Conservation of biodiversity need of hour: Minister

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 22

Conservation of biodiversity is the need of the hour, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Vipin Singh Parmar who presided over the function organised by the Himachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (HPSBB) on the occasion of “International Day for Biodiversity” here on Tuesday.

Parmar stressed upon the need to spread awareness about biodiversity in the context of successfully addressing biodiversity conservation problems in the state.

The minister said more than 150 species of plants, insects, birds and mammals become extinct every 24 hours from the earth due to environmental imbalances.

He said every person would have to contribute for the preservation of environment adding that all departments concerned in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Institutes and NGOs need to make special efforts up to grass root level to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

The minister also inaugurated an exhibition on biodiversity of the state in which various reputed centres and state research institutes participated. Additional Chief Secretary Tarun Kapoor said that considering all unique features of the state biodiversity, its conservation needed utmost and immediate concern of all stakeholders who were deriving benefits either directly or indirectly from it. Member Secretary, HPSBB Kunal Satyarthi, said that traditions, customs and cultural rights played a key role in protection of biodiversity and environment. He said there was a need to utilise the information available on conservation, documentation of valuable bio-resources, their associated traditional knowledge and promote the indigenous people/community as they contribute a lot in conserving the biodiversity.