A workshop was held at the Dandakaranya Aranya Bhawan in Nava Raipur on Monday to discuss the conservation of biodiversity and wetlands. The gathering included Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, along with Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant, Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, and other government officials.
Chief Minister Sai addressed the workshop, stating that a developed Chhattisgarh requires more than just infrastructure; it also demands environmental balance and the protection of biological diversity. He called on every representative and citizen to personally commit to conserving biodiversity and wetlands by becoming ‘Wetland Mitras,’ thereby transforming this initiative into a movement supported by the public.
Presiding over the workshop, Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap highlighted that protecting biodiversity and wetlands is crucial not just for the environment, but also for the well-being of future generations. He urged all representatives to participate in conserving biodiversity and to promote awareness by acting as Wetland Mitras.
Rakesh Chaturvedi, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Biodiversity Board, presented detailed information about the 1992 Earth Summit, the Biodiversity Act 2002, the National Biodiversity Board’s role, and the structure and responsibilities of Biodiversity Management Committees. He noted that Chhattisgarh is one of the top three states where these committees are functioning effectively.
Arun Kumar Pandey, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, discussed the importance of wetlands in maintaining the ecological balance. He explained the functions of the State Wetland Authority and the process of forming district-level wetland conservation committees, emphasizing that these committees are strengthening the monitoring and protection of wetlands at the local level.
The workshop concluded with a call for all representatives and officials to actively engage in the ‘Wetland Mitra’ initiative and support the conservation of biodiversity and wetlands. This participation is expected to help promote environmental awareness throughout the state. The workshop also saw the presence of Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Richa Sharma, Chhattisgarh Forest Force Chief V. Srinivas Rao, and other senior officials and experts.