SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Thursday said that the State was rich in biodiversity but the rapid increase in population and uncontrolled activities has greatly affected the environment which needs to be preserved for ecological balance and sustainable livelihood.
Speaking at a function to observe the International Day for Biological Diversity organized by the Meghalaya State Biodiversity Board and the Department of Forest and Environment at a function held at Aurobindo Hall, Sri. Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture, Dr Sangma added that preservation of biodiversity can help to reduce the effects of climate change which have a direct impact on human lives and especially to provide a safe and secure life for the future generation.
He was also of the view that proper documentation of the State biodiversity is needed to sensitize the people about the importance of biodiversity for future sustenance which in turn has a great potential to generate employment opportunities.
He also stressed on the importance of community participation and commitment to enable the government functionaries to get all effective cooperation in its effort to reach out to every nook and corner of the State to protect and preserve the environment.
It may be mentioned that the forest cover in the State is 17,275 sq.km and 84 Biodiversity Management Committee has been constituted in the State. The programe was held to generate awareness among the people particularly the student community on the rich biodiversity that the State has.
The programme was also attended by P. Tynsong, Forest and Environment Minister in the presence of PBO Warjri, Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman Meghalaya State Biodiversity Board, MS Rao, Principal Secretary Forest and Environment, S. Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, officials of the Forest department and school students.
