World Environment Day was celebrated on 5th June, 2020 by ICAR-CIBA using digital platform. The theme of this year Environment Day was Biodiversity and the topic was selected considering loss of natural resources due to several anthropogenic activities and natural calamities. The programme was presided by Dr K.K. Vijayan, the Director and Dr C. Suvarna, IFS, Commissioner of Fisheries, Govt of Telangana was the chief guest. Dr M. Muralidhar, Scientist In-charge, Environment Section, Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division welcomed the Chief guest and participants, and explained the idea behind World Environment Day celebration and this year theme.
Dr Vijayan, in his presidential address opined necessity of keeping environmental balancing between food production activities and sustainable use of natural resources. This would be possible only by departmental collaboration of various agencies involved in ecosystem services to develop a win-win situation. He further stressed on development of sustainable aquaculture in the un-used brackishwater resources for production of food and livelihood as the saline waters are not usable for any agricultural purpose, drinking or construction.
Dr Suvarna made an elaborate presentation on richness of Indian biodiversity, impact of anthropogenic activity such as industrial and domestic waste disposal on the pollution natural resources, water and soil. Further, she emphasised on undesired effect of introduction of foreign species and destructive impact on natural resources, stressing need of better understanding about the species to be introduced. She also narrated the available policies for protecting the natural resources, however improved participation by the public was emphasised. During the talk, over 100 participants including researchers, academicians and students placed queries and opinions, and the selected ones were discussed during interaction session. Dr S. Suvana, Scientist, ICAR-CIBA presented vote of thanks and the programme was moderated by Dr Satheesha Avunje, Scientist and Dr R Saraswathy, Principal Scientist. The digital platform Microsoft Teams has been hosted by J. Ashok Kumar considering the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Government of India.
