KOCHI: Revival of canals, conservation and protection of the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, and development of butterfly gardens have been proposed for the biodiversity conservation mission for Kochi.
Meanwhile, suggestions from various stakeholders and conservationists came up at a workshop organised by the German-funded INTERACT- Bio project in the city.
The event was jointly organised by the Kochi Corporation, Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development, and ICLEI - South Asia.
Inaugurating the session, S.C Joshi, Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, suggested mainstreaming of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.
“Ecosystem concepts should be incorporated into development projects so that the conservation aspects can be mainstreamed,” he suggested.
Kochi is among the three Indian cities that have been picked up by the German Federal Ministry for Environment Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety for the implementation of the project.
The project also aims at developing a local biodiversity strategy and action plan for Kochi.
An ecosystem service evaluation workshop will be conducted on November 22.
Mayor Soumini Jain, A.B. Sabu, Shiny Mathew, Gracy Joesph, V.K. Minimol, P.M. Harris, chairpersons of various standing committees of the Kochi Corporation; K.J. Antony, leader of the Left Democratic Front win the council; K.D. Ajayagosh, superintending engineer; Rajan Chedambath, secretary of the centre, and P.D. Martin, councillor, spoke.
Monalisa Sen, programme coordinator of ICLEI - South Asia presented the objectives of the project.
Alex Jose, city associate of ICLEI - South Asia, presented the biodiversity-related issues identified in the city.
