The Union Territory of Puducherry stands as a testimony to the biodiversity wealth of India, National Biodiversity Authority Chairman Virendra R. Tiwari has said. 

Speaking at an awareness and capacity building programme for Biodiversity Management Committee and Union Territory Biodiversity Council, he said Puducherry with its unique coastal, estuarian ecosystem, mangroves, and rich traditional knowledge system stands as an “excellent example of India’s biodiversity wealth.” 

He also highlighted the role played by BMC in documenting local biodiversity through People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) supporting conservation initiatives, creating community awareness, granting consent for requests, levying charges on biological resources and safeguarding traditional knowledge. Mr. Tiwari also released a brochure as part of the programme, a release said. 

In his address, Chief Wildlife Warden, Puducherry P. Arulrajan said 19 BMCs have been constituted in Puducherry under the Biological Diversity Act. These BMCs cover urban and rural regions of the Union Territory. Others who attended the programme, included Commissioner of Oulgaret Municipality Arun Ayavou. The programme was jointly organised by the Association for Promoting Sustainability in Campuses and Communities, National Biodiversity Authority, Puducherry Biodiversity Council and Pondicherry University.