NAGPUR: As directed by the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) observed International Biodiversity Day 2022 in Nagpur at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Hall, Reshimbagh. The theme of this year's International Biodiversity Day is ‘Building a shared future for all life’.
Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU) vice-chancellor Ashish Paturkar was the chief guest of the inaugural programme. Paturkar shed light on the importance of Biodiversity Day. Speaking on the occasion, MSBB president Sheshrao Patil appealed to the audience to protect and conserve biodiversity and nature.
Principal chief conservator of forests and MSBB member secretary Praveen Srivastava gave preliminary information of the programme, importance of International Biodiversity Day 2022 and information regarding the rules prepared under the Biodiversity Act 2022.
Chief conservator of forests (regional) Rangnath Naikade, conservator of forests, Pench Tiger Project Sree Lakshmi, divisional forest officer Geeta Nannavare, MSBB divisional forest officer Sonal Mate and others were present. Taluka and district-level officers and staff, NGOs, professors, students, chairperson and secretary of Biodiversity Management Committees from various departments of Vidarbha and Marathwada were invited.
The inaugural programme was followed by felicitation of 20 individuals and institutions of Biodiversity Management Committees in Vidarbha and Marathwada who have traditional knowledge, cultivate and protect traditional seeds, create seed banks of indigenous varieties and have done noteworthy work for biodiversity.
At the programme, Conservation, Research and Nature Education (Crane) Society Gadchiroli president Amit Setiya briefed the audience on the theme of International Biodiversity Day, the functions of the Biodiversity Management Committee and the preparation of the Public Biodiversity Register. MAFSU director Nitin Kurkure briefed the audience on animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries biodiversity in Maharashtra.
The guests at the event shared information about the indigenous and traditional varieties and their experiences. They got their doubts on the Biodiversity Act 2002 resolved by the officers present.
