Margao: May 26, 2018 … Goa State Biodiversity Board in association with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Biodiversity Authority observed International Day for Biological Diversity at a full day programme held at Parisram Damodar Raikar Hall, Daivadnya Bhavan, Margao recently.
The programme was inaugurated by Secretary, Environment, IAS, Shri Daulat Hawaldar.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Daulat Hawaldar underscored the need of conservation of biodiversity. Every citizen should understand the importance of conservation of Biodiversity and the damage caused to it. Urgent problems faced by humanity in the world like war, terrorism, climate change and others are not the cultural problems, culture is only the part of these problems and not the core to these problems, he said.
Shri Hawaldar lauded the efforts initiated in various parts of the State by activists for conserving biodiversity and also arresting the damage wherever done.
Speaking further, he said Goa is a civilised State and civilisation mainly denotes a material development. Core to the civilisation is the central theme of desire that is unending. Material development has the impact on the biodiversity, he pointed.
Expressing concern about the human tendancy of mortgaging the future life for their present day needs he said sacred groves which exist in many parts of State are the part of goan culture that needs to be preserved. Western lifestyle is aspirational and addictive lifestyle has dangerous consequences. Major consequence of wesern lifestyle gives rise to global warming, he remarked.
Chairperson, National Committee on Access Benefit Sharing, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, IAS, Dr Giridhar Kinhal said, people should stand up for the conservation of Biodiversity. People should understand the gravity of the development that is going as a result of which many species are lost. There is a need to protect the Biodiversity not only with conservation but with sustainable and potential use of this Biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation has no exception, he exhorted.
Member Secretary, Goa State Biodiversity Board Shri Pradip Sarmokadam welcomed while Director, Department of Environment, IAS, Shri Ravi Jha, IAS proposed vote of thanks.
Environmentalist, Shri Rajendra Kerkar was among the prominent persons present on the dias.
Members, Goa State Biodiversity Board; Chairpersons, Secretaries and Members of Biodiversity Management Committees; Village Panchayat Members and stakeholders concerned with Environment and Biodiversity attended the programme. “Sacred Groves of Goa” a book written by Environmentalist Shri Rajendra Kerkar was released on the occasion.
Prizes were presented to winners of various competitions. Representatiives of various Biodiversity Management Committes were recognized for their contribution towards Biodiversity conservation.
Sessions on Importance of Mangroves and Involvement of Biodiversity Management Committes for conservation efforts, Centre of excellence for sustainable development on mainstreaming of biodiversity in business learning and best practices and Role of ICAR in supporting Biodiversity Management Committes for conservation of local species were held during the course of the day.
