Unique Raksha Bandhan Festival Celebrated in Dubalagadi for the Protection of Rare Horseshoe Crab

Balasore, 10/8 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty):
As in previous years, the Nilarakta Kankada O Samudrika Jaiba Suraksha Mancha (Blue-Blood Crab & Marine Biodiversity Protection Forum) organized the ninth unique Raksha Bandhan festival for the protection of the rare horseshoe crab at the Dubalagadi Gram Panchayat office under Balasore Sadar Block. The event was jointly hosted by Dubalagadi Panchayat Office, Association for Biodiversity Conservation, Aam Dunia, Camp with Care, Moon Communication, Aranyak, Kasafal Marine Police Station, and Yuva Bikash, among other organizations.

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Chief guest Narayan Pradhan, Zilla Parishad Chairman, promised to launch district-level programs in all coastal panchayats for the protection of the rare horseshoe crab. Local Sarpanch Prabir Kumar Sahoo announced that from now on, the Raksha Bandhan festival will be celebrated every year on Rakhi Purnima with the cooperation of Dubalagadi residents.

Special guests included Rashmirekha Mahalik, Officer-in-Charge of Kasafal Marine Police Station; poet and journalist Gagan Kumar Sethi; and District Council Zone-30 member Sirish Chandra Dutta, who spoke on the need to protect the rare species. Aranyak’s chief, poet Sudhakar Sethi, recited a poem dedicated to the horseshoe crab, while Moon Communication’s head, Avani Jena, shared her experiences.

Main speaker Dr. Gobinda Chandra Bishwal, President of ABC, explained the lifestyle and benefits of the horseshoe crab. Social worker Sahadev Sahoo invited guests to the stage, and Ms. Upasana Pattnayak, a young researcher on horseshoe crabs from Fakir Mohan University, introduced the guests.

The event was presided over by artist Keshudas, President of the Blue-Blood Crab & Marine Biodiversity Protection Forum, and concluded with a vote of thanks from Aam Dunia’s chief, Gobinda Prasad Das.

In the morning, officials from all participating organizations visited Bahabalpur fishermen and marine police officers at Kasafal to spread awareness, followed by a beach-cleaning drive at Dubalagadi. Many village women joined the program, welcoming guests and villagers with flowers, sandal paste, incense, and specially designed rakhi threads featuring the horseshoe crab.

For smooth management of the event, all panchayat office staff, along with Gopal Maity, Bhavashankar Sahoo, Bhakta Charan Das, Sapan Das, Gokulananda Das, and Sanjay Mondal, extended their support.