In Top Universities in India, Desh Bhagat University Celebrates International Biodiversity Day

In best university in Punjab, Desh Bhagat University celebrated International Biodiversity Day in collaboration with Punjab Biodiversity Board (PBB). 

The programme was sponsored by National Biodiversity Authority, Govt. of India. Students of Agriculture Department and other faculties participated in it with full enthusiasm.

The university Pro Chancellor Dr. Tajinder Kaur briefed that the event included a field visit to a village Cholti Kheri which has been recognized as rich heritage site. Agriculture department students of B.Sc.Agriculture, B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons.) Integrated, B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons.) visited the village along with Ms. Piyusha (HoD Agriculture) and Dr. H. K. Sidhu.  It is worth mentioning that the sprawling Kaya Kalp Vriksh (Great Banyan Tree) at the remote village of Cholti Kheri, Khera Mandal block, Fatehgarh Sahib district in Punjab, has been declared the first biodiversity heritage site of Punjab. The tree is approximately 300 years’ old, spread over 3.5-acre land.

The ‘magical’ tree represents a complete ecosystem supporting rich biodiversity, including peacocks, owls and many other birds, reptiles such as snakes, monitor lizards, garden lizards, insects, arthropods, millipedes, nematodes, epiphytes, bryophytes, fungi, algae and lichens. The site is being conserved and managed with the active support of Fatehgah Sahib District administration and the Biodiversity Management Committee set up by the Board. 

Dr. H. K. Sidhu informed the students that the Punjab Biodiversity Board (PBB) has finalized a proposal to get the site of this tree listed as a biodiversity heritage site (BHS) for its conservation and management under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act (BDA), 2002. The tree is situated on private land, but owners of the land have willingly given their land for declaration of the tree as a heritage site.

Village Sarpanch S. Gurwinder Singh along with Panchayat members were also present. He highlighted about the religious view of People. The Students also interacted with the farmers and were made aware about the traditional seeds (Desi Seeds) of various crops used by the farmers.

In best university in Punjab, Desh Bhagat University Vice Chancellor Dr. Virinder Singh thanked the farmers and village Sarpanch for sparing their valuable time and guiding the students. He also thanked Punjab Biodiversity Board and National Biodiversity Authority, Govt. of India for sponsoring the event.