GREEN PICNIC MISSION
The Green Picnic Mission (henceforth, GPM) is a name that, most nature lovers and enthusiasts, from Durgapur and adjacent areas, can relate to easily. The program was initiated in 2016-2017, under the name of Durgapur Barrage Cleaning Campaign, under the banner of erstwhile Birding Durgapur. A brainchild of our founding member as well as Governing Body member Nirjhar Banerjee, GPM is a culmination of a movement that started with only five (5) nature enthusiasts and bird lovers [Milan Kanti Mandal (DFO, Durgapur), Kamol Raha, Abhijeet Sett, Nirjhar Banerjee and Sagar Adhurya], during 2016-2017. Initially undermined, this project turned out to be a grand success, in the following year 2017-2018, when the number of participants skyrocketed to around 82.
The need for such a campaign, arose out of the immediate need, of educating and making the picnickers aware about the ill-effects of using use-and-throw plastic and thermoplastic utensils and their improper management, uncontrolled playing of DJ microphones (or, as some others say, boomboxes), stampeding on nests of some river-bank birds build on the sandbanks, and several other nuisances.
The Campaign itself is a part of Citizen Science and Innovation Project, undertaken by the then Biodiversity of Paschim Bardhaman, was rechristened Green Picnic Mission from 2017-2018, on account of the multipurpose goals, that were set to be achieved, via this program. The objectives now included not only the purpose of merely cleaning the picnic sites but also creating environmental awareness among the picnickers, which in turn, would yield long-term results, in other areas as well.
We feel fortunate, in having the patronage of West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Durgapur regional Office, Durgapur Forest Division (Directorate of Wildlife, Government of West Bengal), The New Horizon Institute of Technology, Durgapur (a leading private Polytechnic College in Durgapur), Durgapur Government College, and Durgapur Snakes and Wild Lovers during GPM 2017-2018. The program was also modelled in Howrah, Cooch Behar and Purulia districts of West Bengal, with some local modifications.
In 2018-19, for the first time the "Green Picnic Mission" term was came in appearance under the emergence of a new group WINGS (Wildlife Information and Nature Guide Society). In this year, Wildlife Conservation Murshidabad joined as a new partner.
WINGS now become a registered society and our full name is Durgapur Wildlife Information and Nature Guide Society. Being a registered society we are not facing the biggest problem to approach administration. This year we are going to lauch our program for all 3 days at Maithon Dam, Deul Park, Durgapur Barrage and Nachan Dam for the all 3 days i.e. 25th, 31 December and 1 January. In addition to previous organisors, FOCUSS the Pride of Durgapur and Amra Kajan Nature Club join their hands with us to make the venture success.
As promised by our Hon'ble Sub Divisoinal Magistrate Sri Anirban Kolay, there will be Green Picnic throughout the Durgapur subdivision. A administrative meeting including WINGS representative, Divisonal Forest Officer, EE (WBPCB), EE (DHW), DMC, BDO of all blocks, ADPC and BDO Barjora was organised at SDM office to enforce the Green Picnic Mission throughout the subdivision. In the meeting the decision was taken towards the ban of plastic and DJ box in picnic, construction of biotoilet at picnic spots, temporary biodegradable plate-glass stall etc.
Participants were distributing the leaflets.
Participants are spreading awareness.
Ei Samay newspaper Bardhaman/Shilpanchal page 2 on 1.1.2017.
Participants were collecting the tharmocol plates.
Participants are spreading awareness.
Some glimpse of the felicitation program.
Anandabazar Patrika on 25 December 2017.
Songbad Protidin on 21 December 2017.
Songbad Protidin on 25 December 2017.
Participants at Durgapur Barrage.
Press conference at barrage.
Awareness in Nachan Dam.
Participants At Maithon Dam.
Awareness At Deul.
Awareness At Murshidabad.
Anandabazar Patrika on 25 December.
WINGS members at RED FM.
WINGS Secretary and Treasurer at Hallow India.
Administrative meeting at SDM office.
News paper report of the meeting published in Anandabazar Patrika.
During meeting at Durgapur Barrage.
Field visit at Durgapur Barrage.
Meeting at Deul park.