The first International Biodiversity Congress (IBC 2018), organised as a joint initiative of Thiruvananthapuram based Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), Navdanya (Dehradun), Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, Dehradun and Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), began in Dehradun FRI today.
The focus of the meet will be on various discussions on the theme “Biodiversity for Ecological Civilization” promoting the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. More than 750 delegates from India and abroad are attending the event. The Congress was inaugurated by the Chief Guest honourable Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling.
Welcoming the dignitaries , Dr. Savita, Director FRI and Co-chair IBC highlighted the importance of biodiversity for sustainable development efforts and emphasised the need to educate the people for conservation of natural resources. Presenting the overview of the Congress, Dr. Vandana Shiva, Chairperson IBC and Founder ‘Navdanya’, briefed about the activities of Navdanya and emphasised the women empowerment and its role in framing convention on biodiversity. She also underlined the Indian philosophy of ‘Aranya Sanskriti’ for conserving diversity of nature.
Addressing the gathering Dr.Rakesh Shah, Chairman Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board (UBB) spoke on the transboundary issues and called upon to adopt the control measures required for the unmindful developmental activity which devastated the biological diversity up to the limit of extinction. Talking about the ecological knowledge and functioning of the biodiversity and impact on climate change on distribution and pattern of the species, Dr.
S.C. Gairola, Director General, Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, New Delhi, shared the efforts of the ICFRE for conservation of biodiversity and its key role in the release of REDD+ strategy of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of India.
In his broadcasted inaugural message, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce, Industry &Civil Aviation, Shri Suresh Prabhu emphasized the role of ocean biodiversity for storage of carbon and food security. In his keynote address, Shri Shyam Saran, Former Foreign Secretary and Special Envoy on Climate Change gave glimpses of various scientific reports dealing with the consequences of environment degradation and the climate change and stressed to follow the Mahatama Gandhi’s philosophy on judicious utilization of natural resources. Highlighting the role of forestry and wildlife for sustainable development, the Guest of Honour, Shri Harak Singh Rawat, Hon’ble Minister for Forest and Wildlife, Uttarakhand talked about the deep rooted culture and tradition of Uttarakhand in conserving and maintaining the biodiversity.
On the occasion, various esteemed publications were also released. Presenting the successful model of 100% organic state and its resultant multifarious socio-economic and ecological benefits in his inaugural address, Chief Guest, Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sikkim highlighted the need to exchange of the developmental models across the world along with maintaining the integrity of nature.
The function ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Prof. A. Biju Kumar, Organising Secretary, IBC. Rapporteurs Dr. M.S. Bhandari, Dr. Shailesh Pandey, Shri R. K. Meena from the FRI prepared the proceeding of the event.
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