Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 2: Prof Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra today underlined the need of urgent and effective measures required to be taken for protecting and conserving biodiversity.
“Rate of extinction of species, primarily due to the human induced pressures on habitats, is presently the fastest ever,” disclosed Sinha in his talk during the web lecture and interaction on the topic ‘Biodiversity Conservation’ organized by Samiksha – The Society for Promotion of Inclusive and Sustainable Development.
Prof Sinha asserted that disturbing the biodiversity spells serious consequences for various services provided by the ecosystem like regulation of the climate, disease regulation and control, nutrient recycling, soil formation, water purification, etc and, therefore, urgent measures are required for conserving biodiversity.
While deliberating upon various areas of plant and animal biodiversity in the country, he admired the traditional practices of coexistence with nature including vegetarianism practiced by the populations in earlier times, especially in rural communities.
To mitigate the imminent threats to biodiversity, he stressed upon intensified and coordinated efforts amongst the official agencies, non Government organizations and members of the civil society to promote conservation and propagation of indigenous /niche plant and animal species, and their habitats, since these species are more adapted to local climatic conditions and have become synchronous with the local aesthetic value, ethics and utility.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Ajay Khajuria (president, Samiksha) briefly underlined the role of humans in the increasing threats to biodiversity and the need to find ways and means to avert the impending disaster facing mankind.
The concluding remarks and vote of thanks were given by C M Sharma (secretary Samiksha). The programme was conducted and moderated by Malvika Khajuria (member Samiksha).
Prominent amongst those who joined were AK Srivastva (Retd IFS), KB Jandial (IAS Retd), Maj Gen (Retd) GS Jamwal, K S Risam (former VC SKUAST-J), Capt LK Sharma (IFS Retd), Vinod Malhotra (former Development Commissioner, Town Planning, J&K) and Jagmohan Sharma, Executive Director (Retd), Power Grid Corporation of India.
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