Chief Minister awarded individuals and organizations working in the field of biodiversity conservation

’Mehmaan Parinde’ documentry film made by Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board inaugurated

Raipur. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that Chhattisgarh is a state with rich biodiversity. The importance of biodiversity has always been an important part of Chhattisgarh’s culture. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel was addressing a virtual program organized at his residence office in the capital, on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day today. Forest and Climate Change Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri T.S. Singhdev were also present.
Chief Minister Mr. Baghel felicitated the institutions and individuals, who have received state-level awards in five categories of biodiversity in the program. On this occasion, the documentary film 'Atithi Parinde' produced by Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board was inaugurated and the books based on Floral Diversity of Chhattisgarh, Butterfly of Bhoramdev Wildlife 'and' Sneaks and Other Raptiles of Chhattisgarh 'published by the Board were also released. He extended warm wishes to all people on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day.

Addressing the program, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that the world has become more aware and concerned about the conservation of biodiversity over the last few decades. This is the reason why May 22 is observed as International Biodiversity Day from year 1922. Despite the worldwide efforts for conservation of biodiversity, the term is unfamiliar to the general public. This word may be new, but this idea is not new to us. This idea has been an important part of our culture for centuries. 

Chief Minister Mr. Baghel further said that the Chhattisgarh’s biodiversity is the heritage of not only people in the state but of the entire humanity. Biodiversity Board has been constituted in the state for  preserving this heritage. Besides, more than 12 thousand Biodiversity Management Committees are working in all Gram Panchayats of the state. Documentation of the biodiversity in the state is also in progress. He said that biodiversity means conservation of animals, birds, flora etc. as well as cultural traditions. Therefore, we should understand the importance of biodiversity and come forward to create public awareness about the same. Chief Minister appealed people to play an important role in gaining national and international level recognition for the resources available in the Chhattisgarh. 

   On this occasion, Minister of Forests and Climate Change, Mr. Mohammad Akbar said that on May 22, International Biodiversity Day is celebrated all over the world to create public awareness towards biodiversity. In Chhattisgarh state, 44 percent of the land is covered with forest resources and this state is flaunts its rich biodiversity. He said that there is an unbreakable relationship between man and nature and our lives depend on each other. Keeping this in mind, conservation and promotion of biodiversity is necessary. In the program, Principal Secretary Forests Mr. Manoj Pingua, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Rakesh Chaturvedi and Board Member Secretary Mr. Arun Pandey apprised in detail about the activities and activities of the Board for biodiversity conservation in the state. He was also informed that at present 27 wetlands have been selected in the state, wherein migratory birds visit in large numbers. Of these, 4 are in Belaudi, Chicha, Achanakmar and Sankara area of Durg district, 03 in Gidhwa Parsada and Murkuta area of Bemetra district and 5 in Barabanda, Mandhar, Kharora, Bangoli and Kosrangi in Raipur district.
In the program organized today on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, State-level awards were conferred upon individuals and institutions in five categories of biodiversity. These include Raipur Snake Conservation Group, Dhamtari Wild Life Fair Society and Nova Nature Wild Life Society under the Wildlife Conservation category. Similarly, State Police Dog Training Center 7th Corps Chhattisgarh Armed Forces, Bhilai in the conservation of domesticated species, Shri Prabhat Dubey Ambikapur in the nutritional use of bio resources, Jungoreitar Vidya Ketul educational institution, Naisargik Paryavaran Shiksha Niketan, Gyan Baada Damkasa in the category of biodiversity conservation through civilization, culture and heritage, and Biodiversity Management Committee Gidhwa and Biodiversity Management Committee Parasada were awarded in the category of the Best Biodiversity Management Committee.
Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Subrat Sahu, Principal Secretary Forest Mr. Manoj Pingua and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief of Forest Force Mr. Rakesh Chaturvedi, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Arun Pandey were present on the occasion. In the program, MP Smt. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant and all the Chief Conservator of Forests and Forest Divisional Officers were connected through video conferencing.