Forest Minister chairs review meeting of U’khand Biodiversity Board
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 12 Sep: A review meeting regarding the activities of the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board was organised under the chairmanship of Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal in the auditorium of the Assembly Building, here, today. Speaking on the occasion, Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal insisted on adopting more practicality in the field of biodiversity. He noted that, along with saving various endangered species, work should also be done to conserve and propagate herbs and thereby increasing the livelihood opportunities for farmers by promoting herbal farming.
The Forest Minister said that wild animals damage the crops every day, for which fencing facilities, street lights and grass cutters should be provided to the farmers. Seeds and herbal nurseries should also be set up and promoted. Uniyal further stressed that work should be done to connect people with livelihood through Van Panchayats.
Uniyal reminded that about 7991 committees have been formed in the state for biodiversity conservation, out of which the biodiversity register of only about 1620 committees has been prepared. He also asked the officers to include Forest Inspectors and Forest Guards in the work of preparing the biodiversity register of other committees. He directed them to speed up the work on preparing biodiversity registers by the committees which are yet to complete their work.
The Minister also insisted that an action plan be prepared by the Biodiversity Board and necessary steps taken towards saving endangered species from environmental point of view and for preserving biodiversity and increasing income through them. He said that the action plan for the purpose for which the Biodiversity Board has been constituted should be implemented as soon as possible.
Uniyal further directed the officials to work within one and a half months for the work related to the establishment of Herbal Mission and Testing Lab for the conservation of species essential for biodiversity. The Minister also directed the officials to promote tourism by bringing the heritage site on the world map.
On this occasion, Chairman, Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, Dr Dhananjay Mohan, Member Secretary RK Mishra and Advisor to the Minister (Forest) SK Singh were present.
