Students participate in celebration of International Bio-Diversity Day at PGSC at Kapurthala.
Kapurthala, May 22, 2013: “India is the seventh largest country in the world and Asia’s second largest nation with an area of 3.29 million sq km. With only 2.5% of land area of the world, it accounts for 7.8% of the global recorded species especially because of its varied physiography, diverse climatic conditions and a variety of habitats. It is one of the top 12 mega biodiversity countries and has 4 of 35 biodiversity hot spots areas are Western Ghats, Himalayas, Sundalands and Indo-Burma (Nicobar Island). The country is estimated to have 49,000 plant species and 81,000 animal species representing 12.5% of the world’s flora and 6.6% of its fauna”, said Dr. Neelama Jerath, Executive Director, Punjab State council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh on the occasion of celebration of International Bio-Diversity Day at PGSC.
Dr. Jerath further stated, that Punjab has a very small area under forest cover (about 6% of the total geographical area). The major forest areas in the state are- Shivalik Forests (especially in the districts of Ropar, Gurdaspur and Hoshiapur), Bir Forests (in district Patiala) and Mand Forests (in districts Amritsarand Kapurthala).With about 84% land area under agriculture, the cropland ecosystem forms the dominant ecosystem in the state. The state was known to harbour great genetic variability; however, over the years this has reduced due to change in cropping pattern and higher dependence on certain high yielding varieties of crops. Though large scale biodiversity studies have not been carried out in the state, yet, a large number of flora and fauna has been recorded from the forest areas and wetlands.
Dr. I.S Dua, Ex- Chairman, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh who was also present, said that the condition of our global environment has become a matter of grave concern to the World Community in recent years.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. R.S Khandpur, Director General Science City said that, the ongoing trend of setting the wheat/paddy straw on fire after harvesting the crops not only causes air pollution but also affects adversely the fertility of the soil posing health hazards majorly eliminating rare and native species of animals and plants from their foot holds. It was the call of the day to save and protect rare species in the fields of Punjab as the unprecedented usage of chemicals fertilizers and insecticide were the reasons behind the destruction of our rare species. Due to massive induction of high technology, chemical fertilizers, insecticides, over-exploitation of soil and water, biodiversity of Punjab is undergoing an irreparable change. Painting, Science Drama and Photography competition were organised by Science City to mark the celebration of Bio-diversity Day.
Result of the competition---
Science Drama: Shri Guru Harkishan Public School has won first prize, second prize has been achieved by Rayat International School SBS Nagar and Third prize went to DR.DAV Public School Phillour.
Painting: Chetan Jot Kaur from Guru Harkishan Public School RCF Kapurtala Stood first, Jashan Deep Kaur from Guru Harkishan Public School RCF Kapurtala has got second prize and third prize bagged to Gurjit Singh from Guru Nanak Public School Dham Kapurthala.
Photography: Sakshi Jain from Rayat International SBS Nagar has Clinched the first prize, Second prize went to Harman Deep Singh from SPS International Begowal and Bhart Kalia from Tagor Model Senior Secondary School Nakoder third.