On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) organized an awareness program titled “Millets: A Step Towards Sustainable Agro Biodiversity.” The event aimed to emphasize the importance of conserving and preserving biodiversity while promoting sustainable practices to protect the environment. The program took place on May 22, 2023, and witnessed the participation of esteemed guests, including Smt. A. Vani Prasad, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt., Govt. of Telangana & Director General, EPTRI.
Smt. A. Vani Prasad, IAS, in her keynote address, highlighted the significance of biodiversity conservation and stressed the need for a global vision to live in harmony with nature. She also emphasized the importance of individual behavior change in reducing waste and adopting sustainable lifestyle for Environment (LiFE).
As part of the awareness program, EPTRI organized a webinar titled “Millets: A Step Towards Sustainable Agro Biodiversity,” presented by Dr. Y. Gangi Reddy, Professor & Head at CIAT and Project Director (Retd.) of Rural Technology Park (RTP) NIRDPR. The webinar aimed to educate participants about the cultivation and consumption of millets, promoting their role in maintaining ecosystem services and sustaining a healthy planet.
Additionally, EPTRI arranged a special Millet meal for its employees, media persons, and other invitees as a way to commemorate the International Year of Millets. The meal featured a variety of millet dishes, showcasing the diverse culinary possibilities and nutritional benefits of millets. By promoting the cultivation and consumption of millets, EPTRI aims to encourage sustainable practices, preserve agro biodiversity, and ensure the delivery of essential benefits to all people while maintaining a healthy planet.
EPTRI believes that through initiatives like this, individuals and communities can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and adopt sustainable practices that will safeguard the environment for future generations.
