The International Day for Biological Diversity is being celebrated is being celebrated all over the country by different states and organizations on May, 22. The main event is being held in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

The celebration is to recognize the pivotal role of biodiversity to life on earth and human well-being, as well as to increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity and the threats to it. It was on this day in 1992 that the text of the Convention of Biodiversity was adopted. This year's theme is 'Biodiversity for Sustainable Development'.

In this event, the BIOFIN India project is being formally launched today with the release of a brochure. Another brochure on announcement of India Biodiversity Awards 2016, the third in the series is being released today, along with a release of a publication on good models of biodiversity governance emanating from India Biodiversity Awards 2014. Also being released today is an India Business and Biodiversity Initiative publication on best practices on biodiversity management by some companies.

In his message, the environment minister, Mr Prakash Javadekar highlighted the India's strength in biodiversity. "Nature has generously endowed our country. With only 2.4 percent of the world's land area, India has 7-8 percent of the recorded species of the world, with over 46,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals. India is also an acknowledged centre of crop diversity, and harbours many wild and domesticated animals, fish and millions of microbes and insects. The ecosystem diversity is also unparalleled. These are the strengths to draw upon to meet the goals of ending poverty and hunger; achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture; ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages; ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and in making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Promoting multiple varieties of staple foodgrains; switching to cropping patterns, wider seed and plant variety choices, water conservation and utilisation patterns, and farming practices that combine the best of traditional wisdom and science with a whole-system perspective; valuing the therapeutic properties and medicinal uses of various parts of plants and animals; all form key aspects of the way ahead."