Sri Vijaya Puram, June 5: The Zoological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre and EIACP Centre on Island Biodiversity celebrated World Environment Day 2025 with a series of impactful activities culminating in a Valedictory Function on 5th June 2025 at the ZSI Auditorium. Prof. P. Prakash Babu, Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University, Puducherry was the Chief Guest for the valedictory function, besides Dr. Ramakrishna, Former Director, Zoological Survey of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India, Mrs. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS Secretary (Agriculture, AH&VS) A & N Islands, Dr. Lal Ji Singh, Additional Director, Botanical Survey of India, A & N Islands, Prof. S. Kannan, Chairperson, School of Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Madurai Kamaraj University was the special guests.
Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Additional Director, Zoological Survey of India welcomed the gathering and extended his sincere gratitude to all dignitaries and participants for accepting the invitation and being part of the World Environment Day 2025 celebrations. In his address, Dr. Sivaperuman emphasized that World Environment Day is a global platform to raise awareness and promote responsibility toward protecting Earth’s vital resources air, water, food, and climate.
Prof. P. Prakash Babu, Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, in his valedictory address, commended ZSI, ANRC for organizing a well-structured and impactful celebration of World Environment Day 2025. He appreciated the inclusion of competitions, youth participation, and scientific engagement which brought attention to pressing environmental issues. Prof. Prakash Babu highlighted that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, being relatively less polluted, have the potential to serve as a national model for ecological balance and responsible tourism. He emphasized the danger of microplastics, describing them as invisible yet harmful pollutants that have entered the food chain & food web and are potentially linked to severe health issues, including cancer, due to prolonged chemical exposure.
Dr. Ramakrishna, Former Director, Zoological Survey of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India delivered a powerful and insightful address, offering a comprehensive historical perspective on global environmental initiatives and India’s leadership in biodiversity research. He highlighted that over 9 billion tons of plastic have been produced globally since 1950, underscoring the growing crisis of plastic pollution and its irreversible impact on ecosystems. The speaker traced the origins of World Environment Day to the 1972 Stockholm Conference, which led to the formation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He elaborated on the Brundtland Commission (1983) which introduced the concept of sustainable development, integrating environmental care with social and economic priorities. He further explained the evolution from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015, focusing on poverty eradication, education, and ecological resilience.
Mrs. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture, AH&VS) A & N Islands in her address appreciated the ongoing conservation efforts by ZSI. Mrs. Pallavi Sarkar cited actual cases from veterinary hospitals, where cattle were found suffering due to ingestion of plastic waste, highlighting how plastic pollution has direct consequences on animal health and rural livelihoods. These incidents served as a powerful reminder that environmental degradation is not abstract, but a tangible crisis affecting daily life. Also urged participants especially young students and families to reduce plastic use starting from homes, schools, and daily practices.
Among the others who addressed the gathering were Dr. Lal Ji Singh, Additional Director, Botanical Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Prof. S. Kannan, Chairperson, School of Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai.
To celebrate World Environment Day, ZSI had organised Environmental Awareness Rally, Beach Cleaning Drive at Burmanallah and Beach Cleaning Drive at Campbell Bay.