The Wildlife Conservation Week-2026 celebrations at Maitri Bagh Zoo, organised by the Horticulture and Town Services Department of SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant, concluded on October 11 at the Candle Lawn. Gurunathan N., Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Raipur, attended as the chief guest, while Pawan Kumar, Executive Director (Human Resources), Bhilai Steel Plant, was the special guest.

Held from October 2 to 8 under the leadership of Vikrant Sharan, Deputy General Manager (Horticulture and Town Services), the week featured a painting competition on October 2 and speech competitions on October 7 and 8. Under the initiative “Ek Safar Maitri Bagh Ka”, schoolchildren were also given free zoo visits on October 9 and 10.

The programme began with a welcome song presented by schoolchildren, followed by a visit to the painting exhibition. A.B. Srinivas, Head of Department and General Manager-in-Charge (Town Administration and Corporate Social Responsibility), welcomed the guests and highlighted the department’s annual activities.

Addressing the gathering, Pawan Kumar emphasised that wildlife and environmental conservation are collective responsibilities. He encouraged citizens and children to visit Maitri Bagh, observe its birds and other wildlife, and develop a closer connection with nature.

Gurunathan N. highlighted the week’s theme, “Connecting Habitats – Thriving Wildlife”, and stressed the need for collective efforts to protect natural habitats. He urged children and parents to spend more time in nature and with wildlife rather than on electronic devices.

Winners of the painting and speech competitions were felicitated. Balu Ram Verma, Jageshwar Rao, Yuvraj Deshmukh and representatives of Sarvadharma Seva Sanstha were also honoured for their contributions to wildlife and environmental conservation. Speech competition winner Ayushman Sharma delivered his winning address during the ceremony.

Cultural performances featuring Chhattisgarhi and Rajasthani folk dances, along with Kathak, added to the celebrations. Competition judges Shatrughan Swarnkar, Mohan Baral, Aparna Banerjee and Meeta Roy, along with anchor Supriyo Sen, were also felicitated. The guests received mementoes.

Vikrant Sharan delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the guests, media representatives, officers, employees and participants. Several employees contributed to the successful organisation of the event.

 

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