DAPORIJO, May 23: Celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board (APBB) on Tuesday sought community participation in the effort for conserving the state’s rich biodiversity.
The APBB celebrated the day with the theme, “Celebrating 25 years of Action for Biodiversity” at Daporijo, the headquarters of Upper Subansiri district.
Speaking on the occasion, Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Danish Ashraf emphasized on the need to conserve every single species.
Citing the examples of biodiversity conservation by the local communities in and around Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, he appealed to the people of Daporijo to learn from them.
APBB Chairman Tapen Siga appealed for sustainable utilization of the bio-resources. He urged the local people to become a responsible citizen and maintain the biodiversity.
APBB Member Secretary Dusu Shra briefed about the importance of celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity all over the world and the motive behind it.
As a part of celebration, an awareness lecture series was organised where Dr Kenjum Bagra from the State Biodiversity Board and Lobsang Tashi Thungon from the NERIST delivered lecture as resource persons.
Earlier, the deputy commissioner felicitated state silver medal winner Mudang Challiang, chairman ofthe Biodiversity Management Committee, Hong Niitii for his contribution in the field of biodiversity conservation.
The Biodiversity Management Committee, Hong Niitii, Ziro was also felicitated for winning Indian Biodiversity Award, 2016 conferred by the National Biodiversity Authority and UNDP, New Delhi.
The prizes to the winners of the painting competition, which was conducted among the school children on the eve of the celebration, were also distributed.
More than 300 participants from 25 villages, heads of various departments in the districts, forest officials, biodiversity activists, school children and NGO representatives attended the programme.
At Ziro: Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), Hong (Niitii) also observed the day at the community hall, Hanoko (Hong) in Lower Subansiri district.
Lower Subansiri Additional Deputy Commissioner Nending Chatung said it is the human beings, who are responsible for destruction of the biodiversity. He called upon all BMCs of the district to emulate the tireless effort made by Hong BMC in conserving the biodiversity. He said an executive order will be issued for maintaining biodiversity effectively.
DFO Koj Rinya cautioned the people to not indulge in hunting, stating that stern action would be initiated against any defaulters, irrespective of their status.
Appreciating the NGOs of Ziro for their concern for preservation of the environment, she exhorted them to assist the department in checking illegal hunting and selling of wild animals.
“Plastic is the one of the major causes of concern in our age which affects the environment,” said former member secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board, Ngilyang Tam.
He suggested the district administration and NGOs to work jointly for a plastic-free environment.
Earlier, Tapi Tai, Advisor, BMC, Hong (Niitii) said the BMC, Hong (Niitii) is working tirelessly towards conservation and management of biological resources for sustainable development, including food security and upholding the traditional knowledge of using biological resources in local utilities since its formation in year 2009.
He further highlighted the various activities taken up by the BMC, like formation of self help groups for tailoring, bee keeping, piggery units etc, for supportive and alternative livelihood to minimize the cutting of trees and hunting; creation of community conservation area, conservation of sacred groves of Hong village; creation of medicinal plant conservation area; publication of the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) and Bio-Cultural Community Protocol (BCP), etc.
He also disclosed their future programme to be taken up, such as creation of biodiversity heritage site, to identify heritage trees and water body, to identify and conserve ethno-medicinal plants and to create trekking routes for eco-tourism.
It is worth mentioning here that the BMC, Hong has received the runners-up award under ‘India Naturally Celebrating Winners of India Biodiversity Award’ in 2016, organized by the UNDP, citation of appreciation from the state governor, state award of silver medal from GoAP on the occasion of Republic Day 2018 and was also invited to participate along with 175 participants countries in the Conference of the Parties-XI (Cop-XI) at Hyderabad.
Earlier, the dignitaries released the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) book.
As part of International Day for Biological Diversity, the BMC, Hong (Niitii) organized an essay competition for schools and college students and the winners were awarded.
Earlier, a plantation programme was organized in and around Hanoko.
A large number of public, including NGOs, gaon burahs-buris, officers and official participated in the daylong programme. (With inputs from DIPRO)
