NEW DELHI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The government in the southern Indian state of Kerala has decided to carry out an assessment of biodiversity loss in the devastating rains and floods that claimed the lives of over 450 people this monsoon.
"Data collection for assessing biodiversity loss and impact on biodiversity and ecosystems will be completed within one month. The findings would be utilised to prepare a comprehensive plan for sustainable development with the help of national and international funding agencies," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office announced on its Facebook page Friday.
Earlier this week, the state government decided to scrap all festivities for the next one year as a tribute to those killed and for rebuilding the state.
As many as 488 people have died and over a million displaced in Kerala due to rains and floods this monsoon, the worst in a century, according to the Indian Home Ministry.
