HYDERABAD | XI COP | Convention on Biological Diversity | 1-19 OCT 2012

Hyderabad, March 5:
The Andhra Pradesh Government and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation are planning a series of initiatives to improve the civic infrastructure, and also, deck up the city ahead of the mega global Biodiversity Summit to be held at Hyderabad in October.

The Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, has directed the officials of the municipal corporation to take up development works at an outlay of about Rs 577.35 crore for creating world-class infrastructure for the event, where heads of State and ministerial delegations from over 193 countries are expected to participate.

As a part of infrastructure improvement, it is proposed to recarpet roads, improve drainage system and pavements, creating new signage in coordination with the National Highways Authority of India and Roads and Buildings Department of the State.

The Government has finalised tenders for a modernisation project of traffic signals with an outlay of Rs 65 crore. The state-owned enterprise BEL has been awarded the mandate. A coordination committee headed by the Principal Secretary Municipal Administration and Urban Development has been constituted to monitor the progress of development and implementation of the planned initiatives.

As per estimates, about Rs 1,000 crore is required to host an event of this magnitude. The United Nations, through its agencies, the Centre and the State Government would pool in to take up various works. The 10th Biodiversity Summit held at Nagoya, Japan had over 10,000 delegates participating.

During a review meet, the Chief Minister has proposed a museum, pylon and a park. Ahead of the summit, a stretch of over 125 km of roads have been identified for improvement, including development of footpaths.

The Government sees this event boosting tourism in the State.

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In Hyderabad, India from October 8 - 19 the next Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity will take place. The 'Biodiversity in Good Company' Initiative is diligently taking steps to prepare for this coming event. We are planning and arranging, for example, side events together with a number of partners, which shall run parallel to the heads of state summit. With respect to the role businesses play in the implementation of CBD, the CoP 11 offers an important platform to spur on the goals of our network and the creation of additional "Business & Biodiversity" initiatives.


A number of high-priority points have been listed at the top of the conference’s provisional agenda. They revolve around taking a critical look at the current situation in implementation of the strategic plan for biodiversity 2011-2020 and progress towards the Aichi biodiversity targets. This is coupled together with taking stock of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) and related developments. Ratification of this process has been slow moving. Additionally, a central topic pertaining to achieving goals with regards to the issue of financial resources and innovative financing mechanism shall be discussed. Signatory states will also debate on how best to capitalize on the synergy effects and the dialog channels with the business community created by the UN Decade of Biodiversity. To complete the agenda, a wealth of specific issues will be discussed such as costal and oceanic biodiversity, the linkage between climate protection and the protection of biodiversity, or biodiversity and development issues etc.

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The Chief Minister Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy today said that the International Bio-diversity Conference will be held in a big way in Hyderabad. He said that funds will not be a problem and asked the Departments to put in their best efforts to make it a big success. The International Bio-diversity Conference (CoP-11) (XI Conference of Parties), the biggest event ever to be held in independent India, will be held from October 1st to 19th, 2012 at Hyderabad. Ministerial Delegations from 193 countries will be participating in the Convention which includes Heads of States from about 10 countries. :banana:

The Chief Minister today held a detailed review meeting with Secretaries and Heads of all departments concerned at Secretariat. Chief Secretary Mr Pankaj Dwivedi, Special Chief Secretary, Environment and Forests, Mr.M.Samuel, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr.V.Bhasker, Principal Secretary, MA&UD, Mr. B.Sam Bob, Principal Secretary, Industries, Mr. T.S.Appa Rao, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Youth Affairs, Ms.Chandana Khan, Principal Secretary, Health, Mr. Ratna Kishore, Commissioner, GHMC, Mr.M.T.Krishna Babu, City Police Commissioner, Hyderabad, Mr.Anurag Sharma, MD, APSRTC, Mr.A.K.Khan, Principal Secretary to CM, Mr.Binoy Kumar, Secretary to CM, Mr.K.S.Jawahar Reddy, Special Secretary to CM, Mr.S.S.Rawat and other officials attended the meeting. The Chief Minister said that the City should be most beautiful with road works completed, Pylon in place. He also said that the State should do whatever is needed in consonance with the theme of the Biodiversity Conference well before it starts. He also reminded the officials that Union Agriculture Minister Mr.Sharad Pawar declared that a World Class aquarium will come up in Hyderabad. :banana: :cheers:

The Officials explained to the Chief Minister about the preparedness for the Convention on Biological Diversity. As far as City beautification plans are concerned, the GHMC has identified 125 Kms of main roads from Airport to the venue, hotels and other important tourist places in and around Hyderabad. They initiated taking action on priority items like re-carpeting of roads, lane marking, improvement of drains, junctions, and foot-paths, etc. 22 Roads are identified leading to various important hotels and historical places from the venue.

