Gujarat Marks Biodiversity Day 2025 at Dang’s Eco Camp

Dang, Gujarat — Gujarat is celebrating International Biodiversity Day 2025 with a series of impactful events at the scenic Kilad Eco Tourism Camp Site in Waghai taluka of Dang district on May 22. Themed “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, the event focuses on preserving the rich biodiversity of Gujarat and encouraging communities to live in sync with the environment.

The celebration, organized by the Gujarat Biodiversity Board, includes special lectures, tree plantation drives, and an exhibition aimed at raising awareness about biodiversity threats and conservation methods. Representatives from 22 Village Level Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), along with taluka and district-level members, villagers, women, children, and experts in traditional Vedic ecological knowledge, are actively participating in the program.

“This initiative reflects Gujarat’s commitment to fostering sustainability and ecological balance in the face of rapid urbanization and climate challenges,” said a senior official from the Gujarat Biodiversity Board. “We’re here to send a clear message—conservation is not optional, it is essential.”

The state is facing increasing ecological stress due to deforestation, pollution, loss of wildlife habitats, and the overexploitation of natural resources. These activities threaten countless species that form the intricate web of ecosystems. The extinction of even one species can destabilize the environment. This year’s theme emphasizes the urgent need to reestablish harmony between humanity and nature.

Gujarat’s Role in Biodiversity Conservation

The Gujarat Biodiversity Board, headquartered in Gandhinagar, plays a pivotal role in fostering local participation through the creation of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the grassroots level under the Biodiversity Act, 2002. These committees, aided by the Technical Support Group (TSG), document local biodiversity and traditional ecological knowledge in People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs).

In 2025, Gujarat made significant strides by declaring the Inland Mangrove Forest in Guneri village, Kutch as the state’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). Another proposed BHS—the Natural Mango Forest near Chinchli village in Dang—is currently under review.

To further spread awareness, the board has conducted 5 workshops and broadcasted 41 biodiversity awareness radio programs across districts. These initiatives aim to promote grassroots participation and celebrate ecological milestones.

A Global Perspective on Biodiversity Day

The origin of International Day for Biological Diversity traces back to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted. The CBD officially came into force on December 29, 1993, but the United Nations later designated May 22 for global observance due to logistical convenience.

India, along with over 190 countries, is a signatory to this agreement, which emphasizes three core goals: conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit-sharing of biodiversity resources.