Conservation of natural resources has been ingrained in India's religion, culture and traditional lifestyles but with increasing population and rising needs there has been a gradual erosion of the conservation ethics. Former chairman of the Uttarakhand State Biodiversity Board BS Barfal said this while delivering the keynote address on biodiversity and sustainable development at a daylong training programme on training of trainers for sustainable development organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi in collaboration with Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology (UCOST) for NGO practitioners and school, college and university teachers of Uttarakhand.
Speaking about eroding conservation ethics, Barfal said that if not controlled in time, this would irrepairably damage the rich repository of our natural resources. He commented that that conservation and proper management of natural resources has assumed urgency and education can play a critical role in the present scenario. He stressed the increasing role of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) practitioners for generating awareness regarding the alarming state of environment in Uttarakhand and the viable alternatives for sustainable use of natural resources.
The UCOST director general Rajendra Dobhal stressed on the need for biodiversity conservation strategies in Uttarakhand. He said that destruction of habitat and uncontrolled tourism activities led to deterioration of vital plant habitats. He stressed that the state needs proper action plan through active involvement of ESD practitioners, roping in educational institutions for competing with the threats to biodiversity as many species of birds, mammals and reptiles feed on it.
The main objective of this training was to build capacities for biodiversity awareness amongst people best placed to help and implement a sustainable development approach in schools and higher education institutions as well as in the communities. Participants were trained to conduct training programmes for school managers, inspectors and members of civil society and also to act as a link between the teachers, learners and the school/institution environment.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering livleen Kahlon from TERI said that the goal of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005- 2014), for which UNESCO is the lead agency, is to integrate the principles, values, and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning. It contributes to more sustainable development in terms of environmental integrity, economic viability and social justice, as well as political participation and good governance for present and future generations. More than 40 participants attended sessions on local and regional biodiversity concerns, action projects on biodiversity, linkages between ESD and biodiversity and discussion on local best practices related to biodiversity conservation.
