World Environment Day was celebrated on 5th June, 2021 by ICAR-CIBA on digital platform with an invited talk by Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director of Deemed Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, India on ‘Economy or Environment? Solving the Eternal conflict’. The theme of this year’s Environment Day was ‘Reimagine – Recreate – Restore’ and the topic was selected considering restoration of ecosystem and raising awareness. The programme was presided by Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, CIBA and Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director of Deemed Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, Maharashtra, India was the chief guest. Dr. M. Muralidhar, Scientist-In-charge, Environment Section, Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division in his welcome note explained the idea behind the World Environment Day celebration and this year’s theme.
Dr. Jithendran, in the presidential speech opined on the necessity of keeping environmental balancing between food production activities and sustainable use of natural resources. This would be possible only by the departmental collaboration of various agencies involved in ecosystem services to develop a win-win situation. He further stressed on development of sustainable aquaculture practices such as integrated multi-trophic farming, avoiding excess use of chemicals and drugs considering the food demand and safety of the environment.
Dr. Pathak, in his presentation, mentioned, how Indian food production grown from a food deficient to self-sufficient to surplus status over 7-decades of post-independence. He articulated that, India witnessed a several-fold increase in the production quantity of food grains (6), milk (9), vegetables and fruits (12), fish (18), and eggs (50 times). Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides not only causing soil-less productivity but also eutrophication of water bodies. The implementation of scientific farming with judicious use of fertilisers and pesticides was emphasised. He stressed the increased occurrence of extreme climatic events in recent years as a result of climate change and their impacts on both terrestrial and aquatic lives. He suggested practicing a farming activity where food production, economy, and environment are considered by adopting crop diversification, integrated, and non-classical heterodox farming. He stressed upon bringing a new concept of green income along with the environmental cost to assess the impact of agriculture on the environment. He also pointed that 1/3rd of the food produced is wasted which further burdens the environment. He concluded his talk with comments, though the conflict between economy and environment will continue, it is our responsibility to restore the ecosystem with an alternative plan: ‘Reimagine, recreate and restore’.
More than 100 participants including researchers, academicians and students participated and the queries posted were discussed during interaction session. Dr. P. Kumararaja, Scientist, ICAR-CIBA presented vote of thanks and the programme was moderated by Dr. Satheesha Avunje, Scientist, ICAR-CIBA.