Port Blair, June 11: The Member of Parliament, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma with a view to commemorate 50th World Environment Day and to spread awareness about conservation of nature amongst the youngsters and citizens of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands organised a trek on 11th June 2023 at 7 am to Mount Manipur National Park (formerly known as Mount Harriet National Park). Around 200 youngsters which included Army & Navy NCC cadets and youths from different parts of the Islands participated in the event.
On the way to Mt. Manipur, officials from the forest department made the participants aware about the various species of plants and trees found enroute and about the national parks and sanctuaries in the Islands.
Upon reaching the top, an awareness session was organised wherein the participants were explained about the various facets of environment protection, especially when Global Warming has become a rising threat.
The Member of Parliament said the world acknowledges and recognizes Andaman & Nicobar Islands as one of the greatest examples of rich biodiversity and his motive to organise this trek involving youths was to inculcate interest and to provide them with the opportunity to know and learn more about the various aspects of our rich environment, biodiversity and to understand the importance to conserve and protect it. He also said such trekking experiences would motivate the youths towards better health and physical fitness.
He expressed his concern about the climatic & environmental changes taking place in the Islands. He said that the late arrival of South-West monsoon this year, which nearly caused a drought like situation in the Islands wherein the Islanders were supplied with drinking water after a span of 8-10 days is the consequence of the man-made environmental imbalances.
Sharma emphasized that Andaman & Nicobar Islands has approximately 86% of forest cover which is home to 200 species of endemic and 150 species of migrant birds, butterflies & animals besides very rich coral reefs, mangroves and marine life and encouraged the youths present to preserve the rich heritage of nature that God has blessed us with in abundance.
Several eminent organizations and personalities of the Islands who are working continuously and dedicatedly towards the conservation of Island biodiversity and Flora & Fauna such as Commanding Officer Army NCC Lt. Col. Pankaj Modgil, Commanding Officer Naval NCC Lt. Cdr Ankit Pant, Dr.Lal Ji Singh, Director, Botanical Survey of India, Mr. B Sumit Kumar Rao and his team from Zoological Survey of India, Mr. Sumit Prajapati and his team From Wildlife Institute of India, Mr. Anand Rao & other representatives of Dakshin Foundation, Representatives of Nature Conservation Foundation, Mr. Arun Singh and his team from Andaman Avians Club Port Blair and Mr. Denis Gilles, Journalist & Nature Enthusiast also addressed the young crowd briefing them about the various treasures of flora & fauna around us and encouraged them to preserve the rich biodiversity of our Islands.
Pamphlets & brochures containing information regarding various species birds, reptiles, amphibians and the flora & fauna found in the Islands were distributed to the participants by the various organisations.
On this occasion an oath was taken under the initiative “Udne Do Humein” to safeguard birds and not to kill them.
The youngsters present there took keen interest in learning about our Environment & its protection and raised slogans to save the ‘Mother Nature’ while successfully completing the trek to the third highest peak & national park of the Islands.