India’s first bio-cultural park in Bhubaneswar soon
Posted 02 June 2011, by Staff, The Pioneer, dailypioneer.com
Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday announced here that his Ministry would establish a unique bio-cultural park, the first of its kind in India in Bhubaneswar.
Addressing the inaugural function of the new gallery on North East Biodiversity in the premises of the Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH) here Ramesh said that the proposed park would be set up in 10 acres of land within the next two-and-half years.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been requested to provide suitable land for the purpose. The park, he said would have different varieties of aromatic flower plants associated with different culture and having reflection of various religions in our secular traditions.
Various varieties of flowers used by tribals, Buddhists, Jains , Sikhs, Muslims , Christian and Hindu cultural and religious traditions will be planted in the park, he said adding that the park would be developed by the Union Government and after three years , it would be handed over to the State Government for management.
Stating that India has a very rich diversity of wild plant and animals and is considered as one of the mega diverse country out of seventeen mega diverse countries of the world,
Ramesh said that his Ministry was keen to develop the biodiversity hotspots and different ecosystems of Odisha highlighting the proposed biodiversity projects in Odisha, he said that MoEF would take appropriate steps to protect the important biodiversity of Odisha including Olive Ridley turtles and wetlands of this coastal State.
Inaugurating the North East Biodiversity Gallery in the RMNH premises, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the north eastern region comprising the seven sister States and Sikkim were endowed with pristine biological diversity which should be exhibited to the people “The new gallery in fact, added a new feather to the RMNH”, he said.
Stating that nature has endowed Odisha with rich biodiversity, Patnaik called upon to formulate strategies on integrated management for sustainable development, capacity building for conservation and management, research and monitoring , public awareness , community participation in conservation, cooperation and funding. Calling upon to work hard to achieve the goal of sustainable development encompassing economic growth, social equity and environmental sustainability, the Chief Minister said.
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