ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore celebrated World Biodiversity Day-2018 on 23 may, 2018 very fervently at
Head Quarter, Barrackpore. The main objective of the programme was to create awareness among the
scientists, research scholars, young professionals, technical personnel, administrative staff, trainee
students at CIFRI on various aspects of conservation of biodiversity especially aquatic ones for future
human beings and the ecosystems. Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore welcomed the
guests at CIFRI and expressed his concern about conservation needs of Indian biodiversity as a whole and
aquatic biodiversity in inland open water system in particular. CIFRI has been doing untiring works
towards biodiversity conservation in almost all riverine systems of India, he reiterated. Dr. V. R. Suresh,
Head, REF Division stressed on the aspect of eco-conservation of riverine flora and fauna including fish
and urge that there should have some holistic approach to sustain riverine biodiversity across India. Dr.
B. P. Mohanty, Head, FREM Division elaborated the impact of pollution on small indigenous fish species
belonging to rivers. Shri Rajeev Lal, CAO, ICAR-CIFRI showed his concern about non-biodegradable
items being used for human kinds and how they are causing detrimental effect on our biodiversity. Dr.
Arun Padiyar P, Project Coordinator, Odisha World Fish Project, the Guest of Honour of this program
raised issues related to ecological integrity of inland open waters and necessary conservation measures to
be adopted involving all sections of people. In his key note address, Dr. Jose T Mathew, IFS, Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal looking after Research, Monitoring & Development
aspects, who is the Chief Guest of this program elaborated the basic principles of biodiversity
conservation in the present perspective of socio-political scenario. He pointed out that the role of students
and youths of India towards biodiversity conservation has been immense and urge them to come forward
to work together at tandem with different Govt. organaizations, entrepreneurs, NGOs selflessly for
betterment of green world involving protection of natural resources including rivers, forest and their flora
and fauna in a sustainable manner. Observance of such days does not have any meaning if not
meticulously followed the inner understanding of this important programs for betterment of human
civilization in a serene earth, he presumed. The program was attended by 34 M.Sc. Zoology students of
PKR Memorial College (PG), Dhanbad, Jharkhand undergoing training at ICAR-CIFRI. Shri K. L.
Manjhi, Chief General Manager and Shri R. K. Chowdhury, Regional Manager, MP Fisheries Federation
also took part. The programme was well coordinated by Dr. A. K. Das, I/C, E&T Cell, ICAR-CIFRI. The
programme is concluded with vote of thanks followed by National Anthem.
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