Some of the above roads belongs to R&B and NH Departments. GHMC is taking up beautification of all the roads and recarpeting pertains to GHMC Roads. Recarpeting of the R&B and NH Roads will be taken up by the respective wings. Renovation and Development of fountains along the roads and in parks will be taken up. Renovation of Major parks, Theme parks and City Level Parks will also be taken up. All the parks in the City will wear a new look with more greenways. Consultants have been engaged for preparation of an Action Plan for Landscape designing in Central Media, Traffic Islands, Major Parks and Theme Parks.Proposals are under process. Five nurseries are proposed to stock and maintain potted plants with support systems like drip irrigation, shade net etc. 5000 Bushy potted plants, 5000 tall palms/ trees, 1,25,000 flowering seasonals will also be procured.

To lend a dramatic effect to the City and accentuate its old world charm, a special lighting strategy is being devised that covers a full range of outdoor illumination, from streetlights to lighting on individual sites and buildings in coordination with Tourism department. Professional sculptors from across the country will converge on the city and create sculptures made of stones and boulders with the assistance of Jawaharlal Nehru College of Fine Arts & Architecture.The finished works will be installed in various traffic islands and waysides. In collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru College of Fine Arts & Architecture, pieces of art will be made using Metal and Wood and kept at traffic islands and waysides.

A series of themed mural paintings depicting the Hyderabadi culture and its ethos will adorn the long concrete walls, columns under the flyovers and important traffic islands of the City. The various clock towers spread across the City represent a distinctive period design that is surprisingly modern in its minimalism.The Clock Towers are considered to be the finest public landmarks and are structures that the City takes pride in. Several initiatives will be undertaken to beautify them. In a bid to promote sustainable transportation, GHMC aims to create biking infrastructure that will comprise of protected bike lanes. As part of that initiative, GHMC will lay a cycle track from HITEX to Shilparamam and Kothaguda to Cyber Towers. :banana:

Appeal has already been given for private player participation to explore massive advertising and brand activation opportunity the city presents during the event. Positive response received from banking organizations like SBI, SBH, Andhra Bank, Canara Bank etc., major corporate companies viz., GVK Group, L&T Group, Dr. Reddy Lab, NFCL, Ramky, APREDA, Apollo Hospitals etc., towards beautification of the city, thereby projecting a corporate social responsibility image.

The Bio Diversity Convention will be the perfect platform to initiate citizen and private player engagement in communication, education and public awareness campaigns which protect and harness the city's biodiversity. In view of shortage of time inter departmental committee of officers from horticulture, forest and GHMC, HMDA proposed for procurement of good quality plant material from various nurseries. In view of shortage of contractors having experience in signages works relaxation of registration with government departments requested with proper turnover to get adequate response in the tender. Sanction of additional enforcement teams consisting of one Inspector and two Sub-Inspectors requested for each zone to carryout drive for maintaining cleanliness in the city (to prevent debris, wall posters, flexi boards, un-authorised road cuttings).

Meanwhile Police Department is getting geared up with their machinery to provide necessary security to VVIPs. All arrangements will be made for the safe and smooth conduct of the convention and bandobust arrangements will be made. The Chief Minister told the Police officials to see that safety city infrastructure also make a headway during the conference. Tourism department is identifying important tourist spots for their maintenance.

Nodal Committee meeting on Culture was held recently and action is initiated to prepare action plan to show-case our rich heritage. The Tourism department will also provide training for tourist guides, volunteers and establish help desks at Airport and other important points. Brochures on important tourist spots will be distributed to the delegates. National Food Festival and Craft Festival will be held during the Conference. Cultural programmes will be held at different places like HICC, Shilpakala Vedika, Chow Mohalla Palance etc. Pylon, Museum and Bio-diversity Park: A suitable site was identified in APIIC land situated on the highway leading from Gachibowli to Mehidipatnam, opposite Hotel "Quality Inn". A final decision will be taken after the visit by Chief Minister and other Ministers. A.P. Bio-diversity Board has called for Expression of Interest (EoI) from expert architects for suitable designs. Three parties have submitted their designs. Forest Department is taking action to develop Bio-diversity Park by planting suitable species at Dulapally. :cheers:

