India

The Ministry of Environment and Forests of the Government of India encouraged Governments of all Federal States, Centres of Excellence, and other concerned agencies, to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, inter alia, by making use of the posters and other materials made available on the CBD website. Some of the activities undertaken in India include:

Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) organized a public meeting on this year’s theme to celebrate the IBD. The meeting was inaugurated by the State Agriculture Minister, and presided over by the Chairman, KSBB.

The Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board hosted a conference on the theme of Biodiversity and Agriculture on 22nd May, 2008 in the state capital, Lucknow.

The Manipur State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) organized interviews and talks with experts on agricultural biodiversity, especially for the farmers, which were broadcast on All India Radio, Imphai, in local language. The MSBB also organized a panel discussion on the television. Articles on the theme in both English and vernacular language were publicshed in local newspapers, free entry was provided to school children to Manipur Zoological Garden in the state capital of Imphal.

The Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, organized a meeting to celebrate the Day, in which a key note address on this year’s theme ‘Biodiversity and Agriculture’ was delivered.

The CPR Environmental Education Centre, a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India organized a number of events on the occasion in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. There include: an awareness programme for the benefit of Iambada tribal community in Medak, Andhra Pradesh; a training programme for women and farmers in Belur, Karnataka; a workshop for small farmers in Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu; and a lecture in collaboration with Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) at Port Blair.

Gujarat Science City organized various activities to celebrate IBD. In collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Gujarat Science City started a unique programme of DNA Clubs – clubs that provide hands-on training for children, lectures by eminent experts, field visits to national institutes engaged in biotechnology research and nature walks – for the promotion of bioscience and bioresources among the school curriculum. The DNA Clubs in different regions of the state and country are going to be the principal vehicles to stimulate vast awareness and sensitization on the various aspects of environment degradation and to enhance public attention and policymaker's action.

As a part of the DNA Club activities, Gujarat Science City organized a four week vacation training programme for school children in April/May that allowed participants to use their skills learned in the classroom to understand better and serve their community and environment. The students are also encouraged to conduct small research projects, visit important bioresource places, interact with eminent scientists of the field and conduct surveys, interviews, project works and reports.

The celebration also included an illustrative poster exhibition on the theme, student's competitions and hands-on activities, interaction with scientists and screening of biodiversity movies, seeds rangoli, nature treasure hunts, and a puppet show. The programmes and activities inspire curiosity and provide a life long learning and experiences.