The National Youth Biodiversity Conference 2025 held at Kanha Shanti Vanam Ranga Reddy District, Telangana dated 20th of February to the 22nd of February, 2025. The conference was organized by the Telangana Biodiversity Board, Government of Telangana.
About Telangana Biodiversity Board
Telangana Biodiversity Board (TGBDB) was constituted by the Government of Telangana in the Year 2014. The Telangana Biodiversity Board is a statutory and autonomous body constituted by the Government under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 (Principle Act). Recently, the Biological Diversity Act 2002 was amended in the year 2023; now, it is referred to as the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act 2023.
Telangana Biodiversity Profile
Telangana State, located in southern India, is renowned for its rich biodiversity, which encompasses a diverse range of flora and fauna. The state’s varied topography, including forests, hills, rivers, and wetlands, supports numerous ecosystems that are home to many endemic and threatened species. Telangana’s biodiversity is not only vital for ecological balance but also plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of local communities, providing resources such as food, medicine, and raw materials.
In brief, among the flora, the state harbours a total of 2113 taxa belonging to 50 orders and 145 families, accounting for 16% of the Angiosperms known from India. Of these, 1553 species belonging to 40 orders and 112 families are Dicotyledons, and 560 species belonging to 10 orders and 33 families are Monocotyledons.
As regards to the fauna, the state has about 75 species of mammals that include Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Giant Squirrel, Hyena, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Indian Bison (Gaur), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Four-Horned Antelope, Blue Bull, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Honey Badger, Civets, Jungle Cats, Otter, Pangolin, Bats, Tree Shrew, Common Langur Etc.
There are 12 protected areas, including two Tiger Reserves, three National Parks, and seven Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Overall, Telangana’s biodiversity is a valuable asset that contributes to the ecological, cultural, and economic well-being of the region, and there is a need for ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance this natural wealth for future generations.
Visit the Facebook Page to learn more about the Telangana Biodiversity Board
About NYBD-2025
NYBD-2025 was held for 3 days, starting from the 20th of February to the 22nd of February. A total of 70 candidates from each state and union territory of India participated in this conference. On the very first day of the conference, the Honorable Minister of Endowments, Environment & Forests Govt. of Telangana, Smt. Konda Surekha attended the Inauguration function and lit the lamp with Sri Kalicharan S. Khartade (IAS), Sri Ahmed Nadeem (IAS), Sri G. Chandrashekar Reddy (IFS), Sri C. Achalender Reddy (IFS), and Dr. Shilpi Sharma (Scientific Officer, TGBDB).
Main Attraction of NYBD-2025
The main attraction of NYBD-2025 was the unique concept for which the 70 young delegates from all parts of India joined together for the 3-day residential program. Candidates came from every state and union territory of India to participate in the great event organized by the Telangana Biodiversity Board for the very first time in India.
Day 1 Programme –
Dr. Suhas Nimbalkar (Partner Eitimo Ventures LLP, Bengaluru) gave a brief introduction to Biodiversity and its Legal Framework in India.
Sri. A. K. Goyal, IFS (Special Secretary, Retd. Ministry of Panchayati Raj Govt. of India) gave a detailed presentation on Biological Resources- Sustainable Use, Fair Access, and Benefit Sharing.
Dr. Srirama (Scientific Consultant National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai) explained the role of Digital Sequence Information in Biodiversity Conservation.
Dr. Yogita Karache ( President, World Anti-Terrorism Organization Trust) helped out in understanding Biodiversity Ethics (Best Practices) and Eco-Terrorism (A New Age Threat).
Later in the evening, 5-6 PM, Friends of Snakes Society addressed the delegates and helped in understanding Snakes’ behavior and their role in the Ecosystem.
6.30 PM to 7.30 PM Mr. C. Vamshi and his team joined delegates in exploring Kanha’s Biodiversity.
Day 2 Programme –
Day 2 started with a bird-watching activity inside Kanha Biodiversity Park. Hyderabad Birding Pals Team helped the candidates to identify the Birds based on their natural habitat using Binoculars. And trained students in creating PBR and online application uses.
Dr. V. B. Mathur (Former Chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai) gave a brief introduction on the topic “Hands-on strategies for Biodiversity Conservation: Lessons from the Field“.
Mrs. Farida Tampal (state director, WWF- India) helped candidates complete the activity and explained the benefits of exploring biodiversity by connecting with nature.
Dr. V. B. Mathur (Former Chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai) explained the topic “Global Biodiversity Conservation and Governance”.
The forest man of Telangana, D Satyanarayana, shared his forest life experience, which he spent in lap of nature. He was singing and prasing nature, appreciating his upbringing and ladies and the community.
Dr. Neelima Jerath (Former Member Secretary of the Punjab State Biodiversity Board ) explained about the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR), A Community- Conservation Tool
Kanha Shanti Vanam Scientific Officers took all the young participants for a field visit to experience the Immersive Rainforest inside the Kanha Shanti Vanam.
In the evening from 6 – 8 PM, a cultural program session was held, and during this, the audiences experienced the performance of live Gusadi Dance, A Tribal Dance of the Gond Tribe, Kuchipudi Dance by Mrs. Nihanthri and team, and performances given by all the participants.
Day -3 Programme
Day 3 started with the live practice of People’s Biodiversity Register Creation under the guidance of Dr. Neelima Jerath and Mrs. Farida Tampal.
Mrs. Rahibai Soma Popere (Padma Shri) delivered the Seed Mother’s Legacy. She explained the traditional knowledge of preserving indigenous seeds and her life journey toward organic and traditional farming in the Marathi language.
