Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh governor Brig. (retired) B.D. Mishra has laid emphasis on preserving flora and fauna of the frontier state for the future generation.

Inaugurating a two-day national symposium on ferns here on Thursday, the governor, in his address, called upon scientists and researchers to explore innovative ways to preserve nature's bounty for the present generation and also for posterity.

He stressed that scientists must help create an environment for sustained development of plants and shrubs of all and all living beings in their natural habitat.

The symposium with the theme, "Pteridological studies in India: Perspectives and modern approaches in relation to environment and climate change" is being organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre of Botanical Survey of India in collaboration with Indian Fern Society, Chandigarh.

Mishra expressed the hope that the BSI will continue to undertake "intensive floristic surveys and collect accurate and detailed information on occurrence, distribution, ecology and economic utility of plants in the country".

He also highlighted the association with nature and its economic importance.

To mark the occasion, the governor released a book Flora of Kurung Kumey District published by the state unit of the BSI.

He also released abstracts of the symposium papers.

Assembly Speaker T.N. Thongdok, BSI, Calcutta additional director P.M. Padhye, chairman of Indian Fern Society, Chandigarh, S.P. Khullar, and regional centre head of the BSI V.K. Rawat shared their views on preserving flora, particularly fern, in the state.