A nature lover turns crusader

Expressbuzz, Jan 5, 2010
Uma Shankar Kar

BHAWANIPATNA: Live green, love green and think green is his motto. A teacher by profession, Ravindra Kumar Patnaik’s love for nature has seen him develop a miniature biodiversity museum at his home as well as school.

The museum at home has 25 categories of items, including those of drift wood collections, different bamboos and items prepared from bamboo, rare and endangered plants, 35 types of stones and ores, gem stones found in Kalahandi, types of bird nests, 24 varieties of bird feathers collected from Kalahandi, local wild fruits, local varieties of paddy facing extinction due to intense hybridizing, different tubers and rhizome, roots and barks, different oil seeds and pulses and collection of photographs of endangered birds, animals and photographs of 26 environment scientists.

In total there are 276 collections in this mini-museum. But there are many more which are yet to be documented and arranged, lying in his house.

Pattnaik said that he was sensitive to bio-diversity and interested in inculcating science culture among common men, particularly among students. He said unless the bio-diversity is protected and preserved, it will be damaged beyond repair. So we should nurture nature for future generation.

The works of Ravindra, a science teacher in Police High School, Bhawanipatna, were exhibited at a Kalahandi Education Circle level science exhibition held here recently on the theme of science environment and society. The models attracted huge crowds where students from 118 high schools and science teachers from Kalahandi and Nuapada districts participated.

His contribution for protection of environment was recognised by the State Government and he was honoured with the Prakruti Bandhu Award in 2009. Ravindra’s works had an impact on his students as well. Many of his students who participated in the State and national-level science exhibitions and seminars have brought laurels. Nine of his students participated in the national science shows at Amritsar, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Mysore and Ahmedabad.