K. Sudhakar, District Forest Officer, receiving a memento at the event held in Azhaganandhal village.

The Tiruvannamalai Division of the Forest Department has organised an awareness campaign on biodiversity conservation at Azhaganandhal village here to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity.

The campaign was inaugurated by K. Sudhakar, District Forest Officer, Tiruvannamalai.

Forest officials said it was aimed at raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity, taking active measures for its conservation, and emphasising its necessity for sustaining human life.

In his address, Mr. Sudhakar stressed the urgent need for biodiversity conservation, the necessity of protecting natural habitats, reducing exploitation of nature, preventing climate change, controlling pollution, and removing invasive plant species to preserve ecological balance.

The programme witnessed active participation from members of Azhaganandhal’s Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), students and teachers of Shazammal Vidya Mandir School, an NGO, wildlife enthusiasts, forest officials, and residents.

G.P. Saravanan, Forest Range Officer (Tiruvannamalai); G. Vinodhraj, Assistant Conservator of Forest; Adhiya, Chairperson, Azhaganandhal BMC; and R. Balaji, forester (Tiruvannamalai), were present.