By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 22 May: International Day for Biodiversity with the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development” was celebrated in Forest Research Institute (FRI), here, today. On this occasion, a programme on Bird Watching and Botanisation was organised in the campus of the FRI.
All officers, scientists, technical staff, MSc Students and PhD scholars enthusiastically participated in the programme. Participants were divided into two groups, respectively, for bird watching and botanisation. The Bird Watching group was guided by Dr Arun Pratap Singh, Head, Forest Protection Division, and the plants identification group guided by Dr PK Verma, Scientist-D of Forest Botany Division, inside the campus.
On this occasion, a programme on poster presentation was also conducted in which students and research scholars of Forest FRI (Deemed to be University) presented their posters.
The programme was followed with an address by Dr Renu Singh, Director, FRI. Dr Renu Singh spoke on the importance of biodiversity and its conservation. She also stressed on the need of awareness for conservation of biodiversity. She mentioned that biodiversity conservation is directly as well as indirectly associated with survival of mankind. She stated that, if there is no biodiversity, there is no life on this planet. It is also everybody’s moral duty to protect and conserve biodiversity to protect the planet.
On the occasion, Dr Renu Singh also released the Information, Education, and Communication Materials (IEC) on forest fire awareness developed under a CAMPA funded project “Forest Fire Research and Knowledge Management”. The IEC materials were released in 7 different languages Hindi, English, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam which includes posters, banners, hoardings, leaflets, children’s book for awareness of school children.
In addition, a fire Mascot, Radio jingles, Fire prevention sign, logo, slogan, Manual on Social Media Campaign and Communication Strategy, Manual on Strategy for Outreach Program, Manual on Strategy for Automobile Awareness Campaign in remote areas have also been developed. These materials have been shared with the State Forest Departments for use in fire prevention in the current fire season.
The programme was organised by Extension Division and Silviculture and Forest management Division of FRI.
