Biodiversity conservation definitely starts from the ground level. Appreciating efforts of a few environmentally conscious citizens, Sukuki Exnora in association with Janamitra, Prakriti Mitra, Blue Cross of Hyderabad and AP Biodiversity Board held the ‘Aam Aadmi’ awards at the Convention on Biodiversity on Thursday.
Calling them “Extraordinarily Ordinary”, the organisers conferred the awards on four citizens __ Subhash Chandra Reddy for his role in water conservation, Sri Swamy Swayam Bhagwan Das for his role in animal conservation, as he saved 40,000 animals from being sacrificed at the Poleramma Jathara, Gita Dendukuri, asst professor in the Agriculture department and an environmentalist for her role in plant biodiversity conservation and Venkat Raju for plant biodiversity conservation.
He is said to have protected over 7-8 varieties of endemic species and can also identify 1000 species of plants, birds, fishes and butterflies. Prizes were also given away to over 40 school students, who were winners of the Envi Quiz 2012, which was held earlier this year. Minister for Labour Danam Nagender, Chantal Robichaud from the CBD Secretariat, GV Prasanna Kumar, director of National Green Corps were present on the occasion.
“This is a very nice initiative to encourage people of the civil society, academia, schools and other organisations, that are actively working on raising public awareness on biodiversity,” said Chantal Robichaud. While minsiter Danam Nagender said, “It gives me pleasure to be here. It’s a good opportunity for our children to be a part of this convention and all of us have to take initiatives to play a role in educating children right from the school level.”
Reflecting cultural biodiversity, volunteers from the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and a few Indian students performed a small cultural dance and also sang a Hussain Sagar Lake themed version of Kolaveri Di.