IMPHAL, May 22: The Manipur Biodiversity Board organized the International Day of Biological Diversity 2012 at the Manipur Zoological Garden Iroisemba today.
The observation was attended by Addl Principal Chief Conservator of Forests DC Karnatak, Chief Conservator of Forests N Kipgen and Associate Professor of Manipur University Dr PK Singh and Dr Asha Gupta as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Dr Asha Gupta said, “We need to save the biodiversity. However, it would not be intelligent on the part of the humans to depend too much on it.”
“People are depending too much on biodiversity in order to survive by way of deforestation, pollution as it is negatively affecting the bio-diversity,” she added.
Dr Gupta further said, “There are 45000 different species of plants in the country and is one of the 34 hottest spots of biodiversity in the world. Manipur also houses several endangered species of animals and plants, and it is time for both the local public and the government to understand the issue.”
N Kipgen who presided over the function said, “Humans are the worst enemies of biodiversity.”
He further said that the state forest department and ecological department have taken up a collective effort to save the flaura and fauna of the state.
DC Karnatak said, “People should also cooperate with the government in its effort to save the endangered species. People should find alternative ways and avoid cutting of woods which leads to deforestation.”