The Dakhin Odisha Unnayan Parishad on Sunday pledged to highlight the art, culture, literary history and rich heritage of the region, besides making efforts to popularise social life, indigenous
food and products.

In its annual general body meeting held here the Parishad office
bearers stated that the organisation would work for betterment of the
region and ventilate the genuine problems of the people of
Malkangitri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Ganjam districts to the concerned authorities.

Addressing a gathering, Parishad president Bhrugu Buxipatra announced
that the organisational network would be strengthened in all the 12
sub-divisions spread over seven districts and the forum would play a
pivotal role in promoting talents from the area. He said the region which is rich in natural resources, known for maximum concentration of Adivasis and its contribution for strengthening State’s economy, needs to get special attention.

The participants raised the demand for immediate and permanent solution of border dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
caused by repeated attempt of AP Government to forcibly encroach upon lands in Kotia villages, sorting out the water disputes with AP
concerning construction of dam at the upper basin of Bansadhara river,
besides issues like construction of Gunpur-Therubali Railway line,
functioning of Rayagada Railway Division, recognition of first
independence struggle of Paralakhemundi, formation of Biodiversity
Conservation Board for Mahendragiri hills and tribals and
establishment of Agriculture University for the region.

While forum vice-president Prof Rama Chandra Mishra gave the welcome address, secretary Er Bipin Bihary Panda read out the annual report and treasurers Bijoya Chandra Adhikary presented the accounts at the meeting.