As decided by Chief Minister, the State Government have issued orders vide G.O.Rt. No.189/EFS&T (Forest-II) Department, dated: 18.4.2012 constituting the following coordination committees. State Level Steering Committee headed by CM; State Level Coordination Committee headed by CS and COP-11 Secretariat. Nodal Committees: Reception, Accommodation, Food and Protocol, Transport, Security, City beautification and up keeping, Cultural, Exhibition, Media, Medical & Health facilities, Side events, Venue & Stage preparations Committees are formed and these committees were assigned certain functions and duties and were requested to hold their internal meetings and inform the action taken from time to time. A meeting was held with 56 NGOs on 12.4.2012 and their inputs and support was requested for run up and side events for COP-11. Professional Conference Organiser (PCO): The Professional Conference Organiser (PCO), M/s Mind Communications & Ideas (MCI) has been appointed by MoEF, Government of India on 3.5.2012 and interacted with the CS and the Spl. CS, EFS&T. The Chief Secretary held a review meeting with all secretaries and HoDs concerned, Joint Secretary, MoEF and PCO on 1.5.2012.

He instructed the Nodal Committees to hold meetings and start immediate action in coordination with PCO. With regard to cultural programmes, it was decided to have "Andhra Pradesh Day" showcasing Andhra Pradesh culture on 17th or 18th October, 2012 in the high level segment. The Executive Secretary CBD, Montreal, Mr.Braulio Ferreira visited Hyderabad from 19-21, May 2012, inspected HICC (Venue) and held discussions with officials of Forest, Police, A.P. Bio-diversity Board, Tourism, Municipal Administration, National Bio-diversity Authority, and PCO on 21.5.2012 and called on the Chief Secretary.

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Even 11 years after the Supreme Court laid down guidelines for management of municipal solid waste (MSW Rules 2000), the GHMC is yet to start scientific disposal of garbage. GHMC is now making extra efforts to adopt eco-friendly measures of waste disposal as the state capital (Greater Hyderabad) will host the prestigious International Biodiversity Conference of Parties (COP-11) with 12,000 delegates from 30 countries next year. COP-11 will highlight contributions of municipal bodies of different cities in the world in taking up biodiversity friendly measures and projects.

Being the host city, the GHMC cannot afford to cause embarrassment to GoI by lagging behind in adopting environment friendly measures, especially for treatment and disposal of solid waste. However, garbage is still being disposed off in conventional manner at the Jawaharnagar dumping yard. Neither the treatment plants, leachate sumps, nor the landfill facility sites are ready for operation, though GHMC officials claimed that Ramky Enviro Engineers is giving finishing touches and will commission all three components by the year-end.

Now, the civic body is racing against time to set up a system of segregating bio-degradable waste at the vegetable markets in the city and send it to the vermicompost units. The GHMC is going to sign an agreement with CEO of Rythu Bazars for direct collection of bio-degradable waste from Rythu Bazars, while tenders are being invited from private agencies to set up vermicompost units to handle 30 metric tonnes per day of waste from Rythu Bazars, a senior official said.

The project will be extended to other retail and wholesale vegetable markets in and around the city in the second phase. The civic body has already introduced two-bin system in 26 colonies on a pilot basis from August 15 for segregation of dry and bio-degradable wet waste. The ban on manufacture and use of below 40 micron thickness plastic carry bags is being enforced from July 1 this year.

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Citizens can hope for a smooth ride on most city roads with civic officials planning to stop indiscriminate road cutting by various private and government agencies. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has prepared plans to provide common ducts for utilities like cable and other service providers on identified roads.

Disclosing this at a press conference here on Monday, GHMC commissioner MT Krishna Babu said the common ducts, storm water drains, footpaths and carriageway improvements would be taken up on 170 kilometres (km) length of identified roads in the city. In the first phase, 60 km, including two stretches__ Indira Park-RTC Crossroads and Charminar-Falaknuma__ would be taken up, he added.

The commissioner said frequent road cutting by private cable, telecom and internet service providers and government agencies like the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) and Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL) has been damaging roads in the city. Hanging cable wires have been posing threat, resulting in road accidents, he added.

"Now, the corporation has decided to freeze roads from further cuttings. We had a meeting with all major telecom, internet and cable operators today. The operators have been asked to give their future plans by next Friday as no road cutting permission will be given in the next five years," Krishna Babu said.

