The Karnataka Biodiversity Board is launching Biodiversity Management Committees in every gram panchayat to strengthen biodiversity conservation. Board chairman Vadnal Jagadish announced this at the Desi Beejotsava (Native Seed Festival) in Mysuru on Saturday, emphasizing the importance of local knowledge and biological resources. He urged citizens to participate in protecting these resources, highlighting that indigenous seeds are symbols of food culture, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.
The Desi Beejotsava, organized by Sahaja Samrudha with the support of the Karnataka Biodiversity Board and Sahaja Seeds, aims to promote biodiversity conservation. The event included the presentation of the Traditional Seed Conservator Award-2026 to six farmers who have dedicated decades to conserving indigenous seeds.
The awardees were Kamalamma E Khanannavar, Parvathi, Mahadevappa Uppar, Manjula, Prabhakar B, and B P Ravishankar. The event also featured a special training program on ‘Seed Conservation and Organic Seed Production’ for farmers and a drawing competition for children. Native seed conservator Kanagalu Padmamma highlighted the importance of seed exchange among farmers, having conserved over 150 indigenous seed varieties.
Board executive officer Vijayalakshmi noted the historical significance of gifting indigenous seeds and the role of farming communities in maintaining agricultural diversity. The Karnataka Biodiversity Board’s efforts to establish Biodiversity Management Committees and prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers are part of a broader initiative to strengthen biodiversity conservation at the village level.