CSE plans awareness campaign on biodiversity conservation

To revive and relive the culture of diverse food habits in everyday life and also to integrate environmental conservation, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has planned an awareness campaign on the issue of biodiversity conservation through the variety of foods in Indian households.

"This will be a milestone in bringing back the taste of biodiversity," said Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE. In this initiative, the center will launch a book – First Food: Culture of Taste has been researched and written by contributors commissioned by CSE. Traditionally, the Indian kitchen is filled with a variety of foods besides having festivals special items.

For instance, 'Makar Shankrati' is celebrated with Kichari, and dry dishes and so is Lohiri. These festivals contribute in lots to the conservation of biodiversity. Recently, USA's University of Pennsylvania commissioned a study on Dalit food habits in Uttar Pradesh. Based on study's outcomes, a Dalit entrepreneur Chandrabhan Prasad launched a chain of Dalit Foods in India with a view to promoting healthy eating habits.