Similarly, the GHMC officials would hold a meeting with representatives of HMWS&SB and CPDCL to discuss the issue and seek their plans for the next five years on the selected roads. "Our plan is to take up 60 km length of road in the first phase. Every six months, 60 km length will be taken up as the cost of the entire 170 kms GHMC would work out to about Rs 700 crore," the GHMC chief said.

Apart from 170 km to be developed by the GHMC, another 73 km length of road, mostly on metro rail corridors, would be taken up the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited. The corporation has also prioritised another 840 km road stretch on which buses ply, however, it will be taken up in the later phases.

He said a decision has not been taken yet on modalities on who has to give permission for road cutting and maintain common ducts on the proposed model roads.

Krishna Babu said another 100 km length of the road, including tourist spots, would be refurbished and developed in the city in view of the Conference on Biodiversity slated to be held in the city in September. Delegates from over 190 countries would take part in the conference, he said. He said the state government has urged the Centre to release Rs 800 crore for various city infrastructure development works and the state government would also release funds for improvement of infrastructure in the wake of Biodiversity conference.

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Though the Finance Minister takes pride in the fact that Hyderabad is hosting the Eleventh Conference of Parties (CoP11) to the Convention on Bio-Diversity (CBD) from October 1 to 19 this year, there is no mention of any allocation for this purpose in the budget. The GHMC authorities have sought special assistance of Rs 200 crore from the state government and another Rs 800 crore from the central government for civic infrastructure improvement and beautification of the metropolis for the mega-event.

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today directed his officials to take up various developmental work here given that the city would be hosting the prestigious International Biodiversity Convention in October this year. The development works listed by the CMO are estimated to cost Rs 557.35 crore. They include strengthening and recarpeting of BT roads, remodelling of storm water drainage, improvement of side walks, modern lighting, lane marking, traffic islands, signages, street furniture, traffic signals, improvement of sanitation, development of greenery on traffic islands among others, a release from Chief Minister's office said. The Convention will be held from October 1 to 19 and it is likely to be attended by representatives from over 100 countries.

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Residents of Industrial Area Local Authority (IALA) in Madhapur, Gachibowli and surrounding places will have a smooth ride soon with the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Roads and Buildings (R&B) deciding to develop nine major roads.

Gachibowli (Old Bombay highway) to Meenakshi Tech park, Madhapur main road to Inorbit Mall near Durgamchervu, Madhapur (near Ratnadeep) to APIIC Raheja Park, Wipro junction to Gopanpally, Nallagandla to Gopanpally IT buildings and Nanakramguda expressway junction to Phoenix Info City stretches have been proposed for development.

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Some roads would be taken up by APIIC, while GHMC would take up stretches where property has to be acquired and R&B would develop roads under its jurisdiction. For example, the Old Bombay highway road to Wipro Junction via Khajaguda has been proposed for widening to 120ft. Part of the five-km road falls in R&B's jurisdiction and part in APIIC. As the R&B had already paid Rs five crore for land acquisition, another Rs 8 crore would be paid to GHMC to acquire remaining properties and laying road by the APIIC. Wipro Junction-Gopanpally stretch would be widened to 150 ft by R&B. "The Old Bombay Highway has already been widened and GHMC will provide service roads, footpaths, central median and storm water drains on the 150ft road at a cost of Rs 36 crore, which will be borne by APIIC," GHMC additional commissioner K Dhananjaya Reddy told TOI.

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The stage is set for the first pedestrian-friendly road in the city. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has started making efforts to convert Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills as a model road with a footpath and other pedestrian facilities of international standard. While designs and detailed study of the road have been completed, civil works are likely to begin soon.

A few months ago, the GHMC had decided to develop some roads with pedestrian facilities and even conducted meetings with non-government organisations and traffic police. Initially, five roads -- Road No. 10 and 12 of Banjara Hills, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, Himayatnagar-Liberty Road and the road opposite Salarjung Museum -- were chosen for development.

On a pilot basis, the GHMC has been decided to take up Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills in view of the upcoming Conference of Parties in October. The road is a crucial link as it provides connectivity to Hi-Tec City. With traffic volume increasing manifold after it was widened to 100 feet, it was declared as a commercial road in 2005.

