Absolutely Vital to Protect Biodiversity and Natural Resources: Smt Jayanthi Natarajan

Absolutely Vital to Protect Biodiversity and Natural Resources: Smt Jayanthi Natarajan
Green Haat 2013 “Connecting Nature to Our Lives”

The Minister of Environment & Forests Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan has stated that it is absolutely vital to protect the bio diversity and natural resources of the country. Speaking after visiting the various stalls at the “ Green Haat” here today , she said “ it is duty and absolutely vital to protect and promote the biodiversity of the country” . She further stated that it is absolutely essential to conserve natural resources and one way of doing it is to show case through organizing such “ Green Haat” . Such “ Haats” are attempt to capture some of our biodiversity and help to promote traditional knowledge of rare natural heritage , she added. The Minister assured the Rural Artisans, Community Self Help Groups and NGOs associated with this programme that the Ministry will continue to encourage such initiatives.

The Minister visited various stalls set up at the “ Haat” and interacted with the people associated with the programme. The “Green Haat, a fortnight long programme , is an initiative of Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF), to raise awareness on the rich forest and bio diverse heritage of the country among the growing urban population often living far off from the forests. The initiative is to showcase various value added forest based products developed by Rural Artisans, Community Self Help Groups, NGOs, and State Federations and thus provide support to biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Myriad herbal products from wild for healthy living, the bamboo craft, over 100 local varieties of paddy ; a rich diversity of minor millets and palate ticking cuisines that use a diversity of natural and organic products mark this year’s Green Haat. The “Green Haat” has its role in providing support and market linkages to bio-diverse products, so crucial to livelihood of communities in far-flung areas. This linkage is crucial from the standpoint of contribution in improving biodiversity based livelihood, and promoting social entrepreneurship.

India recently hosted 11th Conference of Parties (CoP-11) on Convention of Biological Diversity at Hyderabad. Strategic Plan and Aichi biodiversity targets 2020 are key to success of the Convention. Target 1 of the Aichi Biodiversity target is regarding creating awareness about values of biodiversity and the measures that can be taken for its conservation and sustainable use. The initiatives like “Green Haat” could have a significant role in creating awareness, and in promoting conservation and sustainable use of bio-diversity.

This year, the 15 days long Green Haat event is being organized at Dilli Haat from 16th to 31st January, 2013 engaging 10 states and some 55 organizations.

RM/RS