Nation's rich biodiversity on display

 The first-ever Indian Biodiversity Expo - 2012 (IBE, 2012) that was inaugurated on Saturday here showcases the rich heritage of the country’s natural resources.

The event has on display a variety of flora, fauna and also cultural artefacts at nearly 200 stalls.

The Indian Institute of Agricultural Research has a wide variety of medicinal plants and seeds like Ceiba Penandra and Casia Fistuala. “We want to concentrate on conservation of such medicinal plants, besides promoting and multiplying them by giving them out at a very less price,” said Souravi K, a PhD student of the Institute at the stall. 

Apart from it, an organic bazaar, exhibition of agro-biodiversity by farmers and civil society groups and handicrafts are the other features at the expo.

A special pavilion on the biodiversity heritage of the Western Ghats and another on Indian culture and biodiversity have also been recommended. 

Navdhanya chairperson Vandana Siva, ecologist Madhav Gadgil and other noted  speakers will address the gathering over the necessity of conserving the natural resources.

Health Minister Aravind Limbavali, Vaman Acharya, Chairperson, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Dr G G Gangadharan, Medical Director, Insitute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (IAIM) and Co-Chairman of IBE 2012 and Dr Suresh Kumar, professor, Centre for Ecological Science, IISc were present at the event.

The IBE - 2012 has been organised by Trivandrum-based Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), along with the Bangalore-based Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.