ASBB marks International Day with call for harmony with nature, sustainable future

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 24, 2025

The Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB) commemorated the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on Thursday with a powerful message: sustainable development is only possible when we live in harmony with nature.

Held at the NEDFi House Auditorium in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and the National Biodiversity Authority, the event aligned with the United Nations’ annual observance on May 22, which marks the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992.

This year’s theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” served as a reminder of the critical connections between biodiversity conservation and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The campaign also spotlighted the shared goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), underlining the need for integrated global action as part of the Pact for the Future.

ASBB brought the theme to life by involving young minds through painting, quiz, and speech competitions for schoolchildren across Assam, aiming to foster early awareness and responsibility toward biodiversity.

The main function drew over 100 participants, including forest officials, conservationists, educators, and students, reflecting broad community engagement. M.K. Yadava, Special Chief Secretary (Forests), presided as Chief Guest, alongside other key figures such as H. Mishra, CEO of ACCMS, Anurag Singh, Member Secretary of ASBB, and expert members Dr. P.C. Bhattacharjee and Dr. S.K. Borthakur.

Dr. Narayan Sharma, Assistant Professor at Cotton University, delivered a keynote presentation on the theme, emphasizing the urgent need for ecological balance in development planning.

Winners of the various student competitions were awarded prizes and certificates during the function, which also featured the release of a significant booklet titled “Threatened Flora and Fauna of Assam – A Compilation from Existing Records.”

Throughout the event, discussions reinforced that a healthy environment is not optional—it is the foundation of a thriving society. ASBB called for collective, sustained action to protect Assam’s rich biodiversity and secure a future that respects and thrives in nature’s balance.