Sri Kalicharan S. Khartade, IAS (Secretary of Telangana Biodiversity Board) addressed Reflection, Adaption of Hyderabad Declaration and Way Forward.
Sri Jishnu Dev Varma (The Honorable Governor of Telangana) was invited as the chief guest at the National Youth Biodiversity Conference 2025. A welcome address was given by Sri. Kalicharan S. Khartade, IAS, and Sri Ahmed Nadeem, IAS. Feedback and the learnings shared by the delegates and Mentors.
Certificates and Awards were distributed by Sri Jishnu Dev Verma to the participants and then addressed by the Chief Guest, Sri. Jishnu Dev Verma.
Media Partners Covered the event and telecasted it on the Local News Channel. Watch Now
Vote of Thanks given by Dr. Shilpi Sharma (Scientific Officer, TGBDB)
Hyderabad Declaration – Outcome of the National Youth Biodiversity Conference 2025
The Hyderabad Declaration represents the voice of youth and is the outcome of the National Youth Biodiversity Conference 2025, which brought together the collective aspirations, concerns, and solutions of young people. The youth delegates engaged in a collaborative process to identify challenges, explore solutions, and co-develop nine actionable recommendations.
- Train Youth in Sustainable Practices: Support Grassroots organizations to teach young people technical skills for using natural resources wisely and sustainably.
- Make Experimental Learning a Must in Schools: Schools should integrate hands-on learning to help children build a strong connection with nature.
- Raise Awareness Through Higher Education Institutes (HEIs): Partner with HEIs to educate youth about useful databases and technologies and how to use them responsibly in research.
- Preserve Traditional Knowledge and Create Livelihoods: Encourage the practices of traditional knowledge for sustainable living and livelihoods. If certain practices harm biodiversity, provide alternative livelihood options.
- Awareness of Biodiversity Laws: Conduct mobile legal awareness sessions in rural areas to educate locals about their rights and responsibilities. Leverage storytelling, art, and social media to simplify biodiversity laws and highlight laws and highlight real-life conservation efforts.
- Increase Youth Participation in Biodiversity Conservation: State Biodiversity Boards should organize youth conferences to boost youth engagement and involve experts from different fields to work together on biodiversity conservation.
This outcome is a call to action- urging policymakers, institutions, and society at large to recognize youth as key partners in biodiversity conservation and ensure their meaningful participation in shaping a sustainable future.
We thank the mentors, Enact Earth Foundations, and WWF-India for their guidance and support. A special thanks to the Telangana Biodiversity Board for creating this unique platform to amplify youth voices in biodiversity conservation.
Why the Conference on Biodiversity?
The main objective of the Telangana Biodiversity Board is-
- Conservation of Biological Diversity
- Sustainable utilization of the Biological Diversity
- The fair and equitable sharing of the benefit arising from the utilization of biological resources.
The conferences act like a bridge between an organization’s goals and individuals. The individuals interact with each other and try to learn similarities and differences between their places, cultures, traditions, environments, weather, and biodiversity. Sometimes, traditions also play a vital role in the conservation of biodiversity.
Conferences help individuals network with people with the same intentions. And it develops in a big chains. And a crowd can make a big change. “Change for a Cause“.
In Rajasthan, Bisnoi Samaj protect Black deer and worship them as God. This tradition saves the black deer in this region. So here Bisnoi Samaj are the protector of nature. To protect tree and forest area from deforestation, in the Himalayan region Chipko Movement started in 1970’s.
In Bihar / Jharkhand, people worship the Banyan Tree, the Ficus Tree, and Indian Lilac as symbols of God. They protect these trees, and these tree produces high levels of oxygen and fresh air.
In Bihar / Jharkhand, people worship the God Sun, and twice in a year, they celebrate Chath Puja. It is a very auspicious festival for all Biharis. And on this occasion, people and local NGO clean all water resources and our surroundings to complete the Puja neatly. Because of this festival every pond and river gets cleaned every year. In this process, locals and government officials join hand together.
Now is the correct time to connect Indians in a single frame. Climate change is hitting as hard. And we should fix our mistakes now before it’s too late. Learn the methods of biodiversity conservation, learn the methods of organic farming and sustainable life from old people. “Shop less and reuse more”.
Conclusion: National Youth Biodiversity Conference 2025
Conserving Biodiversity is our moral duty. We can save endangered plant species and give them space in our gardens, farms, and terraced gardens. In the start we serve plants and after some time they serve and feed us.
We are dependent on nature for our daily livelihood. But we need to ensure that we can take from nature within limits. Nature takes time to heal. So its the time to bring a strict rule for all industries and citizens to limit their uses.
Reusing things is the best way to reduce unnecessary waste and to save money. Solar energy and battery-operated vehicles are the best options for minimizing air pollution and reducing excessive coal mining.
Benefit sharing is a very needy step to take forward. If we take some samplings from other farmer, neighbour or friends. When it grows well and we start taking benefits from it, we should return some portion of it to the main owner from which we borrowed it. The benefits sharing can be in any form like in original form of it (seeds, plants or samplings) or money or can be any economical help.
Awareness programs should be conducted in every area to make people aware of their moral duties towards biodiversity. We start making people aware of the plants and species found in their local territory, their uses, behavior, and effects on nature. They will start loving them. They will give space to them in their home. Green Revolution will make a Change. The Green Revolution will bring happiness.
Student’s Feedback
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