Thiruvananthapuram: As part of World Earth Day celebrations, Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) organised ‘Bioshield – Green Commitment Programme’ at Thiruvananthapuram Zoo-Museum compound. This year’s Earth Day was observed as part of the Green-1000 project, which involves planting rare and endangered plants and fruit trees in the compounds of major institutions in Thiruvananthapuram city, using CSR funds from Adani International Airport.The programme was inaugurated by M C Dathan, who emphasised the need to raise public awareness about environmental and biodiversity conservation, reducing pollution and adopting sustainable lifestyles. He also reminded everyone of their responsibility to ensure a safer Earth for future generations. The event began with a welcome speech by V Unnikrishnan, a scientific officer of KSBB. Earth Day messages were delivered by N Anilkumar (chairperson, KSBB), S Sreekumar (director, JNTBGRI), Manjula Devi (director, Thiruvananthapuram Zoo), Rajesh (zoo superintendent), Rahul Bhatkoti (CEO, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport), and Sebastian Britto (CSR head, Adani Vizhinjam Port & Airport). Participants then took an Earth Day pledge. A seminar on the topic ‘Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve – Relevance and Importance’ was held at the 3D theatre in the museum complex, where N Mohanan, former chief scientist of TBGRI, delivered a presentation. As part of the event, saplings of rare and native trees such as Humboldtia sanjappae, Kaara, wild gooseberry, wild jackfruit, Vetti, wild Ashoka, Samudrakkai, Neerpezhu, Neermaruthu and Aattilippa were planted in the museum compound. Anilkumar stated that the programme aims to enhance community participation in environmental and biodiversity conservation and to protect endangered plant species by planting and nurturing them.
