The biodiversity management committees in Veeyapuram grama panchayat in Alappuzha and Marancheri grama panchayat in Malappuram have shared the award for the best biodiversity management committee for 2018, instituted by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB).

The award, which carries a cash prize of ₹50,000 each, a plaque and a citation, will be presented during the World Environment Day observance at the Forest Department headquarters here on Wednesday.

Government LPS Malapacheri, Kasaragod, and Government Tribal LPS Arivilanchal, Idukki, were adjudged the joint winners in the biodiversity school category. The College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, was declared the best biodiversity college. The Department of Museums and Zoos topped the biodiversity government institution category. C.V. Vidhyadharan of Cherthala and P.V. Divakaran of Neeleswaram were declared the best biodiversity conservationists in the State. P.J. Manual of Wayanad and Resmi Edathanal of Kottayam also won awards for conservation of plant varieties and animal varieties respectively. Sajith Parameswaran, Special Correspondent, Mangalam, won the award for biodiversity news reporter. G.S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Principal Information Officer, Farm Information Bureau, bagged the award for biodiversity electronic media person. STM Document Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Malayinkeezhu, was selected for a special jury appreciation.

Announcing the awards here on Tuesday, KSBB chairman S.C. Joshi said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would launch several initiatives during the World Environment Day observance. These included the formal declaration of Teen Biodiversity Corps, district biodiversity coordination committees, and the custodian farmers scheme.

Besides, a seminar on agricultural biodiversity will also be held at the PWD Rest House, Thycaud, on the day. Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar will inaugurate the day-long programme that will feature several agriculture experts.