COP works on track: CM

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Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said arrangements for COP-11, the international biodiversity conference that begins on October 1, are on in full swing. He said the state government is working on specific policies to conserve plants, animals and fish that have commercial use, such as the pulasa fish of the Godavari, the Punganur dwarf cow, the Ongole bull and various medicinal plants and non-timber forest produce.

“COP-11 will produce an opportunity to discuss forest, marine, coastal biodiversity and global strategy for plant conservation, combat desertification and climate change,” he said. The state biodiversity board was set up in 2006 and so far 400 biodiversity management committees have been formed.

Five biological heritage sites have been identified, Thimmamma Marrimandu at Veerapuram, Tirumala Hills, Srisailam tiger reserve, Talakonda medicinal plants and agro biodiversity heritage sites in Zaheerabad. Prime Minister Manmo-han Singh will be laying the foundation for the National Museum on Biodiversity during the conference.

The state government has allotted 15 acres of land on the Gachibowli-Medhidipatnam Road for a bio-diversity park where 500 rare and endangered species will be planted. Another biodiversity park is being established in the Dulapally reserve forest area. Meanwhile, the CM will inspect the ongoing beautification works in the city along with senior officials from municipal administration, forests and environment, medical and health departments on Wednesday. Commissioners of HMDA, GHMC, police commissionerates, Water Board and other departments will also accompany him.