International Biodiversity Day observed in city
SHILLONG: With the increasing population of the State putting pressure on its biodiversity, sustainable development and livelihood is being seen as the only way forward to pass on a secure future to the coming generations.
This was observed during a programme organised to mark the International Biodiversity Day at the U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Thursday.
The programme was organised by the State Forest and Environment department and Meghalaya Biodiversity Board (MBB) under the theme, “Mainstreaming biodiversity; sustaining people and their livelihoods”.
Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, Forest Minister Prestone Tynsong called for the urgent need to ensure the protection of the environment.
“The lives of our future generations will be at stake if we don’t wake up today (to preserve the environment),” he said while calling upon all stakeholders to join hands with the Forest department in order to preserve the rich biodiversity of the State by creating awareness on various issues endangering the environment.
While speaking on sustainable development and livelihood, Tynsong lauded the self help group from Mawkyrnot and the people of the village “who have done a commendable job in taking care of the living -root bridges.”
Tyngsong also urged people to plant at least one tree in their premises to contribute to the cause of “green Meghalaya”.
The annual report of Meghalaya Biodiversity Board for the period 2012-2015 was also released during the programme.
Two books-‘Checklist of Flora of Meghalaya’ and ‘Tissue Culture Studies on Some Threatened Taxa, Rare Orchids, and Medicinal Plants of Meghalaya”, published by the Forest department were also released.
