Port Blair, July 29: A documentary film on Island Eco System will be shown in International conference of Parties II (COP II) to be held in Hyderabad from October 1st. Addressing the Inter Media Publicity Coordination Committee(IMPCC) held at Zoological Survey Of India centre at Port Blair on Friday, the Officer In Charge of ZSI, Dr C Ragunathan said for the first time India is hosting the International conference on global bio-diversity and more than 100 countries will participate in it.
He said the film will be produced in the islands through Doordarshan in coordination with Fisheries Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Pondicherry University and Indian Council of Medical Research to show case the significant role of the islands as one of the rich bio-diversity hot spots of the world.
He also revealed that the ZSI is carrying out an extensive survey in the islands Wandoor marine biological Park Rutland and Landfall island to assess the status of the coral reefs there. He said about 27% coral reefs were recuperated after their mass bleaching out in 2010. Besides, another survey will be conducted on different species in the region’s highest peak, Saddle peak.
Earlier, addressing the Members, the Chairman of the IMPCC, R Mohan said the official media units provided exclusive coverage to the major themes selected for the month. He also suggested for holding the IMPCC meeting in the remote islands, to plan for special focus on the developmental programmes and other important events there jointly by the inter media.
During the interaction, the Assistant Director of Press Information Bureau (PIB), Dhanasekaran informed that the PIB rendered necessary coordination in conducting the programmes of IMPCC. He said during the month, the PIB issued press releases on the important themes selected including Anti Dengue campaign. He also revealed that the PIB arranged for exclusive media coverage of the Press Conference of Chief of Staff of Andaman and Nicobar Command at the command headquarters on the commissioning of new Naval Air base at Campbell bay as INS Baaz.
DVS Deep, Deputy Director of News from All India Radio informed that the Regional News Wing produced special discussion with the GM and DGM of NABARD to enlighten the people about different development programmes being executed through NABARD. He said the Anti dengue campaign, Van Mahotsav and Khariff Abhiyan were provided exclusive news coverage in both news bulletins and news based programmes. He added that the Government flag ship programmes were given optimum coverage, with special focus on Shiksha Abhiyan and Right to Education.
The Programme Executive of All India Radio, Mumtaz informed that an exclusive interview of Principal Chief Conservator of forest was broadcast by the AIR to highlight the importance of Van Mahotsav. Besides, suitable programmes were produced on the important themes and Government Flag ship progammes.
Briefing on the Programme activities of Doordarshan, the Assistant Director of programmes, Sajan informed that Doordarshan will telecast the Inter-island quiz contest by the Education Department in 17 episodes. He said the preliminary rounds of the quiz contest is almost complete and the Zonal rounds will be started soon. The State level contests will be exclusively covered by the Doordarshan for telecast in a series.
The Asst Director of Education, Shashikumar informed that the Inter-Island Quiz contest is the maiden venture of the education department, covering more than 300 schools spread across the islands. He further informed that the administration approved for giving two boiled eggs twice a week under Mid day meal programme to the school children. Besides, all the students of Government schools will be provided free bus passes this year.
The Divisional Forest Officer, B P Yadav said the month long Vanmahotasav evoked encouraging response from across the islands. He revealed that the PRI members, students and the local media extended their fullest support for carrying out tree plantation drive and awareness programmes in different islands. He said the State level valedictory function of the event will be held at Port Blair on 31st of this month.
The Joint Director of Agriculture, Dr Pandey said following the overwhelming success of Coconut Mission in Nicobar islands, the administration is going to launch a Fruit and Vegetable Mission in Car Nicobar. The Islands Lt Governor, Lt Gen Bhopindher Singh will launch this mission on 8th August in Car Nicobar. He also revealed that the department conducted several farmers’ training programmes under Agriculure Techanology Management Agency(ATMA) programme in different islands to educate them on modern farm practices during the Khariff Abhiyan, besides guiding them to get the Kissan credit cards.
The General Manager of NABARD, Athirshtavel informed that for the first time in the islands the payments of old age pension, widow pension etc. will be disbursed through Andaman and Nicobar Cooperative bank at the door steps of the beneficiaries from next month onwards. He said the doorstep services will be formally launched on 4th August in Prothrapur.
The Asst General Manager of BSNL, Gunasekaran said the BSNL conducted open houses for the customers in North and Middle Andaman this month and planned to have such Open houses in Port Blair to redress the grievances of the customers in effective manner.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Chinmoy Biswal, Scientists from FSI and ZSI among others interacted with the members.
The next meeting of the IMPCC will be held at NABARD centre at Port Blair on 17th August. (PIB)
