Mysuru Zoo to host G20 Environment Working Group meet

Mysuru Zoo, India’s one of two selfsustaining zoos, will host the first G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Meeting from February 9-11 under India’s G20 presidency. Mysuru Zoo has the distinction of having a unique concept where zoo animals are adopted and kept in a sustainable manner. Located in the Indian state of Karnataka, Mysuru Zoo started the practice of the adoption of zoo animals.

India will be holding the Presidency of G20 for one year. During its presidency year, the forum will bring together the G20 member countries, guest countries and international organisations (special invitees) to discuss a large number of issues of international importance. A total of 13 Working Groups and two Initiatives will meet through the Sherpa Track under India’s Presidency to discuss priorities and come out with recommendations.

Under the Sherpa Track, Environment, Climate and Sustainability is a working group. The discussions, according to India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at ECSWG, will focus on the agenda ‘Promotion of Blue Economy along with Coastal Sustainability’, ‘Restoration of Degraded Lands and Ecosystems’ and ‘Enhancement of Biodiversity’ and ‘Strengthening of Circular Economy’.

In conjunction with the first Meeting in Bengaluru, Mysuru Zoo, in coordination with Central Zoo Authority, organised a two-day National Conference for Zoo Directors of India on January 18-19 and then the Mysuru zoo was chosen as a venue to focus on the best practices in zoo management, news agency ANI reported.

The conference focused on ‘Master Planning and Building the National Capacity for Species Management and Conservation Breeding’. Some 59 participants from 25 states and a union territory participated in the conference. A task force team has been created to ensure preparedness and better coordination of the forum meeting.

The conference participants appreciated the Karnataka State Forest Department for its innovative IT tools designed to ensure faster delivery of public services and realtime monitoring of natural resources. The tools are known as e-parihara, e-gastu, and e-timber.

e-parihara is an online application that helps in processing and sanctioning ex-gratia claims in cases of man-animal conflicts. It ensures transparency and efficiency in processing claims.

e-gastu, an Android-based platform, captures forest patrolling/field activities undertaken by frontline staff of the forest department, which supervisory officers can visualise over satellite imageries on a regular basis.

Similarly, an e-timber facility provides near real-time wood stock available in government timber depots and enables e-auction facilities for timber/ other forest produce in government timber depots.

In the course of the ECSWG meeting, The G20 delegates will visit Bengaluru-based Kalkere Arboretum and Bannerghatta Biological Park. At Kalkere, the delegates will have an opportunity to visualise and experience four predominant forest ecosystems of Karnataka.

The State Forest Department will also showcase the forest restoration models adopted in these ecosystems and the successful revival of faunal biodiversity in these areas. The Bannerghatta Biological Park will showcase the state-of-art butterfly park and animal safaris to the delegates.