Hyderabad|India|July'2012: The state will soon have school and college level competitions on biological Diversity and its related themes. This has been decided in the Media Committee meeting headed by Mrs. D.K. Aruna, Minister for Information and Public Relations Dept.This decision has been taken in view of the upcoming International event,United Nations Conference on Biodiversity to be held in Hyderabad from October 1st to 19th,2012. This event is being conducted in the Hyderabad International Convention Centre jointly by the United Nations, the Central Government and Andhra Pradesh Government.

Essay Writing Competitions will be held in August in schools throughout the state to create awareness among the children on biodiversity related issues. The Information Minister suggested to hold the competitions by August, in co-ordination with National Green Corps and Education Department. The Information and Public Relations Department is also conducting National level Photography Competitions on eight sub themes of biodiversity.

Mrs. Aruna instructed different line departments connected with biodiversity such as Agriculture,Fisheries, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, etc. to hold Press meet under ‘Praja Hitham’to create awarness among the people on various issues of biodiversity. She felt that it is important to create such awarness as well as focussing on the confernece. She also instructed to hold the Media Committee meeting once in every fortnight.

It has also been decided to insert a small band about biodiversity conference on every classifi ed / display advertisements released by I & PR dept. GHMC came forward to offer
hoardings for the publicity of the conference on biodiversity at free of cost. An exclusive video conference on the conference with district collectors and DPROs has also been planned in the meeting. The offi cial website of Information and Public Relations Dept. would have the material on biodiversity related issues.

-July 2012