Onus on natives to conserve biodiversity: Dr Birkumar
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 22 2024:
The Directorate of Environment & Climate Change observed International Day of Biodiversity on the theme of 'Be Part of the Plan' at the State Botanical Garden, Khon-gampat (Laikon) on Wednesday.
The observance was attended by additional chief secretary (Forest, Environment and Climate Change) MH Khan, State Wetlands Authority, Manipur Technical Committee chairman Dr Kh Shamungou, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Lamphelpat chief scientist Dr H Birkumar Singh and Directorate of Environment and Climate Change director Dr T Brajakumar Singh as presidium members along with others.
Delivering the key note address, Environment & Climate Change joint director Ph Vivekananda appealed all to take action to stop and reverse the loss of biodiversity as per the Biodiversity Plan, also known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework.
The framework has 23 action-oriented global targets which need to be initiated and completed by 2030.Calling upon people, groups and companies to take action by commemorating the day, he encouraged adoption of sustainable lifestyles and supporting more robust environmental protection as means of participating in biodiversity friendly actions.
The joint director further said that a community's identity and cultural legacy is entwined with biodiversity while pointing out that Manipur, being a biodiversity hotspot, is home to many unique flora and fauna.
As such, the Directorate has undertaken efforts to conserve the biodiversity through eco-development programmes and natural resources conservation schemes, including development of eco-parks, conservation of rivers, wetlands, etc.
Despite these, we need to recognise the dangers pose to biodiversity due to human actions, which would threaten the existence of all living organisms.
Thus, there is the need for immediate intervention with firm approach towards making the people aware about the sustainable development strategy and enforcement of climate resilience innovations, Vivekananda maintained.
In his speech, chief scientist Dr H Birkumar Singh iterated that Manipur is a biodiversity hotspot in the Indo-Burma centre.
However, the biodiversity hotspot is not a permanent tag but temporary and likely to disappear within the next 10-20 years with decline in resources.
Manipur has a unique and interesting biodiversity as it is located in the tri-juncture area of Myanmar elements, China elements and Indian elements.
Discouraging monoculture (same species of plants/animals in an area) which is detrimental to biodiversity, he said that it is up to the natives to conserve the biodiversity of the state instead of waiting for any international or national organisation to intervene.
He then appealed to the media persons to visit every nook and corner of the state, stating that they have no limitations in accessing the forests and communities compared to the officials.
If any biodiversity issue is detected, the same can be brought to the notice of the authority concerned, he suggested.
Dr Birkumar further highlighted the varieties of species among medicinal plants, which are generally assumed often time as belonging to only one species, despite differences in physical appearances, chemical composition and uses as one single species by the people.
Thus, Manipur has a huge scope in biological sciences due to its location, and as such, he urged the students to delve into biological sciences as the bio-resources available in the state are our advantage and strength.
Dr birkumar also emphasised the importance of traditional knowledge-based forecast of weather and disaster, which would be suitable to state, compared to the policies formulated at the centre or international conventions.
As part of the observance, around 10 journalists from different media firms who were selected for the 5th State Level Media Fellowship on Climate Change Reporting, 2024-25 were presented with the fellowship award letters.
Amongst them, The People's Chronicle sub-editor Nongmaithem Debarani Devi was awarded the fellowship in the 'Women journalist category for print media reporter'.
Prior to the commencement of the programme, a tree plantation drive was carried out by the dignitaries at the State Botanical Garden.
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