THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BARBIL, JUNE 7, 2026

Reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement, JSW Steel’s Odisha Mining Division organized a six-kilometre Environment Marathon, christened “Enviro-Thon,” at Barbil on Sunday to mark World Environment Day 2026. The event witnessed an overwhelming response from employees and local residents, bringing together nearly 800 participants in one of the region’s largest environmental awareness initiatives.

The marathon aimed to inspire environmental responsibility while promoting fitness and healthy living among citizens. Participants from diverse age groups enthusiastically took part in the run, transforming the occasion into a vibrant celebration of sustainability, community spirit and collective action for a greener future.

The event was graced by Ramesh Chandra Nayak, Executive Officer of Barbil Municipality, as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he emphasized the need for adopting sustainable practices in everyday life and urged people to become active contributors to environmental conservation efforts.

The competition witnessed impressive performances across categories. In the men’s division, Dodro Hembrom clinched the top position by completing the race in 21.43 minutes, narrowly edging past Ashish Hesha, who finished second in 21.46 minutes. Sunil Behra secured the third position with a timing of 21.49 minutes.

Among women participants, Rina Topno emerged victorious with a time of 30.38 minutes. Saina Kalo secured second place by finishing in 30.43 minutes, while Kajal Sitari claimed the third spot with a timing of 32.07 minutes.

The children’s category also witnessed spirited competition, with Prince Sidu securing first place, followed by Ayush Sinku in second position and Gyhana Ranjan Mahanta in third.

Sharing his experience after the race, Dodro Hembrom said that while crossing the finish line was a memorable achievement, receiving a sapling as a prize made the moment even more meaningful, symbolizing the event’s larger message of environmental conservation. Echoing similar sentiments, Rina Topno remarked that although winning a medal was exciting, being part of an initiative encouraging eco-friendly practices and discouraging plastic use was the true reward.

In line with the World Environment Day theme, all participants were provided with specially designed T-shirts, while every finisher received a potted plant and a jute bag carrying the message, “Say No to Plastic.” Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in the men’s, women’s and children’s categories in recognition of their outstanding performances.

The Enviro-Thon showcased JSW Steel’s ongoing efforts to balance industrial growth with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. By combining fitness, awareness and community participation, the initiative highlighted the company’s vision of fostering sustainable development while encouraging citizens to play an active role in protecting the environment.