World Environment Day 2020

The World Environment Day 2020 was observed at the Botanical Garden of MSSRF in Wayanad by inaugurating an Ex-situ conservatory of Humboldtia Tree species followed with an on-line discussion on the theme ‘Time for Nature’. The Humboldtia garden project is supported by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) with the objective to collect, catalogue, characterize and conserve the Western Ghats endemic species of Humboldia species. Globally Humboldtia is so far known only with nine taxa and all are confined to the Western Ghats! The present project is for multiplication of five species of the genus which are seen in Kerala.MSSRF will develop suitable propagation protocols for multiplication, and strategies for re-introduction of the propagules with help of the forest department. Scientifically designed and executed species introduction would help to improve the wild populations of the genus Humboldtia.

The Humboldtia garden was inaugurated by Meppadi Range Forest Officer (RFO) K. Baburaj. He also released the brochure on a training programme in Plant taxonomy.
The webinar conducted for students and teachers of Kerala with lead discussants’ Dr N. Anil Kumar, Dr JafarPalot, Dr V. Shakeela, V. V. Sivan and C. K. Vishnudas was attended by 50 participants. Following two major recommendations emerged from the discussion:

The webinar conducted for students and teachers of Kerala with lead discussants’ Dr N. Anil Kumar, Dr JafarPalot, Dr V. Shakeela, V. V. Sivan and C. K. Vishnudas was attended by 50 participants. Following two major recommendations emerged from the discussion:

(i) Organizing children friendly Nature camps by undertaking scientifically designed field sessions for education on nature and biodiversity. MSSBG can partner with the Forest department to hold such camps annually.

(ii) The need for biodiversity augmentation of buffer areas of forests along with people’s medications especially those who live near forest fringes on the protection of wildlife and reduction of man-animal conflict is urgent. Thus, Biodiversity education and Nature Camps could be conducted with such kind of socially relevant themes.

All staff of CAbC participated in the day’s programme by following the regulations of COVID 19 protocol. The team will be working on the successful implementation of the project inaugurated and mobilizing resources for reviving the “Every Child A Scientist Programme’’.

Organizing team: Jithin. M. M., Binesh M. K., Satheesh K. T., and Dileep K.