IGNOU launches Online Appreciation Programme on Biodiversity
31 May, 2012
The Chair for Sustainable Development (CSD), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) organised a launching ceremony for its Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity and made announcement about the PG Certificate on Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the Electronic and Media Production Centre (EMPC), Studio-II in the University Headquarters in the Capital.
Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Government of India, formally launched the Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity which is now available at SAVE (Sustainable Action and Virtual Education) platform of IGNOU (www.ignouonline.ac.in/save) offered through e-gyankosh.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ayyappan emphasized that biodiversity is everybody’s business and the common man must be sensitised regarding the ecological value of biodiversity. “The youngsters who will take up this programme, will become agents for managing biodiversity in sustainable manner,” he felt.
The Director General elaborated the functioning of the National Bureaus in the field of conservation of biological wealth. He offered the infrastructural and educational facilities lying with ICAR to the IGNOU student fraternity and also wanted partnership and a symbiotic relationship between ICAR and IGNOU.
Further, the chief guest congratulated the University for developing the PG Certificate programme on Climate Change and Sustainable Development as it deals with one of the most important global environmental challenge i.e. Climate change.
He dwelled upon the mitigation and adaptation measures pertaining to agricultural land use practices, carbon sequestration in agricultural crops, etc. The chief guest launched a comprehensive brochure on all the on-going Appreciation Programmes (Non- Credit) and PG Programmes (PG Diploma in Sustainability Science and PG Certificate in Climate Change and Sustainable Development).
The day was also marked with the distribution of seeds of an important medicinal plant - Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) produced by the Horticulture cell of the university.
The Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, Prof. M. Aslam opined that the Appreciation programmes developed by the Chair for Development could be extended to Panchayat Raj functionaries along with the educational package intended to enrich the functioning of the local bodies under the project “Capacity building of Panchayat Raj Institutions through Multi-mode training intervention”. Further, he suggested that the appreciation programmes can be provided to all graduate students of IGNOU so that the virtues of sustainable development will reach to a larger section of the population.
Eminent scientist and Rajya Sabha member, Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, also the Honorary Chair for CSD, IGNOU, brought forward the importance of the day and highlighted the need for “Do Ecology” approach in our country to environmental protection.
He focused on three principles of biodiversity: conservation by all means, its sustainable use and equitable sharing of resources. He was of the opinion that Bio-happiness is the ultimate goal of human society and in order to achieve this, the country should promote Gene Care Movement and a sense of gene care consciousness among the younger generations.
He also gave the genesis and the future perspectives and the emerging facets of Sustainability Science as a discipline.
Dr. Suman Sahai, Honourary Course Coordinator and Chairperson of Gene Campaign explained the content of the four blocks into which the one month course is divided.
The blocks deal with biodiversity and its importance, agro-biodiversity, threats to biodiversity and sustainable use of biodiversity. Through this programme, she believes that a generation of young people can be created who are sensitive about biodiversity.
The programme coordinator of the Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity, Dr. Shachi Shah proposed vote of thanks.
