I am glad to know that the “International Day for Biological Diversity” is being celebrated on 22nd May 2018 in these Islands with rest of the country and world on the theme “Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity” to mark the 25th anniversary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and to highlight progress made in the achieving of its objectives.

Biodiversity is the essence of sustainability of life on Planet Earth, as all life forms are linked to each other in a chain forming life support system. The development of scientific guidance for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity including equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization and creation & implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plan are some of the achievements of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The plan aims at urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity so that ecosystems are resilient and continue to provide essential services, thereby securing variety of life on planet Earth and contributing to human well-being.

Our Islands are blessed with rich biodiversity, harbouring unique assemblage of life forms both in terrestrial as well as marine ecosystem.  We are committed to the conservation and protection of unique yet sensitive and fragile eco-system of our Islands for sustainable development and a healthy livable environment for posterity.

Therefore, on this occasion I appeal to the people of these Islands to join hands and take all possible measures for preservation of the unique biodiversity of the A&N Islands.

 (Admiral D K Joshi)

PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.)

Lieutenant Governor

Andaman & Nicobar Islands