Monday, May 22, 2017 Location:Assam
The Assam State Biodiversity Board celebrated the “International Day for Biological Diversity” on 22nd May, 2017 on the theme of “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism” at the Office of Divisional Forest Officer, Parbatjhora Division, Suparighat, Kokrajhar District, Assam. This function was jointly organized by Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB) and the Assam Forest Department. The event was sponsored by National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Chennai. Sri R. C. Goswami, IFS (Rtd.), Expert Member-ASBB was the Chief Guest of the function.
The other dignitaries on the dais included Sri D. Mathur IFS, Chairman - Assam State Biodiversity Board, Sri A. Swargowary IFS, Addl. PCCF & Council Head of Department, Forests, BTAD, Sri Jaideep Baruah, Senior Scientific Officer & Head In-Charge, Environment Division, Assam State Technology & Environment Council (ASTEC) and Dr. C. Ramesh IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Parbatjhora Division.
Sri D. Mathur IFS welcomed the guests and the gathering. Sri Jaideep Baruah, Senior Scientific Officer, ASTEC made an introductory address explaining the significance of the theme of the function: “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism”. Sri R.C. Goswami, IFS (Rtd.) Expert Member-ASBB gave a Chief Guest address.
The function was also attended by Conservator of Forests, all local Divisional Forest Officers, Assistant Conservator of Forests and Range Forest officers of the Forests Department. Representatives of Educational institutions, NGOs, President & Members of Village Council Development Committees (VCDC), Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) members, Gaonburahs and Members of Biodiversity Management Committees, Officers of Army, CRPF & BSF, School children and local people.
As a part of the celebration, drawing, painting, slogan writing and essay writing competition were organized among the school children for generating awareness amongst the school children on 13th & 15th May 2017. Over 3062 school children from 57 different government school participated in the competitions.
Address by Dignitaries: Sri R.C. Goswami, IFS (Rtd.), Expert Member-ASBB, Sri D. Mathur IFS, Chairman - Assam State Biodiversity Board and Sri. Jaideep Baruah, Senior Scientific Officer & Head In-Charge, Environment Division, Assam State Technology & Environment Council (ASTEC). Master Arman Rounak S. of Class V, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Panbari gave an excellent speech on Biodiversity Conservation.
Release of Newsletter: The first issue of ASBB's biannual Newsletter titled "Amulya Jaibabaichitra" was released by Sri D. Mathur IFS, Chairman, ASBB.
Distribution of Prizes: The Drawing and Painting Competitions were conducted for Class I to V -Lower Primary (LP) School and Class VI- VIII – Middle Education (ME) School; Slogan Writing and Essay Writing competitions were conducted for ME and High School (Class IX – XII). More than 3000 students from 57 schools participated in the competitions. The details of participants and prizes distributed are as follows:
Competition | Total Participants | Level | Prizes |
---|---|---|---|
Drawing | 1057 | LP | 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Consolation Prizes |
ME | 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Consolation Prizes | ||
Painting | 709 | LP | 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Consolation Prizes |
ME | 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Consolation Prizes | ||
Essay Writing | |||
a) Assamese | 364 | ME | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes |
High | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes | ||
b) Bodo | 81 | ME | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes |
High | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes | ||
c) English | 24 | ME | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes |
High | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes | ||
Slogan Writing | |||
a) Assamese | 562 | ME | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes |
High | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes | ||
b) Bodo | 143 | ME | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes |
High | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes | ||
c) Bengali | 7 | High | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes |
d) Hindi | 8 | High | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes |
e) English | 113 | ME | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes |
High | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prizes | ||
Total | 3062 | 58 Prizes |
Plantation: After the main event, ceremonial plantation was done by invited guests, forest officials and local villagers.
Seeds & Seedling Distribution: The programme ended with the free distribution of rare species of seedlings in a biodegradable non-oven cloth bag and seeds of valuable trees species were distributed in packets to the general public.