From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo, the founder of the popular Northeast India Cherry Blossom Festival, received the Nature Care Award for 2025 on Sunday. He was recognised for his outstanding contributions in providing nature-based solutions to current environmental problems.
The award was presented by the Nature Care Initiative, a national think tank, during a function held at the Constitution Club of India.
Dr Sahoo is an internationally renowned plant biologist credited with designing and launching the successful India Cherry Blossom Festivals, beginning in Shillong in 2016. He later introduced the festivals in Manipur, Mizoram, and Sikkim while serving as the Director of the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Government of India. The festival has been recognised widely, including mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat.
Currently, Dr Sahoo serves as Head of the Department of Botany and Chairperson of the Research Council at the University of Delhi.
His extensive research focuses on Climate Change and Bioresources Management, notably the creation of underwater forests through seaweed cultivation and utilisation.
Dr Sahoo also champions the “GROW A TREE FOR LIFE” movement across colleges and universities. His scientific contributions have led to two new plant species being named after him: Prunus dinabandhuana (a cherry blossom species) and Caulokaempferia dinabandhuensis (a ginger species).
During the event, Rajya Sabha member Sujit Kumar, speaking as the chief guest, stressed that the revival of rivers and water bodies requires community ownership, not just government action. He stated that meaningful change must start at the household level through environmentally responsible lifestyles.
Separately, the Nature Care Sustainability Award for 2025 was presented to Sachin Gupta, Dr Dharmendra Kumar, and Dr Sanjukta Sahoo.
Addressing the gathering, Supreme Court Advocate Soumyajeet Pani highlighted the importance of community involvement in urban landscapes. Ashish Gupta, president of the South Asia Climate Change Journalists’ Forum, stressed the need for river restoration through technology, policy convergence, and sustained public engagement. A technical session on ‘Community Participation in Cleaning Rivers and Water Bodies’ outlined a comprehensive roadmap for citizen-led environmental action.