As of now, there is a footpath on the road, but not sufficient space for pedestrians as it has been occupied by residents and business establishments. There are also encroachments like transformers of apartments and commercial complexes, bus shelters and high tension lines. There are also trees on the footpath which have become major obstacle for widening the footpath. At some places, residents have been dumping debris on the footpath.

"As per norms, a footpath should be three-metre wide and 18 inches in height. We will remove encroachments and expand wherever possible. A detailed design of road pavement, including geometric design, crust deficiency and requirement to road design standards as per the Indian Road Congress and Morth standards were done," GHMC engineer-in-chief R Dhan Singh told TOI.

GHMC officials, including commissioner MT Krishna Babu, along with representatives of Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL), inspected the road a few days ago and discussed the issue of shifting transformers and electric lines from the pavement.

The corporation had last year entrusted the job of carrying out comprehensive road development study and inventory of road conditions in the city to certain agencies. It was decided to have underground sewer lines by the side of the road and also a common duct to put an end to hanging wires. About 100 km stretch has also beeb identified for construction of permanent cable ducts along the road.

Private telephone companies, cable operators and other service providers have been asked to form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to construct ducts on these stretches. The companies were asked to give their plans for digging as road cutting would not be permitted on roads for the next five years.GHMC officials, however, said since there was no time to have a common duct, they would confine to pavement facilities with aesthetics.

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Cable television, telecom and Internet service providers have finally fallen in line with the GHMC diktat of taking their respective cables underground through a common duct. Work has commenced on four roads on a pilot basis for 20 ducts to be bunched together, announced Mayor Majid Hussain and GHMC Commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu on Wednesday.

Legal, technical and financial modalities of the project as well as maintenance issues are to be thrashed by the consortia of service providers at a meeting presided over by the Engineering-in-Chief R. Dhan Singh. For the first time, lease charges per kilometre too have to be paid.

Twenty ducts are to be laid adjacent to the footpaths five to six-foot deep. Sixteen ducts would be sufficient for the present capacity while four empty ones would become the property of the municipal corporation to be given on lease to any new service providers, explained Mr. Krishna Babu at the press conference.

Ducts are to be laid on the roads of Basheerbagh-Legislative Assembly-S.R.Nagar, NFCL-Road No.1 Banjara Hills-Masab Tank-S.D.Eye Hospital, Hotel Taj Krishna – KCP junction and Indira Park-RTC Crossroads-Ramnagar to begin with. Soon it would be taken to the 120-km roads identified for city beautification for the international bio-diversity meet to be held at Hitex in October.

“We are determined to see that the city is freed of the ugly hanging cables fully in the next two years,” exclaimed Mr. Majid Hussain. Hanging wires would be cut off by the service operators themselves junction to junction as the work progresses. Simultaneously, the municipal corporation would not allow any kind of road cutting to happen on these roads, said the Commissioner.

GHMC will function as the single window for taking permissions for laying ducts on all roads even those belonging to Roads & Buildings or National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). “Criminal action will be initiated against State heads of the service providers if road cutting is done illegally,” he warned. APCPDCL and HMWSSB engineers were requested to assist the duct work and tackle situations when their respective lines come in the way.

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HYDERABAD: Come October, the city of Nizams will don a refurbished and aesthetic look for the biggest global event of the nation. With the International Bio-diversity Conference (Cop-11) beginning in October 1, the state government planning a major overhaul of its civic infrastructure-- roads, hangouts, parks-- and tourist destinations.
The CoP-11, perhaps the biggest event ever in independent India, will be held from October 1 to 19 in the city, in which ministerial delegations from 193 countries and heads of 10 nations will be participating. �
Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, in a review meeting with secretaries and heads of all departments for the global event at Secretariat here on Thursday, said the officials should do whatever is needed in consonance with the theme of the global bio-diversity conference.
He said that the city should have good roads, pylon in place.� As per the beautification plan, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has identified roads on a 125-km stretch from Airport to the venue of the event, to be given a facelift.
Road development projects including re-carpeting, lane marking; improvement of drains, junctions, and foot-paths have already been taken up and 22 roads leading to luxury hotels and historical places would be beautified. All parks in the city would wear a new look. Consultants have been engaged to prepare an action plan relating to landscape designing and other aesthetic parameters.� Several theme parks have also been proposed and five nurseries are planned to provide potted plants and seasonals to these parks.
To accentuate a heritage and historic charm of the city, professionals would be engaged to carve out sculptors, to be installed at various traffic joints and sideways.
A series of mural paintings depicting the Hyderabadi culture would adorn city walls and columns under flyovers.
The state government identified a site for a bio-diversity park near the APIIC and Express of Interests (EoP) were invited for it.

