*ALIGARH March 5:* Dr. S. M. Nair, Ex-Director of National Museum of Natural
History, New Delhi said that protecting the environment is important for
sustainable development. Sustainable development means development without
environmental destruction.
Dr. Nair was delivering the keynote address at a two day national conference
on the “Role of Museum in Environmental Education and Interpretation”
organized by the Department of Museology, Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh.
Dr. Nair said that India has a rich natural heritage with more than eighty
thousand species of animals and 45 thousand species of plants. We have 63
National Parks, 593 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 14 Biosphere Reserves.
He pointed out that at present estimate 81 species of animals, 38 species of
birds and 18 species of reptiles and amphibians are endangered in India. The
tiger, lion, rhino, snow, leopard, black buck, golden languard and a variety
of birds are endangered today. Despite all this, India still has a rich
diversity of animal life. Efforts are being made for their conservation.
While presiding over the inaugural session, Prof. Ziauddin Khairoowala,
acting Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, said that climate
change is a major environmental issue these days. We should create a
friendly eco-atmosphere to promote environmental awareness and conservation
of nature and natural resource.
Prof. Khairoowala said that the union government is expending huge money to
control Ganga pollution but Ganga is still polluted. He said that India is
one of the oldest civilization and we have a very good wild life sanctuaries
to protect the endangered animals.
Earlier welcoming the delegates from all parts of the country, Prof. Asif
Ali Khan, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences at AMU said that the founder of
this premier institution, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan established the Scientific
Society with the aim to explore and collect the scientific and technological
advancement in the field of science and to disseminate the knowledge to the
Indian masses through demonstration. Sir Syed established a laboratory and a
museum in the building of Scientific Society.
Dr. Usha Subramaniam, Ex-Director of Ministry of Environment and Forest and
Prof. S. Asif Ali Naqvi, Chairman, Department of Museology at AMU also
addressed the inaugural function.
Dr. Abdurraheem K. conducted the programme and Dr. Naz Rizvi proposed a vote
of thanks.
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