The visuals, shot by a private firm, will highlight the green canopy of the city and how it looks from the top.

The Sunday event, which focused on the World Environment Day, aimed at sensitizing audience on afforestation by giving example of Jagannath cult that promotes the conservation of nature. "The three idols at the Jagannath Temple in Puri are made up of sacred neem trees," Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patasani said.

"We should not allow Odisha to face climate-adverse situation like Maharashtra. The existence of human civilization and survival of trees has to go hand in hand. It is high time, we started massive plantation drive in urban areas, which have turned into a concrete jungle," Patasani said.

Forest minister Bikram Keshari Arukha and culture minister Ashok Chandra Panda also stressed increasing green cover of the city.

Volunteers of the city-based organisation, Trees for Tomorrow, distributed saplings among the dignitaries. The organization spread message to ensure 100% conservation of the saplings that have been planted. Other organisations such as Bakul Foundation and Marwari Yuva Manch also distributed saplings.

Charles G Brown, former attorney general of the US and currently the president of World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, was a special invitee at the Raahgiri. "The use of silver and mercury should be banned completely," Brown said.

Aadar Foundation, Art Ya Craft and Art Godaam organised sit-and-draw art events among school children. The BMC officials planted sapling of 30 indigenous varieties at the newly opened kine house on city outskirt.

The city-based Plant Lovers' Association also distributed 200 saplings among the visitors. "We have found Raahgiri platform a suitable one to spread awareness among people to love the nature and plants," said secretary of the association, Prakash Chandra Behera.