Environmental News

Jamankira, May 15: Sarda Village Panchayat in the Jamankira Block of Sambalpur district has been nominated for a prestigious National Panchayat Award, sparking waves of joy across the entire Panchayat. The village secured second place in the Independent Environmental Protection category. According to official records (Letter No. 11019/18/2020 dated 12/05/2026) from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Sarda Panchayat under Jamankira Block, has been nominated for the National Panchayat Award for the financial year 2024-25 in recognition of its exemplary work in environmental protection. This recognition comes along with other states including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Bihar. Under the guidance of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and State Minister for Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Rabi Narayan Naik and with direct supervision from Sambalpur District Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar and Chief Development Officer Prasanna Patra, Sarda Panchayat implemented a range of programs to promote a pollution-free environment in 2024-25. In recent months, under the leadership of BDO Rabindra Sethi, the Panchayat has successfully executed multiple solar-powered projects, including electricity generation, street lighting, cooking solutions, and water supply through motor pumps. The Panchayat has also initiated organic farming practices for Kharif and Rabi crops and undertaken extensive tree plantation drives in collaboration with the Forest Department. Residents have been encouraged to plant and care for at least one tree each. Several projects were also implemented with the support of the Soil Conservation, Agriculture, and Horticulture departments. Sarda Panchayat, surrounded by lush forested hills, has transformed significantly since 2014-2019, when it was adopted as a “model village” by former Sambalpur MP Nagendra Pradhan and then-District Collector Balwant Singh. Through sustained developmental efforts, the Panchayat has now earned national recognition for its environmental initiatives. Residents Anjali Bagh and Dalimb Behera, along with Sarpanch Geeta Bagh, highlighted the Panchayat’s proactive measures to address climate change, environmental conservation, afforestation, use of solar energy, water and plastic waste management, promotion of cycling, and wildlife protection. BDO Rabindra Sethi noted that the award reflects the Panchayat’s commitment to sustainable development. Experts and officials agree that the Sarda Panchayat’s success demonstrates that effective environmental protection at the local level can have wide-reaching impacts, setting a benchmark for other communities.

Officials confirmed that enforcement action began early Monday morning after inspections revealed that the plant was significantly contributing to air and water pollution. The facility falls under Category 17, which includes highly polluting industries such as integrated steel and sponge iron plants. A joint team from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), along with local administration and police personnel, entered the premises and initiated closure procedures across multiple units. Security has been tightened at the site, with police deployed at the main gate. Entry of employees has been restricted to ensure smooth execution of the shutdown process.The latest move comes after a series of inspections and warnings issued over the past year. The CPCB conducted a detailed inspection in August 2024 and later issued a non-compliance notice on May 27, 2025. Despite these directives, the company reportedly failed to meet environmental standards. Further violations were identified during a follow-up inspection conducted between March 17 and 18, 2026. Officials noted that the plant continued to breach pollution control norms, prompting decisive enforcement action.