Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 22: International Day for Biodiversity was celebrated by various organisations here today.
The day was celebrated at GDC Bishnah and the theme of the today’s event was “Be Part of The Planet”.
The event was organised under the patronage of Principal Dr. Shallu Samyal.
On the very outset of the event Convener Eco-club Prof. Sania Hamid briefed the students about dwindling Biodiversity and how small individual measures can go a long way in its conservation.
On this occasion students of semester-2 prepared Bird feeders which were later installed in the Botanical Garden of the college.
The entire activity was coordinated by members of the Eco-club and Department of Environmental Sciences.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department also celebrated World Biodiversity Day at Dachigam National Park in Srinagar.
On this occasion, Roshan Jaggi, PCCF-HoFF, and Chairman of the J&K Biodiversity Council, highlighted that 180 lakh plants were planted in the last financial year as part of the Green Jammu and Kashmir Drive, with efforts spanning across forests and vacant lands.
He said the department has also formed panchayat-level biodiversity management committees to conserve medicinal plants, promote afforestation, and protect water resources. Campaigns such as “Plastic Free Forest,” “Pedh Lagao Beti Ke Naam,” “Van se jal, jal se jeewan,” and “Mission Life” have been initiated to raise awareness about climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
“These efforts have led to an increase in the Tree Outside Forest (ToF) cover and boosted community participation in nature-based tourism. Our emphasis is on empowering local communities to create forest-based livelihoods and ensuring their participation in forest management,” he said.
With over 54% of its area covered by 42 types of forests, Jammu and Kashmir leads the country in forest cover.
“On Biodiversity Day, the department organized awareness and conservation events across all 20 districts, including a session on avian and mushroom diversity at the Forest Information Centre in Jammu,” he added.
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