Harsh Vardhan stresses on Green Good Deeds to strengthen biodiversity

New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS) Emphasising that the Green Skill Development Programme will go a long way in reaping demographic dividends for the country, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday stressed on the need for societal awareness programmes like Green Good Deeds to strengthen biodiversity.

While releasing the 6th National Report to the Convention of Biological Diversity on the 13th National Meeting of the State Biodiversity Boards, the Minister said the takeaways from the report should be delivered to the people of India. 

He suggested to officials of different states participating in the conference to develop new ideas and adopt brainstorming methods to strengthen biodiversity for the benefit of the society. 

"We need to develop ideas, innovations, then convert them into programmes for societal benefit. And then also review and monitor them at the end of the year at such meetings. 

"I would like to use this occasion to appeal to people to talk about things to strengthen biodiversity. By 2020, a significant proportion of the population especially the youth, will be aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably," Harsh Vardhan said. 

He said biodiversity has environmental, social, cultural, economic and intrinsic values essential for human wellbeing and existence. 

The Minister emphasised the need to make people aware about the Green Good Deeds programme to help them understand the values of biodiversity. 

"Societal awareness is necessary for this. If we talk to people in schools and society about biodiversity and tell them what they can do for it, things will change," he said. 

Green Good Deeds is a societal movement to protect environment and promote good living in the country.

"The Green Good Deeds movement was started last year and in the beginning of this year we contacted over 25,000 people and various organisations. This movement is now gaining everyone's attention," he added. 

Harsh Vardhan stressed on the need to move from the "mechanical to human level" to protect the environment. 

He said India is working hard for achieving the 175 gigawatt target for installed renewable energy capacity by 2022. "The effect of increased use of renewable energy is now visible in India."