Patna: Environmental experts, scientists, and government officials gathered in Patna on Friday for a day-long consultation workshop aimed at shaping Bihar’s biodiversity strategy and action plan, with a focus on conserving ecosystems linked to the state’s rivers and wetlands.
The workshop, held at the Visvesvaraya Conference Room of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna, was organised by the Bihar State Biodiversity Board and presided over by its chairman, Bharat Jyoti.
Inaugurating the event, Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, voiced deep concern over the deteriorating state of Bihar’s biodiversity. She emphasised the importance of integrating indigenous species into biodiversity policy to reinforce local ecosystems.
Speakers at the workshop included P.K. Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests; Dr. D.K. Shukla, Chairman of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board; Dr. P.K. Jain, Director of NIT Patna; Yashpal Meena, Additional Secretary of the Water Resources Department; Seema Kumari, Chief Engineer and Director of WALMI Patna; and Dr. Ramashankar Jha, HAG Professor at NIT Patna.
Gupta presented insights on biodiversity conservation in the state’s rivers and wetlands, while Shukla highlighted rising pollution levels in water bodies and the threats they pose to biodiversity. Meena underscored the urgent need for integrated water resource management.
Participants engaged in detailed discussions on topics ranging from riverine ecosystems and wetland health to ecological flows, climate change impacts, and pollution. Divided into four thematic groups, they devised recommendations covering surface water conservation, biodiversity threats, pollution control measures, and sustainable water management amid urban development pressures.
Officials said the insights from the workshop would inform the formulation of Bihar’s comprehensive biodiversity strategy and action plan in the months ahead.
