Mangaluru: International Day for Biological Diversity was celebrated at Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisarga Dhama with the theme, ‘mainstreaming biodiversity; sustaining people and their livelihood’ on Wednesday, May 25.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Forest, Environment and Biodiversity B Ramanath Rai said that biodiversity is the most important part of human life. Certain Acts in India are invoked to protect biodiversity such as the Forest Act, Wild Life Protection Act and others.

“Nowadays, a lot of people are harming biodiversity knowingly or unknowingly. Programmes like these should reach those people. Biodiversity department should organise programmes keeping those people in mind,” he said.

Dakshina Kannada MP Naleen Kumar Kateel said that India is the only country which worships nature.

“We see god almighty in all his creations. If we cut one tree, we should replace it with hundred plants. Moreover, these programmes should reach all the people and motivate them to protect nature,” he added.

Karnataka Biodiversity Board President R M N Sahay said that it is difficult to conserve biodiversity by the government only and people also should join their hands with the government for the cause.

K V Gururaj, Dr Pushpa H K, Kudluthota Ramesh were felicitated for their significant achievement in the field of biodiversity.

R K Singh, Secretary of Karnataka Biodiversity Board, Mohammad Monu, President of Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat, Shivananda Moorthy, Professor in Fisheries College and others were present.