Indian Biodiversity Congress to begin from Sunday

BANGALORE: Here is your chance to learn and understand the much talked about sensitive biodiversity of Western Ghats and the challenges faced to conserve the flora and fauna of the Ghats. To sensitize the public, government and other stake holders about the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity of Western Ghats, 2nd Indian Biodiversity Congress(IBC 2012) & Expo has been organized in the city from December 9-11.

IBC 2012 will be inaugurated on December 9 at the J N Tata Auditorium, Indian Institute of Science( IISC) by union minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Veerappa Moily. On December 8, another part of the event-Indian Biodiversity Expo-will be inaugurated at the Veterinary College Ground, Hebbal.

The IBC 2012 will witness to speakers of eminence, including Prof. Madhav Gadgil, Chairman, Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, Dr V B Mathur of Wildlife Institute of India, Dr Michel Danino, Prof. M P Nayar, former director, Botanical survey of India, Dr R R Rao, INSA Honorary Scientist etc.

"We are trying to bring all the stake holders together and give this issue an inclusive and sustainable approach. This will be a one-stop opportunity for nature lovers to understand the various challenges of biodiversity of Western Ghats. The rate at which we are losing our species is alarming and once the diversity is lost we can't do anything to sustain it," said Dr Vaman Acharya, chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board(KSPCB) on Friday.

He also said that many of the 14-recommendations for conservation of Western Ghats, which was submitted to the state government last week, are feasible. "Mining in the forests is already banned, but we can't ban stone mining as it is a major source of livelihood for the locals," said Vaman Acharya.

IBC 2012 will also have several special events. On December 10, Children's Biodiversity Conclave will be inaugurated. On December 11, a special session on National strategy on medicinal and aromatic plants conservation, use and cultivation will be held.