moving out from their area in search of new territory .The behavioral changes in Tiger needs to be observed thoroughly, Observed Sri Arindum Parischha speaking on this occasion.

The speakers stressed that corridors are very important  for the future Tiger conservation  in India and the need of hours is to protect and each and every tiger.

====================================================================

Odia scientist-led team develops tech for producing biofuel Saturday, 11 July 2020 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

Odia scientist-led team develops tech for producing biofuel

Saturday, 11 July 2020 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

The present scenario calls for production of biofuels using green technology.  The term biofuel is referred to as liquid or gaseous fuels that are predominantly produced from biomass. Biofuels are important because they can replace petroleum based fuels.

Biofuels are generally considered as offering many priorities, including sustainability, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, regional development, social structure and agriculture, and security of energy supply, says Dr Sanjib Kumar Karmee, Principal Scientist and Head of Thermo-Chemical Conversion Division Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute Anand,Gujarat.

In the above context, biomass, in particular forestry (sawdust) and agricultural wastes, are best sources to meet the energy demands of the future as it is not only renewable but also environmentally friendly ,says Dr Karmee further.

The energy obtained from biomass is used mainly for heat production, electricity, and as liquid fuels for vehicles. Various advanced technologies have been developed to obtain biofuels and chemicals from biomass, which include the hydrothermal process, pyrolysis and combustion.

Pyrolysis of biomass is one of the most efficient technologies used to produce biofuels. The process is carried out at elevated temperatures under an inert atmosphere which is maintained using either argon or nitrogen gases. The process generates bio-oil, biochar (solid), and pyro-gas (gaseous products), explains Dr Karmee further.

To conduct pyrolysis experiments the Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute has designed and developed a new pyrolysis plant to produce biofuels from saw-dust and agro residues. A team led by Odia Scientist Dr  Karmee  has demonstrated that biomass can be successfully converted into biofuels using both batch and pilot scale system. The newly developed pilot system has important industrial significance since it can operate at 15 kg/hr scale. The results of these experiments are published in the Fuel journal (Elsevier), informs Dr Karmee further.

 ==============================================================

Team led by Odia scientist makes plant to produce biofuel

Team led by Odia scientist makes plant to produce biofuel

July 8, 2020 By Sudhir Mishra.

Bolangir, July 8 (LocalWire): A scientific team in Gujarat led by an Odia scientist Dr Sanjib Kumar Karmee has now developed a machine which can produce fuels from biomass.

The plant was designed by the team at the Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute, Anand (Gujarat).

The plant has the capability to conduct pyrolysis of sawdust and agro residues to produce biofuels.

Karmee works at the Thermo-Chemical Conversation Division of the institute.

The scientific team has demonstrated that biomass can be successfully converted into biofuels using both batch and pilot-scale systems.

“The newly developed pilot system has important industrial significance since it can operate at a pace of 15 kg/hr scale. The results of these experiments are published in the Fuel journal (Elsevier),” said Dr Sanjiv Kumar Karmee further.

Pyrolysis of biomass is one of the most efficient technologies used to produce biofuels.

The process is carried out at elevated temperatures under an inert atmosphere which is maintained using either argon or nitrogen gases.

The process generates bio-oil, biochar (solid), and pyro-gas (gaseous products), explained Dr Karmee.

 ==========================================================

Narasingha urges people to plant trees

Narasingha urges people to plant trees

Wednesday, 08 July 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

Local MLA and Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra on Tuesday called upon people to plant more trees to protect environment and meet climate change challenges.

He was speaking at a Bana Mahotsav at Khamarmunda organised by the Balangir Forest Range. He planted an Amla tree on the occasion.

He stressed the need to plant locally-suited and medicinal plants like Bahada, Arjuna and Amla trees.

DFO Sameer Satpathy claimed that forest cover in the district has increased. He said a plantation programme would be undertaken to plant trees on a four-km stretch of National Highway divider beginning from the Balongir Collectorate. Assistant Conservator of Forest BC Roul briefed about the Bana Mohotsav. Social distancing and other Covid norms were followed.

=====================================================

Green vine Snake Sighted in Bolangir forest ;Sudhir Mishra Bolangir

By

Sudhir Mishra Bolangir ;

26thMay2020

Bolangir ; Much to the surprise and delight of animal lovers here ,the detection/ sighting of Green vine Snake in Bolangir forest on Sunday.on a forest walk on Sunday 

Five Nature lovers  including Journalist Sudhir Mishra, Sushant Dash,(,devlopment sector) Arindam Parischha,Subhranshu Mishra,wildlife enthusiast ,and Sonu ,Photographer,  undertook a forest walk onSunday morning  in the forest near Bolangir town and sighted the Green vine snake,besides the pug mark of  fishing cat, wild boar,Mongoose.  

The Green vine snake is slightly venomous snake and highly camouflage and it lives in tree.It mainly prey on lizard and insects and lives in.tree and has the same colour of green leaves.says Arindam Parischha,

a Lecture on Zoology here.Ten years ago this snake was sighted. Todays sighting is a good sign of Biodiversity of this forest ,Parischha says further. 

However much to the surprise,the number of birds namely  Flycatcher,Indian Pitta and others were found in less number. Last year we had noticed around 100 pairs of Indian paradise  flycatcher bird.However this year we have observed only a few.

We believed this has happened due to the unwanted human activity like picnic 

in that area last year which polluted the area with liquor bottles, plastic and others,says Parischha further.

The team also spotted a Sikhada which is an insects comes out in the night just before the monsoon and climb to nearest trees and produce a sound.After climbing at he tree from earth, it starts its further life says Subhranshu ,a wildlife lover

Every year a large number of biodiversity is lost in forest fire and steps should be prevent it to check further loss of biodiversity of this area,says SushantDash.
================================================

PaschimOdisha ParibarMumbai distributes sambalpuri Mask and promotes Handwashing among women in West Odisha

By

Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir:

12th May 2020..

============================================

PaschimOdisha ParibarMumbai distributes Sambalpuri Mask and promotes Handwashing among women in West Odisha to fight COVID19

=============================================

Bolangir; With a view to give a boost to local sambalpuri weavers and to combat COVID 19, effectively, the Paschim Odisha Paribar Mumbai,decided to distribute Sambalpuri mask to people,especially women  in Western Odisha,besides .promoting hand washing among them. 

 We collected clothes directly from the weavers and got them stitched by rural women and person with disabilities ( or physically challenged people). This provided the local weavers much needed boost in the lock down period,besides other involved in preparation of mask.We started the distribution of Sambalpuri Mask from 9th April in Barpali, Bargarh and so far we have distributed more than 15000 sambalpuri mask in Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Sambalpur and in Sundargarh says Pratyush Panda of Paschim Odisha Paribar Mumbai.

Besides this,we have also extended helps to stranded migrants labourers of Odisha in mumbai by providing them grocery and financial help to the needy people,saysSri Pratyush panda further.

=======================================================================