Children should be motivated towards whom?

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Interest in science should be evoked in the children as this would help in developing a scientific temper in them and helpinthe progress of the nation, said the Uttarakhand governor Krishan Kant Paul. He was speaking after inaugurating a biodiversity park at Vigyan Dham along with noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Regional Science Centre here on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said that the biodiversity park would make it possible to identify various plants and herbs. This would help students, researchers and herbal experts. He said that this park could be a prominent asset for Uttarakhand and also become a reference centre.

The Governor said that children should also be made aware of their fundamental duties towards the nation as mentioned in the Indian constitution. He said the level of progress of any country was assessed by the level of scientific development in it. The Regional Science Centre could play an important role in developing a scientific temper in children. A film could also be made on this centre and shown to all schools.

Expressing his views on the occasion, noted environmentalist Suderlal Bahuguna said that in the places of pine trees in Uttarakhand and Himalayas, there were other tree species which can be grown to conserve water. He stressed on the conservation of water, saying that in case of world conflict in the future, pure drinking water is likely to be the main issue.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the director general of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) SC Gairola appreciated the concept of biodiversity park. He expressed his interest for some joint venture between Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UOST) and ICFRE towards the conservation of environment and forests in the state.

UCOST director general Rajendra Dobhal said that the regional science centre has started work with its inquisitive audiences like researchers, scientists, students, youth and tourists. Along with the support of NCSM, the implementation of Sub-Regional Science Center in Almora is also accelerating, which will soon be taking its shape, he added.

Forest Research Institute (FRI) director Savita, former chief secretary Vibha Puri Das and National Science Centre (New Delhi) director D Rama Sharma also spoke on the occasion.

It should be mentioned here that the biodiversity park consists of Nakshatra and Navgrah Vatika, medicinal species, bamboo species, gymnosperm species, including fodder species, agro species and variety of tree plantations have been planted which are worth seeing and gives large amount of knowledge. Funds for it have been provided by Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Foundation, Dehradun and it has been onstructed and developed by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun