New Delhi: The first G20 environment meeting under G20 India Presidency is scheduled to be held during 09th -11th February in Bengaluru.
The discussions of ECSWG will be focused on the agenda ‘Promotion of Blue Economy along with Coastal Sustainability’, ‘Restoration of Degraded Lands and Ecosystems’ and ‘Enhancement of Biodiversity’ and ‘Strengthening of Circular Economy, the Environment Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
India will be holding the Presidency of G20 for one year till 30th November 2023. The forum will bring together the G20 member countries, guest countries and international organisations invited by India.
India’s Presidency will provide opportunities to discuss priorities and provide recommendations. Environment, Climate & Sustainability is one of working groups under the Sherpa Track.
Four Meetings of the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) are scheduled, to be hosted by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
Leading to the 1st Meeting in Bengaluru, Mysuru Zoo in coordination with Central Zoo Authority organised a Two-Day National Conference for Zoo Directors of India on 18th and 19th of January 2023.
The Mysuru zoo, one of the best managed zoos in India, was chosen as a venue to focus on best practices in zoo management.
It is one of two self-sustaining zoos in India with the unique concept of adoption of Zoo animals, which started in this zoo.
The conference mainly focused on “Master Planning and Building the National Capacity for species Management & Conservation Breeding.”
In this conference 59 Participants from 25 states and union territory participated. “The G20 delegates are scheduled to visit the Kalkere Arboretum and Bannerghatta Biological Park at Bengaluru” it said.
At Kalkere, the delegates will have an opportunity to visualize and experience four predominant forest ecosystems of Karnataka state.
The State Forest Department will also showcase the forest restoration models adopted in these ecosystems and the successful revival of faunal biodiversity in these areas.
The Bannerghatta Biological Park will showcase the state-of-art butterfly park and animal safaris to the delegates.
The Karnataka Forest Department will also highlight the flagship ecotourism model, the Jungle Lodges Resort, which is extremely popular for nature lovers, globally.
For the preparedness and better coordination, a meeting between Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and . Vandita Sharma, Chief Secretary to Government Karnataka was held on 21st January 2023 at Bengaluru.
The Union Secretary, during her discussions with the Chief Secretary, highlighted and appreciated the innovative Information Technology solutions devised by the Karnataka State Forest Department to ensure faster delivery of public services & real time monitoring of natural resources.
One key initiative is e-Parihara, an online application that helps in processing and sanction of ex-gratia claims in cases of man-animal conflicts; thus, bringing in transparency and efficiency in the processing of claims.
Similarly, e-Gastu an Android based platform captures forest patrolling and field activities undertaken by frontline staff of the forest department, which can be visualized by supervisory officers over satellite imageries, on regular basis.
Likewise, e-timber facility provides a near real time wood stock available in government timber depots and enables e-auction facilities for timber and other forest produce in government timber depots.
“The Secretary MoEF&CC lauded these initiatives and stated that they would be shared with all G 20 countries for adoption and replication,” the Ministry said.
