SHILLONG : Minister of Forests and Environment, C R Marak has called upon the need to preserve the protected areas and other natural ecosystems by ensuring development activities go hand-in-hand with environmental conservation.
Addressing the valedictory function of the Wildlife Week Celebration on Tuesday, he said that the state was richly endowed with biodiversity which formed an important part of Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
Stating that Meghalaya is home to a fascinating array of wildlife, Marak said, “Forests of Meghalaya are home to 5,500 species of animals, 139 species of mammals, 540 species of birds, 94 species of reptiles and 33 species of amphibians, 152 species of fishes, 4580 invertebrates,” he said.
Informing that 79 percent of the geographical area of the state is covered with forests and trees, Marak said, “More than 3000 species of flowering plants which contributes about 18 percent of the total flora in the country are known to naturally exist in the state. More than 1,235 of these species are endemic to Meghalaya.”
On this day, the Minister gave away Wildlife Samaritan Award to more than wildlife rescuers who rescued distressed animals.
