PANAJI
In a bid to protect the environment by minimizing the use of paper, the Central government has begins digitizing biodiversity registers nationwide. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey revealed that 2,67,608 People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR) have been prepared by the Biodiversity Management Committees, so far.
These committees are entrusted with the crucial task of documenting natural resources and the traditional knowledge associated with them.
“We are progressing towards digitizing the People’s Biodiversity Registers, transforming them into e-PBR,” he said while speaking at The National Campaign for Updation and Verification of People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) on Tuesday.
Choubey further emphasized the importance of maintaining the delicate balance present in nature while narrating the importance of conserving biodiversity.
“Conserving biodiversity is key to maintaining balance in nature. There is a need for people’s participation in achieving success in implementing the provisions of the Biodiversity Act 2002. It is important to not only spread awareness but also ensure people’s participation to make the idea behind these provisions a success,” he added.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, also present at the function, expressed his pride in Goa being chosen as the site for launching this national campaign.
He acknowledged the remarkable efforts of the people of Goa in preserving biodiversity and emphasized the role of local communities in achieving success in this sector.
“The successes of Goa in this sector are the successes of the enthusiasm of the people on the ground. Government can only support local communities in their endeavour to preserve biodiversity, and therefore, every success belongs to the community,” Sawant said.
In addition to the campaign launch, an exhibition showcasing unique products from each Biodiversity Management Committee was inaugurated during the event.
