Thiruvananthapuram, May 24, 2026: Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) ne ek naya initiative launch kiya hai—‘Model Biodiversity-Friendly Villages’ project. Iske zariye biodiversity conservation ko grassroots development ke saath integrate karne ka plan hai. Yeh announcement 22 May ko Thiruvananthapuram mein hue high-level State workshop ke dauraan kiya gaya, jo International Day for Biological Diversity ke saath coincide kar raha tha. Workshop mein officials, policymakers, aur local institutions ke representatives ne Kerala bhar mein biodiversity conservation ko strengthen karne ke strategies par discuss kiya.
Workshop ke focus areas mein shamil the: climate-resilient agricultural biodiversity, nature-based solutions jaise wetland restoration aur native forest regeneration, aur ‘One Health’ approach—jo human, animal, aur environmental health ke interconnectedness par zyada zor deta hai. Participants ne local self-government institutions ke role par bhi highlight kiya, jo biodiversity ko grassroots level par manage aur sustain karne mein crucial hai. Discussions ka ek central theme tha local conservation efforts ko international aur national frameworks ke saath align karna, jaise Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, aur Kerala State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025-35.
Workshop ko inaugurate karte hue, Kerala ke Health aur Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan ne state government ke commitment ko zyada karne ki baat ki—projects jo environmental protection aur developmental activities ko harmonize karte hain. Unhone emphasize kiya ki local self-government bodies ke saath partnership mein biodiversity conservation programs ko zyada priority di jaayegi. Yeh approach, unhone kaha, ensure karega ki conservation efforts locally driven, sustainable, aur developmental needs ke saath aligned hon.
Workshop mein 14 district biodiversity management committees aur 45 model biodiversity management committees ke representatives ne active participation ki. Yeh committees local level par biodiversity conservation plans implement karne mein vital role play karte hain, ensuring ki initiatives har region ke ecological aur socio-economic context ke hisaab se tailor ki jaayein.
‘Model Biodiversity-Friendly Villages’ project ka expectation hai ki yeh dusre Indian states ke liye bhi ek model banega, dikhane ka kaise biodiversity conservation ko rural development ke saath integrate kiya ja sakta hai. Nature-based solutions ko promote karke aur government agencies, local bodies, aur communities ke beech collaboration ko badha kar, initiative ka aim hai Kerala ko biodiversity conservation mein desh ka leader banana.
KSBB ka initiative is baat ki growing recognition ko reflect karta hai ki biodiversity ka importance sirf ecological sustainability ke liye nahi, balki climate resilience aur public health ke liye bhi hai. Climate change ke increasing threats ke saath, aise integrated approaches Kerala ke rich biological heritage ko safeguard karne aur sustainable livelihoods ko support karne ke liye critical hain.
