The Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling said that it is high time for Governments to take a strong stand on issues which are related to biodiversity. He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the three-day International Biodiversity Congress (IBC 2018) at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) here on Thursday.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Chamling spoke of the various initiatives undertaken by the Government in Sikkim. He also informed the gathering about the positive effect these steps had on the public and environment. Referring to the successful model of 100 per cent organic State and its resultant multifarious socio-economic and ecological benefits, he highlighted the need for exchanging the developmental models across the world while maintaining the integrity of nature. He also stressed on the need for ensuring conservation of biodiversity of the Himalayan States and mountain ecosystem worldwide for healthier society, cleaner and greener world.
Delivering the keynote address, former foreign secretary and special envoy on climate change, Shyam Saran said that crisis situations require civilisational response.
Citing various scientific reports on the consequences of environmental degradation and climate change different crisis situations cannot be treated in isolation as they are all linked in some way or the other. “We cant deal with climate change without civilisational response at a time when we may be at the cusp of the sixth mass extinction.
The current developmental strategy in India is not sustainable. This too needs to be addressed,” he stressed.
In his recorded message broadcast on the occasion, the Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu emphasised on the importance of ocean biodiversity citing aspects like food security and carbon storage. He also referred to the importance of agricultural biodiversity.
State Forest and Wildlife Minister Harak Singh Rawat spoke on the role of Uttarakhand in environmental and forest conservation. He said that it was the deep rooted culture and tradition of Uttarakhand that had resulted in conservation of biodiversity in the State.
Earlier, IBC 2018 chairperson and Navdanya founder, Vandana Shiva stressed on women empowerment and its role in framing convention on bio-diversity. She also underlined the Indian philosophy of ‘Aranya Sanskriti’ for conserving diversity of nature.
Earlier, FRI director Savita welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of biodiversity for sustainable development efforts and emphasised the need to educate the people for conservation of natural resources.
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) director general SC Gairola and Uttarakhand biodiversity board chairman Rakesh Shah also expressed their views in the inaugural session.