Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey hails sustainable utilisation for conservation

DEHRADUN: "Nature will protect those who protect nature," said minister of state for environment, forest and climate change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey. He was addressing policymakers, scientists and experts from different parts of the world who had gathered at the international workshop on 'Enhancing Ecosystem Services by Improving Forest Quality & Productivity and Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management (SLEM) Knowledge Dissemination', which started in ICFRE, Dehradun on Wednesday for next two days.

"We as a nation never exploited nature. Instead, we worshiped nature and stressed on sustainable utilisation and circular economy for conservation of forests," he said. The workshop was inaugurated in virtual mode by him. He lauded the efforts of ICFRE in conservation of forests, land degradation and ecosystem.

Arun Singh Rawat, director general, ICFRE, said, "Conservation of natural resources, forests, biodiversity and restoration of degraded lands can be attained through Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management (SLEM). This can be achieved through increased participation of the local community, conserving biodiversity, and maintaining ecosystem services. The concept of ecosystem services has gained global momentum as it holds immense importance for human wellbeing."