NEW DELHI, Jun 20: The first meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) for Trans-Boundary Landscape (TBL) initiatives in the Indian Himalayan region was held on Tuesday here at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC).
The meeting was jointly organized by the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
At the outset, ICIMOD Director General Dr David Molden presented an overview on initiatives of the ICIMOD in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and the trans-boundary landscape level programme in India.
Following the presentation, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr Molden and Dr RS Rawal, director of GBPNIHESD for joint execution and implementation of research and developmental activities in the Indian Himalayan region.
The MoU signed between the two institutions will be valid for the period of 10 years.
Dr Rawal briefed the house about the three landscape programmes being implemented by the institute in coordination with the ICIMOD and in partnership with various national and state level organizations and institutions in the Indian Himalayan region.
Subsequently, brief presentations on progress made and success achieved under the three trans-boundary landscape initiatives; such as Landscape Development Initiative for Far-Eastern Himalaya (Hi-LIFE), Khangchendzonga Landscape (KL) Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI), and Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI) were made by Scientist In-Charge North-East regional Centre, Arunachal Pradesh, MS Lodhi, Programme Coordinator-KLCDI-India Dr KS Gaira and Scientist-D, Co-Investigator, KSLCDI from GBPNIHESD Dr Rajesh Joshi respectively.
The national coordination committee critically reviewed progress of the three initiatives made during previous years and provided input for further improvement and way forward for establishing long-term institutional mechanisms at national and sub-national level in respective TBL landscapes.
Chairing the meeting, MoEF&CC Additional Secretary AK Jain appreciated the efforts made by the GBPNIHESD over the years and mentioned that the TBL initiatives need to be integrated with other national programmes and initiatives of various government departments.
He further mentioned that government organizations should also take the advantage of the R&D findings of institutions like GBPNIHESD.
During the meeting, Lalit Kapur, Adviser MoEF &CC, Dr Subrata Bose Director, MoEF &CC, Jyotsna Sitling Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill and Entrepreneurship Development, GoI, Dr Eklabya Sharma, Prof Nishamani Kar, RGU, Arunachal Pradesh and Dr BK Acharya were also present.
