Int’l Day for Biological Diversity: Awareness session on J&K’s Birds, Butterfly, Plant diversity organised in Forest Information Centre Jammu

Jammu: In consonance with the Mission LiFE and to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, the J&K Biodiversity Council organized a technical cum awareness session on the Birds, Butterfly and Plant diversity of Jammu & Kashmir here in the Forest Information Centre, Bikram Chowk.
The theme of the current year was “From Agreement to Action-Build Back Biodiversity”. Suresh K. Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K was the chief guest on this occasion. During his address to the audience which included Forest officers of different ranks, biodiversity enthusts, experts and members of different Biodiversity Management Committees, Suresh K. Gupta, IFS Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K laid emphasis on conservation of biodiversity in all life forms and exhorted to attune to a lifestyle which was environment friendly.
He advised to reduce human footprints on the environment by adopting all those practices which cause the least harm to the environment. The chief guest congratulated all the presenters for their presentations on different aspects of Biodiversity. He advised everybody to modify their lifestyles by going back to natural ways of living as our ancestors and which was in harmony with nature. He also administered a pledge under Mission LiFE to all the participants and Forest Officers to lead a lifestyle in tune with nature.
The programme was also attended by various experts on biodiversity which included Dr. C.M Seth, (Retd. PCCF), O.P Sharma, (Retd. PCCF), Prof. Susheel Verma, ( Jammu University), all Members J&K Biodiversity Council, Dr. Parmil Kumar, HOD Statistics Deptt (Jammu University ) who also happens to be an expert on Birds of J&K, Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Assistant Prof. Institute of Mountain Environment who is also an expert on Butterflies. All these experts addressed the audience by way of powerpoint presentation in their respective fields and shared their field experience too.
Asaf Mehmood Sagar, Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests and Director J&K Forest Research Institute who is also the Member Secretary of J&K Biodiversity Council presented the keynote address explaining the importance of biological diversity in all forms of life. He said that this year IDB is also celebrated in consonance with the Mission LiFE launched by Prime Minister on 20th October, 2022 at Kevadia Gujarat. He also presented a brief overview on the activities of the J&K Biodiversity Council and the progress achieved till date.
The students from different schools who had participated in Painting and Debate Competitions on the theme of International Day for Biological Diversity-2023 on 19th and 20th May, too attended the programme. The outstanding students were felicitated in this programme.
Jasmin Kour (Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar), Hashim Ayoub (Govt. Boys Higher Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar) and Miss. Maniya Devi (Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Rehari) secured 1st, 2nd& 3rd position respectively in Debate competition.
Sobiya Shabir Malik (Govt. Girls Model School Mubarak Mandi), Mohit Sharma (SRML Hr. Secondary School) and Mohammad Atif (Govt. Hari Singh Hr. Secondary School) secured 1st, 2nd& 3rd position respectively in the Painting Competition.
Rakesh Abrol, Divisional Forest Officer, Research Forest Division, Jammu presented the welcome address and vote of thanks.