Bhadrak, June 5: On the occasion of World Environment Day, a young man from Odisha’s Bhadrak district is drawing attention for his innovative and symbolic campaign on environmental protection in Gujarat.

Shashikant Panda, a 30-year-old youth from Ghanteswar area in Chandbali block of Bhadrak, has been working in a pharmaceutical company in Vadodara, Gujarat, as a migrant Odia. Beyond his professional life, he has dedicated his holidays and free time to spreading awareness about environmental conservation in a unique way.

Highlighting the growing concern over pollution, climate change, and deforestation, Panda has been conducting awareness drives wearing an oxygen mask setup attached to a live plant system, symbolically demonstrating the importance of trees in providing oxygen. In his model, oxygen generated from plants is channelled through a pipe system to his mask, creating a powerful visual message on the need to protect nature.

He also participates in public awareness activities during train journeys, marathons, and social programmes, consistently promoting environmental responsibility. His initiative has attracted appreciation from local residents in Gujarat, where he is currently based.

Locals in Bhadrak and Gujarat have praised his dedication towards spreading environmental awareness in such an innovative manner.

One Bhadrak resident said that such efforts help people better understand the urgency of environmental protection, while another highlighted the importance of not just planting trees but also ensuring their proper maintenance.

Shashikant believes that future water and oxygen scarcity must be prevented, stressing that people should not face a situation where essential natural resources become commercial commodities.