Childrens Environment Congress begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Children have a great role to play in environment conservation in the wake of the threat posed by climate change, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Thursday.  He was speaking after inaugurating the fourth Children’s Environment Congress organised by the State Biodiversity Board here on Thursday. The Government’s commitment to environment protection is evident from the sanctioning of environment conservation committees in all panchayats in the state, he said. The state has become a role model for its counterparts in taking measures for environment and conservation and biodiversity protection, he said. The Chief Minister also released a documentary titled ‘Nammude Kandal Vanangal’, directed by ace wildlife photographer Suresh Elamon, at the function. Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and environment (KSCSTE) executive vice-president V N Rajasekharan Pillai exhorted school students to learn from nature. Innovations are inspired by nature and sustainable development models are based on the principles of biodiversity. Children who have a better understanding of nature and biodiversity would become good scientists in future, he said. Museums and Zoos director Udayavarman said that the green house concept has much relevance in the present scenario. Biodiversity Board chairman R V Varma and member-secretary K P Laladas attended the function.