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The international bio-diversity conference, referred to as ‘CoP 11' (conference of parties), being held in Hyderabad for 19 days from October 1, will be one of the biggest events of Andhra Pradesh in the recent times.

Presidents, Prime Ministers and other dignitaries from various countries are likely to attend it along with an estimated 10,000 delegates, representing 200 nations. According to initial estimates, a sum of Rs. 300 crore will be spent on the conference in which the UNO is also involving itself, out of which Rs. 210 crore will be sanctioned by the Centre.

A meeting convened here on Thursday by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on arrangements being made for the conference, identified Hyderabad International Convention Centre and Hi-Tex Convention Centre as the venues for the event.

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125 km stretch of main roads from Shamshabad airport to Madhapur have been identified

Over 125 km stretch of main roads from Shamshabad airport to Madhapur have been identified for improvement and beautification along with some important hotels and tourist places in and around Hyderabad in connection with the international bio-diversity conference being held here in October.

Action has already been initiated for re-carpeting 22 roads, leading to various important hotels and historical sites from the two venues of the conference at Madhapur. Professional sculptors from across the country will converge here to make stone statues and give shape to boulders with assistance from Jawaharlal Nehru College of Fine Arts & Architecture.

The finished works will be installed at various traffic islands and waysides.

According to a press note issued by the CMO, fountains in major parks and on roadsides will be renovated.

Consultants have been engaged for preparation of an action plan for landscape designing in central areas and traffic islands and parks.

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Hyderabad, May 24:

Several corporate houses have evinced interest in taking part in the Andhra Pradesh Government's efforts to host the UN Biodiversity Summit in October 2012.

The State has received response from SBI, SBH, Andhra Bank, GVK Group, L&T, Dr. Reddy's Lab, NFCL, Ramky, Apollo Hospitals among others in the beautification of the city as a part of their corporate social responsibility initiative.

Reviewing the arrangements for the mega event, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. N Kiran Kumar Reddy, today called upon various agencies and departments to put in their best efforts to make it a big success. Several nodal committees have been constituted to take up development works for the conference. The International Bio-diversity Conference is considered to be the biggest event ever to be held in independent India. Ministerial Delegations from 193 countries will be participating in the Convention which includes Heads of States from about 10 countries.

The corporation has identified 125 km of main roads from Airport to the venue, hotels and other important tourist places in and around Hyderabad. It is proposed to lay cycling tracks in some select parts of the city.

The State Forest Department has taken up the task to develop Bio-diversity Park by planting suitable species at Dulapally. The MoEF has chosen Mind Communications and Ideas to assist in organising the event.

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HYDERABAD: The Chief Minister Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy today said that the International Bio-diversity Conference will be held in a big way in Hyderabad. He said that funds will not be a problem and asked the Departments to put in their best efforts to make it a big success.

The International Bio-diversity Conference (CoP-11) (XI Conference of Parties), the biggest event ever to be held in independent India, will be held from October 1st to 19th, 2012 at Hyderabad. Ministerial Delegations from 193 countries will be participating in the Convention which includes Heads of States from about10 countries.

The Chief Minister today held a detailed review meeting with Secretaries and Heads of all departments concerned at Secretariat. Chief Secretary Mr Pankaj Dwivedi, Special Chief Secretary, Environment and Forests, Mr.M.Samuel, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr.V.Bhasker, Principal Secretary, MA&UD, Mr. B.Sam Bob, Principal Secretary, Industries, Mr. T.S.Appa Rao, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Youth Affairs, Ms.Chandana Khan, Principal Secretary, Health, Mr. Ratna Kishore, Commissioner, GHMC, Mr.M.T.Krishna Babu, City Police Commissioner, Hyderabad, Mr.Anurag Sharma, MD, APSRTC, Mr.A.K.Khan, Principal Secretary to CM, Mr.Binoy Kumar, Secretary to CM, Mr.K.S.Jawahar Reddy, Special Secretary to CM, Mr.S.S.Rawat and other officials attended the meeting.

The Chief Minister said that the City should be most beautiful with road works completed, Pylon in place. He also said that the State should do whatever is needed in consonance with the theme of the Biodiversity Conference well before it starts. He also reminded the officials that Union Agriculture Minister Mr.Sharad Pawar declared that a World Class aquarium will come up in Hyderabad.

