PARKSVILLE, BC — Parksville council has endorsed a resolution that urges the province to purchase and conserve 30 per cent of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR). Amit Gaur brought the motion, which will go to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) convention in April. …Gaur said he chose 30 per cent because it aligns with the federal government’s goal of conserving 30 percent of Canada’s land and water by 2030. He added close to $1 billion has been set aside in the tripartite agreement. …Mayor Doug O’Brien said he has “reservations” and pointed out much of the land is owned by Mosaic Forest Management, rather than the Crown. “I feel it would exceed your billion dollars easily, just for one land purchase,” O’Brien said. …Council voted in favour of Gaur’s resolution, with O’Brien opposed.