ITANAGAR, SEP 17:
The Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APBB) organised a one-day Orientation-cum-Capacity Building Programme for reconstituted Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, as amended in 2023, in Itanagar on Thursday.
The programme was inaugurated by APBB Chairman Hawa Bagang in the presence of Member Secretary HB Abo.
More than 35 BMC representatives, including chairpersons and members from West Siang, Siang, Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare and West Kameng districts, along with officials and other stakeholders, participated.
In his inaugural address, Bagang highlighted the role of BMCs as the foundation of grassroots biodiversity governance and stressed the importance of community participation in conserving forests, rivers, medicinal plants and traditional knowledge.
Abo said the Board was committed to strengthening BMCs across the State through continuous capacity building, technical guidance and institutional support. He said the APBB was working towards operationalising key provisions of the amended Act, including Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and Certificate of Origin, through the Arunachal Pradesh Biological Diversity Rules.
The technical sessions covered the objectives and major amendments of the Biological Diversity Act, ABS, Biodiversity Heritage Sites, traditional knowledge, exemptions, Certificate of Origin and enforcement mechanisms. APBB Research Officer Dr Bamin Yakang delivered a detailed presentation on these provisions.
Dr Vikram Delu, Scientist, Zoological Survey of India, Itanagar Regional Centre, explained the roles and responsibilities of BMCs and stressed the importance of structured People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and proper documentation. He also shared practices followed in other states relating to biodiversity-related activities and necessary clearances.
Jaya Kumari of the Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme (BSIP-VI), National Biodiversity Authority, explained the significance of PBRs as community-based records of local biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
APBB Technical Assistant Guchi Sonia demonstrated the ABS End-to-End Portal, explaining digital processes for data integration, BMC registration and management of biodiversity-related information.
During an interactive session, BMC members raised queries on ABS, Biodiversity Heritage Sites, Local Biodiversity Funds, Certificate of Origin and implementation of the amended Act in Arunachal Pradesh.
APBB officials clarified the provisions and encouraged BMCs to work closely with the Board for effective implementation of biodiversity conservation initiatives.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by APBB Technical Assistant Dusu Rila, who expressed gratitude to the resource persons, participants and stakeholders and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to strengthening grassroots biodiversity governance in the State.
