Patna: Altogether 1,165 students from Class I to XII participated in the state-level drawing and photography competition organised at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, the prizes of which were awarded on Thursday.The event was held from May 19 to 21.State’s environment, forest and climate change department minister Sunil Kumar, who was the chief guest of the event, congratulated the winners and urged the youths to be aware of different aspects of biodiversity and participate in its conservation.“The decline in our biodiversity is the main reason for the adverse effects of global warming, climate change, soil erosion, etc. Bihar is a biodiversity-rich state with a variety of agriculture, horticulture and livestock resources. Additionally, it has forest areas and numerous small and large rivers that are home to diverse flora and fauna, making a significant contribution to the natural balance,” he said.The department’s additional chief secretary Harjot Kaur Bamhrah said a balanced ecosystem can provide us with several essential products and services on a sustained basis, such as food, a clean environment and disease resistance.“In the past year, the state govt has implemented various initiatives like the 4th agriculture roadmap, Hariyali Mission and Jal Jeevan Hariyali, focusing on sustainable agriculture practices, land and water conservation, increasing green cover and conservation of forests and wildlife,” she said.