International conference on biodiversity; workshop on traditional health practices

SHILLONG: St. Anthony's College, in joint collaboration with the Bio Resource Development Centre, the Planning Department, Government of Meghalaya and the Zoological Survey of India, launched a two-day international conference on 'Biodiversity and Conservation-cum-workshop on Traditional Health Practices and Medicines' on Wednesday.

James P K Sangma, Minister of Forest and Environmental Resources and Health and Family Welfare Department, was the chief guest of the event and inaugurated the programme. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the commitment of his government towards biodiversity conservation through use of technology such as hyper structural imaging in developing the heat map on the richness of the biodiversity in the state. He stressed biodiversity as a backbone towards building green funds and carbon credits and thereby participating in the new economic order. He lauded the role of MBMA in educating the community towards conservation initiatives, especially in the Garo Hills. He shared testimonies on the benefits of traditional healing and medicines, especially in the far-flung regions of the state where often these traditional healers are the primary relief point. He asserted the commitment of his government towards standardizing the traditional medicine ractices in the state.

Dr Dhriti Bannerjee, Director of Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, delivered the keynote address and highlighted the north-eastern culture and conservations as an important aspect of traditional lifestyle. She lauded the youth to rise above the "not in my backyard" syndrome and become neo conservationist and strive to integrate nature and economy. The two-days event will showcase traditional medicines from the different parts of the state. A health camp will also be organized, stated a press release.

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