The Officials explained to the Chief Minister about the preparedness for the Convention on Biological Diversity.

As far as City beautification plans are concerned, the GHMC has identified 125 Kms of main roads from Airport to the venue, hotels and other important tourist places in and around Hyderabad. They initiated taking action on priority items like re-carpeting of roads, lane marking, improvement of drains, junctions, and foot-paths, etc. 22 Roads are identified leading to various important hotels and historical places from the venue. Some of the above roads belongs to R&B and NH Departments. GHMC is taking up beautification of all the roads and recarpeting pertains to GHMC Roads. Recarpeting of the R&B and NH Roads will be taken up by the respective wings.

Renovation and Development of fountains along the roads and in parks will be taken up. Renovation of Major parks, Theme parks and City Level Parks will also be taken up. All the parks in the City will wear a new look with more greenways. Consultants have been engaged for preparation of an Action Plan for Landscape designing in Central Media, Traffic Islands, Major Parks and Theme Parks. Proposals are under process. Five nurseries are proposed to stock and maintain potted plants with support systems like drip irrigation, shade net etc. 5000 Bushy potted plants, 5000 tall palms/ trees, 1,25,000 flowering seasonals will also be procured.

To lend a dramatic effect to the City and accentuate its old world charm, a special lighting strategy is being devised that covers a full range of outdoor illumination, from streetlights to lighting on individual sites and buildings in coordination with Tourism department. Professional sculptors from across the country will converge on the city and create sculptures made of stones and boulders with the assistance of Jawaharlal Nehru College of Fine Arts & Architecture. The finished works will be installed in various traffic islands and waysides.

In collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru College of Fine Arts & Architecture, pieces of art will be made using Metal and Wood and kept at traffic islands and waysides. A series of themed mural paintings depicting the Hyderabadi culture and its ethos will adorn the long concrete walls, columns under the flyovers and important traffic islands of the City. The various clock towers spread across the City represent a distinctive period design that is surprisingly modern in its minimalism. The Clock Towers are considered to be the finest public landmarks and are structures that the City takes pride in. Several initiatives will be undertaken to beautify them.

In a bid to promote sustainable transportation, GHMC aims to create biking infrastructure that will comprise of protected bike lanes. As part of that initiative, GHMC will lay a cycle track from HITEX to Shilparamam and Kothaguda to Cyber Towers. Appeal has already been given for private player participation to explore massive advertising and brand activation opportunity the city presents during the event. Positive response received from banking organizations like SBI, SBH, Andhra Bank, Canara Bank etc., major corporate companies viz., GVK Group, L&T Group, Dr. Reddy Lab, NFCL, Ramky, APREDA, Apollo Hospitals etc., towards beautification of the city, thereby projecting a corporate social responsibility image.

The Bio Diversity Convention will be the perfect platform to initiate citizen and private player engagement in communication, education and public awareness campaigns which protect and harness the city's biodiversity. In view of shortage of time inter departmental committee of officers from horticulture, forest and GHMC, HMDA proposed for procurement of good quality plant material from various nurseries. In view of shortage of contractors having experience in signages works relaxation of registration with government departments requested with proper turnover to get adequate response in the tender. Sanction of additional enforcement teams consisting of one Inspector and two Sub-Inspectors requested for each zone to carryout drive for maintaining cleanliness in the city (to prevent debris, wall posters, flexi boards, un-authorised road cuttings).

Meanwhile Police Department is getting geared up with their machinery to provide necessary security to VVIPs. All arrangements will be made for the safe and smooth conduct of the convention and bandobust arrangements will be made. The Chief Minister told the Police officials to see that safety city infrastructure also make a headway during the conference.

Tourism department is identifying important tourist spots for their maintenance. Nodal Committee meeting on Culture was held recently and action is initiated to prepare action plan to show-case our rich heritage. The Tourism department will also provide training for tourist guides, volunteers and establish help desks at Airport and other important points. Brochures on important tourist spots will be distributed to the delegates. National Food Festival and Craft Festival will be held during the Conference. Cultural programmes will be held at different places like HICC, Shilpakala Vedika, Chow Mohalla Palance etc.

Pylon, Museum and Bio-diversity Park: A suitable site was identified in APIIC land situated on the highway leading from Gachibowli to Mehidipatnam, opposite Hotel "Quality Inn". A final decision will be taken after the visit by Chief Minister and other Ministers. A.P. Bio-diversity Board has called for Expression of Interest (EoI) from expert architects for suitable designs. Three parties have submitted their designs. Forest Department is taking action to develop Bio-diversity Park by planting suitable species at Dulapally.

