Blurb

For centuries, nature or natural diversity (biodiversity) has always been an intrinsic part of human civilization. The enormous pressure on our wild and domesticated biota for subsistence, developmental and commercial needs along with a lack of knowledge of its actual and potential value has led to the loss of unique ecosystems along with their floral and faunal diversity.

The strong linkages between biodiversity and pandemics have very well been understood during the current COVID-19 situation. The current pandemic that has brought the entire world to its knees is a direct reminder that it is actually humanity’s destruction of biodiversity that creates the conditions for new viruses and diseases and can have significant human health impacts along with the economic impacts world-wide.

The plenary session on ‘Role of biodiversity conservation in a green and resilient post-pandemic economy’ highlights the importance of biodiversity for the economy and the need for its institutionalization in response to the current pandemic situation. Further, it seeks to understand diverse set of green growth strategies that are inclusive of biodiversity along with their cost effectiveness, policy implications & overall approach that may be deployed in order to reduce the risk of future pandemics.