Admn reconstitutes bio-diversity panel

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 8

In order to conserve wild and domesticated flora and fauna of the state and promote its sustainable use, the district administration has reconstituted seven-member bio-diversity management committee during a meeting held here today.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (development) SP Angra presided over the meeting. While speaking on the occasion, he said the committee, which was elected unanimously, would be valid for five years. He said a similar committee for the Ajnala block would be constituted soon. Angra said various aims of the committee include equitable sharing of natural resources, besides spreading awareness about bio-diversity and its conservation. Various awareness programmes for the preservation of bio-diversity of Punjab, including its rich flora and fauna, would also be initiated, he added. The ADC said Punjab biodiversity board had made district biodiversity registers for Amritsar as per the guidelines of national biodiversity authority.

Gurharminder Singh, senior scientific officer, Punjab Bio-diversity Board, was also present on the occasion. Gurharminder said the board was notified by the state government in December 2004 as a statutory body under Biological Diversity Act 2002. He said the committee would also ensure implementation of the Act in letter and spirit, promote sustainable utilisation of biological resources, identify biodiversity heritage sites and subsequently promote their conservation.