By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Biodiversity in the State is under threat due to deforestation, habitat destruction, mining and encroachment of forest areas, said Minister of Forests and Environment, Prestone Tynsong.
Tynsong was speaking during a function organized to mark the International Biodiversity Day at the U Soso Tham Audotorium here on Tuesday. This was the first that Meghalaya joined the Biodiversity Day celebrations.
Referring to biological diversity as the presence of a variety of life forms divided into economic and ecosystem services, which include appropriate usage of living things and protection of water bodies, natural resources and so on, Tynsong said, “Time has come for each and every individual to take the pledge of conserving bio-diversity, both for ecological balance and economic security,”
To commemorate the day, essay and painting competitions were also held earlier for school students and prizes to the winners were distributed during the function.
Senior Government officials were also present on the occasion.
