India Creates Biosphere Preserve

India's Union Minister for Environment and Forest has just announced the creation

of a bio-diversity corridor to protect the Shivalik Hill region which will include parts of 5 states including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand. The Minister, Jairam Ramesh, said that the interstate biosphere reserve will be the first of its kind. The corridor was created chiefly to prevent unregulated mining of sand and stone, which has caused extensive damage, and to preserve the many species of fauna and flora in the region.

Ramesh stressed the cultural and geologic importance of the region, and also stated that the area will not be off-limits to mining, but that mining will be regulated in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. A committee will be created to oversee the management of resources and will devise sustainable economic development plans for the region. Ramesh admitted that there is likely to be strong opposition from the mining companies who currently operate in the Shivalik Hills, but also said, "...the time has come to take this initiate forward".

The program was based on a proposal by the state of Punjab which asked for protection of the sensitive eco-system of the area.

Ramesh also informed reporters of other recent efforts to preserve India's biodiversity. The elephant has been designated as the Natural Heritage Animal of India to join the tiger which has already received National Animal status, and the Ganges river dolphin has been named National Aquatic Animal. These designations are designed to further protect these threatened species.

Another big concern to India's ecology is bio-piracy. The Minister announced that there is a danger to India's native species from the USA and countries in Europe who are seeking to patent many of India's resources including basmati rice, turmeric and some of the medicinal plants used in traditional Indian herbal medicine. Ramesh warned of a "grave threat" to the country's resources posed by bio-piracy.

These bold initiatives are an indication that India is beginning to take serious measures to preserve and protect its rich and diverse eco-systems. For those traveling to India or who have friends or relatives there, cheap calls to India are available from a number of telecom providers. Call India for pennies a minute and stay connected to your contacts there 24/7.

India Creates Biosphere Preserve

By: Adrian Fisher

POST COMMENT

Emergence And Rise Of Call Centers In India Hire Joomla Experts From India National Translation Mission In India For Translation Push Further Movement In India Preventing Agrarian Distress in 100 Identified Districts of India Angiography India: All About The Procedure You Should Know The Glory of Indian Silk Sarees Executive Search India Hysteroscopic Septum Resection In India Comes With International Standard And Low Cost Laparoscopic Salpingostomy India, Laparoscopic Salpingostomy Performed India Five Reasons For You To Fly For Maxillomandibular Osteotomy In India Low Cost Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery In India Bears Good Outcome For Overseas Patients Best cooling towers in india