Pollution during picnicking to invite stern action; SPCB to monitor picnic sites: Odisha Minister

ଶିକ୍ଷା

ପୋଷ୍ଟମ୍ୟାନ୍‌ରୁ ଡାକ୍ତର ହେବାର ସ୍ୱପ୍ନ; Re-NEETରେ ସଫଳ ହେଲେ କନ୍ଧମାଳର...

August 10, 2026

କେନ୍ଦ୍ରୀୟ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ବିଶ୍ୱବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟର ନୂଆ କୁଳପତି ଭାବେ ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ନେଲେ...

August 07, 2026

NEET-UG 2026 ପ୍ରଶ୍ନପତ୍ର ଲିକ୍ ମାମଲା: NTA ବିଶେଷଜ୍ଞଙ୍କ ସମେତ...

August 07, 2026

ପ୍ରଥମ ଶ୍ରେଣୀ ପାଠ୍ୟପୁସ୍ତକରେ କୌଣସି ତ୍ରୁଟି ନାହିଁ: ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ କଲେ...

August 06, 2026

ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ

ଜନଗଣନା ୨୦୨୭ରେ ଜାତି, ଧର୍ମ, କୋଭିଡ୍ ଟିକାକରଣ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସମେତ...

August 14, 2026

୧୦୦ ଦିନିଆ ଟିବି ମୁକ୍ତ ଭାରତ ଅଭିଯାନ: ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ୧୫,୨୬୮...

August 13, 2026

ସାମ୍ବାଦିକଙ୍କ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ବୀମା ଯୋଜନାର ହେବ ସମୀକ୍ଷା; ସଙ୍କେତ ଦେଲେ...

August 06, 2026

କ୍ୟାନ୍ସର ଚିକିତ୍ସାକୁ ଆହୁରି ସୁଦୃଢ଼ କଲା ଓଡ଼ିଶା; ଆୟୁଷ୍ମାନ ଭାରତ-GJAYରେ...

August 06, 2026

Pollution during picnicking to invite stern action; SPCB to monitor picnic sites: Odisha Minister

Odisha warned New Year picnic-goers that pollution at picnic, eco-tourism, and heritage sites will trigger strict action, as air quality worsens and the State Pollution Control Board intensifies monitoring statewide.

Published by Priti | December 30, 2025

Odisha government issued a strong warning on Tuesday to people planning picnics during theNew Year season, cautioning that any activity causing pollution will invite strict action. Forest and Environment Minister said the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is closely monitoring picnic activities, especially at eco-tourism locations and heritage sites.

Concern is growing over the deteriorating air quality in Bhubaneswar, where pollution levels have crossed into the ‘danger’ category. Officials have urged citizens to remain alert and act responsibly to prevent further environmental damage. Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia made it clear that pollution in the name of recreation will not be tolerated.

Pollution levels are rising across several parts of Odisha, including Angul, Balasore, Talcher, and Bhubaneswar, with air-quality index (AQI) readings remaining consistently very high. The situation in the Capital City has officially been described as particularly alarming.

To address the issue, the State government will soon hold a coordination meeting involving urban development, transport, industry, forest & environment, and other key departments. Authorities have been instructed to inspect mining areas to ensure that water sprinklers are functioning properly and standard operating procedures are being strictly followed.

Using non-biodegradable items such as plastics, throwing left-out foods at the picnic sites, and littering tourist destinations, etc., will invite stringent action, official sources stated.

“Those who are going for a picnic are being monitored by the Pollution Control Board. The anti-pollution body has issued an advisory in this regard. Picnic-goers across the State need to be conscious and accordingly discharge their duties,” the Forest Minister said.