Itanagar: A comprehensive three-day pilot programme concluded on March 7th, equipping Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) from across Arunachal Pradesh with vital skills to uphold the Biological Diversity Act (2002) and safeguard the state’s rich ecological tapestry. The initiative, spanning from March 5th, drew nearly forty participants from diverse districts, marking a significant stride in local capacity building.
The programme’s inauguration was led by a distinguished panel of experts, including Dr. K.A. Ahmed Kabeer from the Botanical Survey of India, Itanagar, Dr. Devendra Kumar of the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Itanagar, Dr. S.D. Gurumayum from ZSI Itanagar, and Dr. Bamin Yakang of the Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board (APBB). Further contributing were Dr. Krishna Chowlu, also from the Botanical Survey of India, Itanagar, and Dr. Tridip Kumar Dutta of the EIACP Centre on Biodiversity (Fauna), ZSI Kolkata.
Participants delved into crucial aspects of natural resource management, its pivotal role in Arunachal Pradesh’s economic landscape, and the future of biodiversity preservation. Expert-led discussions covered a wide spectrum, including citizen science, biodiversity restoration, insect and bio-prospecting, and agro-biodiversity livelihood support for marginalized communities. The programme underscored the significance of indigenous species, traditional knowledge, sustainable livelihoods, medicinal plants, and the mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts.
Practical learning was a cornerstone of the initiative, with field visits to the Itanagar Biological Park and the Bamboo Technology Park in Poma Village, Sangdupota Circle, providing hands-on experience in biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices. A concluding panel discussion allowed participants to share insights and perspectives.
The programme culminated in a valedictory session attended by officials from the EIACP Centre on Biodiversity (Fauna), ZSI Kolkata, ZSI Itanagar, APBB, and APSMPB. Shri Dohu Robin, IFS, Director of the Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, graced the event as a special guest, where participation certificates were presented to BMC members.
This initiative, conducted in alignment with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) guidelines, and facilitated by the Environmental Information Awareness Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) Centre on Biodiversity (Fauna), ZSI Kolkata, Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre (APRC), ZSI Itanagar, and the Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board (APBB), at the conference hall of ZSI Itanagar, represents a vital step in empowering local communities to protect their natural heritage and ensure a sustainable future for Arunachal Pradesh.
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