A high-level workshop was held on Monday at the Dandakaranya Aranya Bhawan in Nava Raipur, focusing on the conservation of biodiversity and wetlands. The event was attended by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant, Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, along with all cabinet ministers and MLAs.
Addressing the workshop, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasized that the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh is not solely achievable through infrastructural development, but also through environmental balance and the protection of biological diversity. He urged every public representative and citizen to recognize their individual responsibility towards biodiversity and wetland conservation, becoming ‘Wetland Mitras’ to transform this campaign into a people’s movement.
Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap, who presided over the workshop, stated that the conservation of biodiversity and wetlands is not only an environmental necessity but also a matter of protecting future generations. He requested all public representatives to ensure participation in the conservation of biodiversity and to spread public awareness by becoming Wetland Mitras.
Rakesh Chaturvedi, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Biodiversity Board, delivered a comprehensive presentation. He provided detailed information on the 1992 Earth Summit, the Biodiversity Act 2002, the role of the National Biodiversity Board, and the structure and functions of Biodiversity Management Committees. He also highlighted that Chhattisgarh is the third state in the country where Biodiversity Management Committees are functioning effectively.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Arun Kumar Pandey discussed the vital role of wetlands in maintaining ecological balance. He provided information on the functioning of the State Wetland Authority and the process of forming district-level wetland conservation committees, stating that these committees are strengthening the monitoring and conservation of wetlands at the local level.
At the end of the workshop, all public representatives and officials were appealed to join as Wetland Mitras to actively participate in the conservation of biodiversity and wetlands. This participation is expected to help transform environmental awareness into a mass movement in the state. The workshop was attended by Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Richa Sharma, Chhattisgarh Forest Force Chief V. Srinivas Rao, Member Secretary of the Biodiversity Board Rajesh Kumar Chandele, and many senior officers and experts.