VISAKHAPATNAM: Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Visakhapatnam on Thursday hosted a forest expo in collaboration with the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Coastal Ecosystem Centre (CEC) and the Eastern Ghats Biodiversity Centre, to mark the International Day of Forests.
International Day of Forests is observed on March 21 to raise awareness about the importance of forests and their conservation.
Highlighting this year’s theme, “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World”, the expo focused on the need for creative approaches to address challenges like deforestation and unsustainable land management.
The event showcased diverse exhibits, including wood blocks representing local tree varieties, along with an exhibit highlighting Visakhapatnam district’s mangrove diversity. Handmade sustainable products crafted by Visakhapatnam’s sole tribal group were also made available, demonstrating collaborative efforts to preserve forest ecosystems.
Led by DFO Anant Shankar, the Vizag Forest Department established a seed bank to understand the Eastern Ghats’ biodiversity. Currently, the seed bank houses 93 varieties, including Nuxvomica, Annatto seeds, Achyranthes Aspera, Saraswati leaf, and Ashwagandha