G20: ECSWG meeting sets tone for restoration of ecosystem and biodiversity enhancement

Bengaluru: Deliberations of the First Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting under the G20 Presidency has commenced in Bengaluru with a side event on ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity enhancement.

On the first day meeting of the ECSWG the discussion was held on how the theme of the India Presidency – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One future, is championing a fundamental mindset shift from a sense of ownership of natural resources towards trusteeship, sustainable lifestyles, inclusion and universal oneness.

Three-day ECSWG meeting aims to collectively define a new development paradigm that supports stable and sustainable climate, environment, and biodiversity.

Chandra Prakash Goyal, Director General Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) set the context for the event and emphasised on how G20 has played a vital role over the years, in dealing with economic, financial, social, and environmental issues.

He also highlighted that India’s Presidency will propagate the cause through collective leadership to take forward the commendable initiatives from the past G-20 Presidencies to create tangible impact.

A.S Rawat, Director General, Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) discussed the global perspectives on the eco-restoration aspects specifically with respect to mining and forest fire-affected areas.

During the session, representatives from G20 countries shared their experiences and best practices for the restoration of mining and forest fire-affected areas.

Later in the day, the delegates were taken for a site visit to the Kalkere Arboretum and Bannerghatta Biological Park at Bengaluru. The purpose of the visit was to showcase the state-of-art butterfly park and animal safaris to the delegates.

It has also given an opportunity for Karnataka, to showcase its rich forest ecosystems to the world as well as its successful eco-tourism model.

At Kalkere Arboretum, the delegates got the opportunity to experience the four predominant forest ecosystems of Karnataka state. The delegates also saw the Forest Restoration models adopted in these ecosystems and the successful revival of faunal biodiversity in these areas.