Tapping into Existing Institutional Structures (SIRD) for Mainstreaming the Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems

In a bid to enhance the conservation efforts related to aquatic biodiversity in the North Eastern Himalayan Region of India, a five-day workshop focusing on the Biodiversity Act, 2002 and the preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers recently wrapped up in Meghalaya. The workshop, which took place from June 10 to June 14, was a collaborative effort between the State Institute of Rural Development, Government of Meghalaya, and GIZ. Under the Project ‘Protection and Sustainable Management of Aquatic Resources in the North Eastern Himalayan Region of India’ (NERAQ), the workshop aimed to empower master trainers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage aquatic biodiversity.

The event drew the participation of 30 representatives from the State Biodiversity Boards of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Manipur, alongside master trainers affiliated with the Meghalaya State Institute of Rural Development. Highlighting the pivotal role played by Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in the conservation of community-level biodiversity, the workshop through various interactive sessions and discussions centered around the Biodiversity Act. The workshop saw discussions on the significance of biodiversity conservation, and strategies for safeguarding local diversity, and underscored the importance of managing and monitoring aquatic diversity within the region.

An essential aspect of the workshop was the introduction of a toolkit by GIZ, outlining methodologies for the effective management of aquatic diversity. The toolkit is poised to serve as a valuable resource for participants moving forward in their biodiversity conservation endeavours.

P Agrahari, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Government of Meghalaya, shed light on the pivotal role of the Biological Diversity Act in empowering BMCs to safeguard local biodiversity. Director of the State Institute of Rural Development, Sanme R Marak, concluded the workshop by urging participants to translate their newfound knowledge and skills into action within their respective communities.