Moot Green Parliament raises awareness on environmental issues among students

A moot Green Parliament aimed at raising awareness on environmental conservation as well as parliamentary proceedings among students was organised by Kudremukh Wildlife Division of the Forest Departme

A moot Green Parliament aimed at raising awareness on environmental conservation as well as parliamentary proceedings among students was organised by Kudremukh Wildlife Division of the Forest Department in collaboration with Rostrum Speakers Club of Alvas Educational Institutions in Moodbidri on Tuesday.

Students from seven colleges in Dakshina Kannada representing various Ministerial portfolios in Parliament discussed the issues relating to environment ranging from biodiversity conservation, road widening projects, felling trees, human-animal conflicts to the use of chemical fertilisers. The Biological Diversity Bill 2002 was passed with three amendments in Parliament. According to the Bill, a national biodiversity authority and a State biodiversity board will be constituted.

Refuting the charge by Leaders of the Opposition that artificial cultivation of medicinal plants will lead to decline in medicinal values, the Health Minister said that mass cultivation using tissue culture will not only help regenerate potency but will also help retain the vast tracts of forest area intact. He said that only 25% of medicinal value will be lost in the process which is negligible.