Wi th Industrialization, Urbanization and intensive mining activities progressing at a rapid pace, Orissa is developing at a fast rate and growing richer but all at the expense of irreparable damage to the environment. Ecological problems like pollution, loss of biodiversity and natural resources crunch have assumed critical proportions, especially in those parts of the state where developmental projects are progressing rampantly. During the past few centuries biodiversity has come under tremendous pressure not only due to shifting of developmental paradigm but also due to the control over the resources from local to global. The present models and paradigms of exclusionary conservation have almost snatched away communities' ‘Right to Live'. The restrictive policy puts a bar on their customary and basic rights, thereby seriously affecting the local livelihood.
Keeping in view the overall perspectives, beliefs and broad goals, Vasundhara has taken up some major interventions in identifying the Biodiversity hot spots of the State, addressing livelihood issues, and exploring the scope of involving local communities in the management of Protected Areas. Further, at this crucial junction, where urgent steps are needed to ameliorate the environment, we see the need to undertake monitoring of environmental quality and to provide knowledge based inputs to civic society actors for enhanced local action on environmental issues. Besides, Vasundhara also seeks to play an active role in providing responses to environmental threats and problems arising from unsustainable developmental practices.
