ITANAGAR, OCT 22:

Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) has called for integrating traditional knowledge with scientific research to strengthen biodiversity conservation and protect Arunachal Pradesh’s rich ecological heritage.

He made the observation when Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board chairman Hawa Bagang called on him at Lok Bhavan here on Thursday and briefed him on initiatives to conserve biodiversity, protect biological resources and promote their sustainable use.

The Governor said indigenous communities possessed generations of knowledge about forests, medicinal plants, wildlife, sacred groves and sustainable resource management. He advised the Board to systematically document, preserve and promote this heritage in collaboration with local knowledge holders, complementing indigenous wisdom with modern scientific approaches.

Parnaik stressed the need to address challenges such as habitat loss, climate change, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources and the erosion of traditional knowledge. He called for greater community participation, stronger Biodiversity Management Committees and effective maintenance of People’s Biodiversity Registers.

He also urged the Board to engage youth, students, researchers and village institutions in conservation initiatives while promoting sustainable livelihoods and encouraging communities to become custodians of their natural heritage.

Emphasising that conservation should become a people’s movement, the Governor called for greater efforts to encourage younger generations to learn from village elders, revive sustainable traditional practices and take pride in the state’s ecological wealth.

He said development and conservation must progress hand in hand to ensure that Arunachal Pradesh’s natural heritage is protected and preserved for future generations.

Bagang expressed his commitment to undertaking concrete initiatives to strengthen biodiversity conservation in the state.