Conservation of Natural Resources

We should be grand of our countrys natural bounty and remarkable bio-diversity. India is amongst the rare countries where major biomes of the world are represented. India is nonpareil among the twelve countries where 60-70% of the worlds total biodiversity exists. India has deuce out of the 18 biodiversity hot spots in the world. India has rich traditional issueledge and wisdom in the saving of character and natural resources. Religious beliefs, polish and folklore give together treated nature and milieu with sanctity.Conservation and protection of purlieu and love for nature have al styluss been part and parcel of Indian ethos and culture. Independent India has traveled a long way on the path of progress and industrialization in order to achieve soften quality of life. We have accelerated the process of victimization without considering the adverse extend to on nature and environment. The development without care for environment has posed threats to the very existence of life itself. like a shot the realization that mere progress and economic development cannot solve all(prenominal) our problems has increased. Development and environment should go hand in hand. Sustainable development is the new-made paradigm. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has drawn many programmes and policies to combat these problems. travel are being pissn to preserve the indigenous eco-systems through establishment of Wildlife Sanctuaries, home(a) Parks and Biosphere Reserves. much and newer areas are being brought into-the protected areas status.At the akin time, steps have been taken for welfare of the set people, particularly the tribals, who have lived in the forests for centuries and who are in addition repository of traditional knowledge on conservation and sustainable utilization. The National Museum of Natural History is an authorised institutional tool for spreading awareness on the evolution of our Universe and life on it. It has vie a strong and active role in creating environmental awareness. I am happy to place that the Museum has been active in creating such(prenominal) awareness hrough a emergence of educational programmes, exhibitions, nature camps etc. for more than two-and-a-half decades. Today, the Museum and its Regional Centres are recognized as the centres for non-formal environmental education. It is indeed a pleasure for all of us to be celebrating the 25th Year of the Foundation of the Museum. I am happy to see that a number of children have participated in various activities of the Museum. These activities will ease all of you in developing a spirit of environmental responsibility, which is so essential in our both day life.It is the absence of this responsibility which is causing problems on our streets, residential areas, market places and former(a) public places. This leaves you all responsible citizens of tomorrow, with a great burden to shoulder. notwithstanding I am confident that you have the faculty not merely of shouldering this burden but also influencing people much older to you in next environmental discipline. I wish the officers and staff of National Museum of Natural History the very best in their future endeavour. I would like to thank and hook Prof. Yash Pal who has delivered his Key-note on the relevant theme.We need such scientists who could contribute to spread scientific temper among peck which will eventually lead to betterment of their lives and better understanding of the delicate web of life that exists on this only planet known to sustain life. I congratulate the winners of Awards for Prevention of Pollution, Rajiv Gandhi Award for Clean applied science and Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar. The awardees for the best original writings in Hindoo on environmental issues also deserve my special appreciation for their efforts in popularization of environmental issues in the official languages.There is dearth of such publications in the regional la nguages. The Ministry will encourage other regional languages also which will help to take the environmental message to the grass root levels, crosswise the country. I am personally grateful to our Honble unrighteousness President, Thiru. Shekhawatji to have accepted the invitation to grace the occasion. I know that he is keenly interested in the issues link up to environment. His own State of Rajasthan is an example of all mode adversities, yet you can see maximum ring of all forms of life that exist there including those of swain citizens.