ICAR receives King Bhumibol World Soil Day 2020 Award

Context

Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Thailand received the prestigious “King Bhumibol World Soil Day - 2020 Award”of FAO on the behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2020

• The King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award was conferred to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for its commitment to raising awarenessof the importance of healthy soils.
• It was particularly during last year's World Soil Day celebration, where ICAR addressed soil erosion under the motto "Stop soil erosion, save our future".
• The ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal  organized a massive awareness campaign for preserving “SOIL - Our Mother Earth” to commemorate the World Soil Day.

About the award

• The 6th Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Plenary Assembly endorsed the establishment of the annual King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award (WSDA), as a recognition tool for individuals and/or institutions that have made an effort to organize successful celebrations.
• The objective of the WSDA is to encourage organizers of WSD events at all levels to facilitate challenging and outstanding celebrations around the globe.
• The Award is sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand, the champion country in the establishment of the now-famous World Soil Day.
• The UN General Assembly decided in December 2013 to officially designate 5 December as World Soil Day to acknowledge the lifelong work and commitment of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who has significantly contributed to improving the quality of lives of millions through sustainable soil management.
• The Award is granted to individuals, institutions, NGOs, academia, colleges and universities, private companies or any other entities.