Government launches five initiatives on International Day of Biodiversity
- In a virtual celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar launched five key initiatives towards conservation of biodiversity.
- India, which is a mega biodiverse country, welcomes those countries who are interested in improving their biodiversity scenarios, and are ready to share the experiences and best practices with them.
- He also laid emphasis on the need to limit our consumption and promote a sustainable lifestyle.
- Stressing on this year’s theme, Javadekar said that “Our solutions are in nature” and therefore, protecting it is very important, especially in the present context of Covid-19 as it is nature that shields us from various catastrophes including zoonotic diseases.
- On the occasion, he launched the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme which proposes to engage 20 students with postgraduate degrees for a period of one year through an open, transparent, online competitive process.
- The programme wishes to engage dynamic and creative students, who are willing to learn about natural resource management and biodiversity conservation and to support the projects of NBA in various states and Union Territories and to technically assist the State Biodiversity Boards in discharge of their mandates.
- The virtual event also saw the launch of UNEP Campaign on Illegal Trafficking of Endangered Species: ‘Not all Animals Migrate by Choice’. Illegal trade in wildlife carries the risk of spreading dangerous pandemics, it was emphasised.
- A Webinar Series on biodiversity Conservation and Biological Diversity Act, 2002‘ was also launched along with the WWF Model Conference of Parties (MCoP).
- An initiative which involves the younger generation so they can usher in a new beginning and engage in conversations around impact of humanity’s footprint on biodiversity and also the importance of sustenance of biodiversity for our own survival. An awareness campaign supported by WWF to highlight the crucial role played by nature through its free ecological services provided for humankind was also launched during the course of the event.
About UNDP-
- The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations’ global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves
- Founded– 22 November 1965
- Headquarter – NewYork, USA
- Head – Achim Steiner
About UNEP-
- The United Nations Environment Programme is responsible for coordinating the UN’s environmental activities and assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices.
- Founded– 5 June 1972
- Headquarter – Nairobi, Kenya
- Executive Director– Inger Andersen
About NBA-
- The National Biodiversity Authority is a statutory autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and climate change, Government of India established in 2003 to implement the provisions under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, after India signed Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992.
- Founded– 1 October 2003
- Headquarter – Chennai
- Chairperson– Dr. V. B. Mathur
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