Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], May 23 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has highlighted ongoing efforts towards biodiversity conservation in the country, stating that several initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are yielding positive results.

Addressing media persons at the IBCA pre-summit event held on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity on Friday, Yadav said, 'We are all fortunate that under the leadership of PM Modi, many experiments are being carried out regarding biodiversity and are also getting success.'

He further added the state's focus on environmental conservation, particularly in relation to river ecosystems. 'Madhya Pradesh is also working on a large scale regarding the conservation of the Ganga,' the Chief Minister added.

He also welcomed the Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day.

'On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, the Madhya Pradesh government welcomed the Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav. Under the leadership of India's Prime Minister, Madhya Pradesh is successfully conducting various biodiversity projects, including the cheetah project initiated by the Prime Minister in 2022, which has become a notable research story,' he added.

He further added that the state is also extensively working on conserving species like buffalo and elephants from Assam in the forest. 'The state is also extensively working on conserving species like buffaloes and elephants from Assam, and undertaking significant water conservation efforts, leading the nation in water source preservation.'

'Madhya Pradesh is the first state to launch the river-linking campaign under the Prime Minister's leadership, fostering inter-state harmony between Bundelkhand and Rajasthan. The state leads in the conservation of leopards, tigers, cheetahs, vultures, wild foxes, and wild dogs,' he added.

He urged people to take a pledge to uphold the principle of 'live and let live' to maintain harmony with nature and all its creatures on the occassion. 'On this Biodiversity Day, let us pledge to uphold the principle of 'live and let live' to maintain harmony with nature and all its creatures,' he added.

Meanwhile, the First International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 1, has been rescheduled following the deferment of the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV) due to the Ebola outbreak in Africa.

The summit was originally planned in conjunction with the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV), given that several African countries are home to big cats and remain important partners in global efforts towards conservation, ecological sustainability, and biodiversity protection.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change statement, it was noted that the decision was taken in consultation with the Chairperson of the African Union and the African Union Commission to postpone the India-Africa Forum Summit to a later date. (ANI)