Itanagar, May 22: The International Day for Biological Diversity, 2024 was celebrated by Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board(APBB), Itanagar at Dr. Verrier Elwin Conference Hall, SFRI, Chimpu today with the theme “Be part of the Plan”.
Dr. Bamin Yakang, Research Officer, APBB welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of the International Day for Biological Diversity with the theme “Be part of the Plan” which is a call for action to all the stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework also called the Biodiversity Plan. It urges each and every one of us to play an active role in shaping and implementing strategies for biodiversity conservation.
Samuel Changkija, IFS, CCF (RE) and Member Secretary, (Incharge) of Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board in his address emphasized the need on conserving every single species. He also informed that this year’s IDB celebration coincides with the 26th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) and the meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) of the convention on biological diversity taking place at Nairobi, Kenya from 13th - 29th May, 2024. He also appealed to all the participants to spread the importance of conserving biodiversity and to reduce activities that negatively impact biodiversity and encouraged community participation, adopting eco-friendly practices to effectively safeguard the rich biodiversity of the state.
More than 50 participants including school students, forest officials, Scientists, NGOs and others attended the programme. Ankit Kumar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Silviculture Division, R.K. Taj, Scientist, and Dr. O. Apang, Scientist SFRI also spoke on the importance of biodiversity during the programme.
Earlier, the board also conducted various events like painting and online poetry competitions, plantations and awareness programmes as part of the celebration. The event concluded with a play on the theme “Be part of the plan” performed by the team of Roots Arunachal.