VISHAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh: Department of Forest, Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), civil society groups, volunteers and nature enthusiasts, is planning to develop a framework for setting up nature and eco clubs.
Anant Shankar, Visakhapatnam District Forest Officer (DFO) and Curator of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, said that eco clubs will be set up across the district to document and conserve biodiversity with the help of active participation of the public.
DFO said that the state forest department will provide the necessary infrastructure facilities for these eco clubs. The move aims to develop People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) along with the urban local bodies. Eco clubs will play an important role in protecting the environment and biodiversity in the urban landscape. He added further that the local population could also participate as per their interests via eco clubs, including photography, study of different types of birds, conservation of butterflies, conservation of plants and trees, wetlands, etc and each programme organised by these eco clubs will be documented. He said, “A public movement will be initiated. Through such clubs, the forest department will also organise nature walks, marine exploration trips, and trekking in pristine forest areas. Further, this initiative will also help converge, channelise, and bring together the initiatives of various individuals, NGOs and groups and make them more effective to make Visakhapatnam a paradise for nature conservation.”