Chhattisgarh hosts high-level workshop to boost biodiversity and wetland conservation efforts

In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, a high-level workshop was organised on Monday at Dandakaranya Aranya Bhawan in Nava Raipur to promote the conservation of biodiversity and wetlands in Chhattisgarh.

The event saw the participation of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, Leader of Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant, Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, along with Cabinet Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the state’s vision of development cannot be fulfilled without preserving ecological balance. He called upon public representatives and citizens to join the state’s biodiversity and wetland protection campaign as ‘Wetland Mitras’, encouraging mass participation to turn the initiative into a people’s movement.

“Conserving biodiversity and maintaining environmental balance are fundamental to our vision of a developed Chhattisgarh,” the Chief Minister said, urging all to take personal responsibility for protecting natural resources.

Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap, who presided over the workshop, underscored the long-term importance of biodiversity protection. “This is not just an environmental necessity but a matter of safeguarding our future generations,” he said, appealing to all MLAs to actively spread awareness and become ambassadors of the Wetland Mitra initiative.

During the session, Chhattisgarh Biodiversity Board Chairman Rakesh Chaturvedi gave a detailed presentation on national and international conservation frameworks. He referred to the 1992 Earth Summit, India’s Biological Diversity Act of 2002, and the functioning of Biodiversity Management Committees. He noted that Chhattisgarh is currently the third leading state in India in effectively operationalising such committees.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Arun Kumar Pandey elaborated on the ecological significance of wetlands. He outlined the role of the State Wetland Authority and district-level committees in ensuring long-term conservation. He also informed that the Gidhwa-Parsada Bird Sanctuary qualifies for designation as an international Ramsar site, while the process is underway to declare Khokhra village in Balodabazar as Chhattisgarh’s first official Ramsar site.

Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) Richa Sharma, Head of Forest Force V. Shreenivasa Rao, and Biodiversity Board Secretary Rajesh Kumar Chandele, were also present.

The event concluded with a collective appeal to all elected officials and civil servants to enrol as Wetland Mitras and support the conservation movement. The initiative is expected to build a strong public partnership to protect the state's rich ecological heritage.