As decided by Chief Minister, the State Government have issued orders vide G.O.Rt. No.189/EFS&T (Forest-II) Department, dated: 18.4.2012 constituting the following coordination committees. State Level Steering Committee headed by CM; State Level Coordination Committee headed by CS and COP-11 Secretariat.

Nodal Committees: Reception, Accommodation, Food and Protocol, Transport, Security, City beautification and up keeping, Cultural, Exhibition, Media, Medical & Health facilities, Side events, Venue & Stage preparations Committees are formed and these committees were assigned certain functions and duties and were requested to hold their internal meetings and inform the action taken from time to time.A meeting was held with 56 NGOs on 12.4.2012 and their inputs and support was requested for run up and side events for COP-11.

Professional Conference Organiser (PCO): The Professional Conference Organiser (PCO), M/s Mind Communications & Ideas (MCI) has been appointed by MoEF, Government of India on 3.5.2012 and interacted with the CS and the Spl. CS, EFS&T. The Chief Secretary held a review meeting with all secretaries and HoDs concerned, Joint Secretary, MoEF and PCO on 1.5.2012. He instructed the Nodal Committees to hold meetings and start immediate action in coordination with PCO.

With regard to cultural programmes, it was decided to have "Andhra Pradesh Day" showcasing Andhra Pradesh culture on 17th or 18th October, 2012 in the high level segment. The Executive Secretary CBD, Montreal, Mr.Braulio Ferreira visited Hyderabad from 19-21, May 2012, inspected HICC (Venue) and held discussions with officials of Forest, Police, A.P. Bio-diversity Board, Tourism, Municipal Administration, National Bio-diversity Authority, and PCO on 21.5.2012 and called on the Chief Secretary.

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Science Express - a 16-coach train for promoting scientific temper - today began its fifth journey, this time to raise awareness about the country's

unique biodiversity.

The 'Science Express - Biodiversity Special (SEBS)' was flagged off by Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at the Delhi Safdarjang Railway Station here this morning.

The train will remain at the Safdarjung Railway Station till Thursday after which it will begin its journey to reach out to over a million people.

It will be stationed at Hyderabad from October 9-19 when the city would host the 11th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The train will culminate for the year at Gandhinagar on December 22.

Of the 16 coaches comprising the SEBS, eight are dedicated to showcasing biodiversity spread across the various bio-geographical zones - the Trans-Himalaya and the Himalayas, the Gangetic Plain, North East India, the Desert and Semi-Arid Zone, the Western Ghats, the Deccan Peninsula and the Coasts and Islands.

Three other coaches have exhibits on climate change, energy and water conservation.

During June-December 2012, the train will travel almost 18,000 kms, halting for three to four days at each of the 52 locations.

According to the ministry, the exhibition is expected to draw more than 1.5 million visitors, while indirectly it is likely to engage over five million people.

The Science Express began as an Indo-German venture in 2007 and has toured the country four times.

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A budget of Rs.4.50 crore has been earmarked for works

As the city starts gearing up for the international bio-diversity conference scheduled in October, the Nehru Zoological Park too will be getting a facelift to coincide with the event.

One of the most popular spot for a day's outing in the city, the zoo has drawn up plans for a series of works aimed at enhancing the premises and improving amenities for the international summit expected to draw nearly 10,000 delegates from 200 countries.

According to the officials, a budget of Rs.4.50 crore has been earmarked for the works that include improvement of main gate, walls, gardens and amenities such as drinking water. An interpretation centre-cum-auditorium will also be readied by the month of September.

A bird conservation park with features that attract the winged creatures will also come up and the exhibits here will seek to impart information on various conservation methods that can be adopted in the urban areas.

“Four reverse osmosis drinking units along with new and improved signage boards will also be in place,” says P. Mallikarjuna Rao, Director of State Zoos.

The zoo, which presently has two battery-operated vehicles to provide pollution free transport for visitors in the premises, has decided to add a fleet of 25 more vehicles. Each vehicle costs around Rs.6 lakh and is expected to be a major attraction here. Along with the city facility, the fleet of pollution-free visitor transport system will be increased in other zoos of the State.

The Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park at Tirupati at present has five battery- operated vehicles and five more are to be added while the fleet of four at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam, will get added with six more vehicles.

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