IMPHAL: The Manipur Biodiversity Board (MBB), which is part of the Forest Department, has begun a project to update the Manipur Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (MBSAP) with help from the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) and GIZ-NERAQ.
The first stakeholders' consultation workshop was held on January 28 at the Forest Headquarters in Imphal. Participants, including representatives from various government departments, academia, policy makers, researchers, civil society organizations, and community leaders, came together to discuss strategies for the conservation and sustainable management of the state’s rich biodiversity.
Anurag Bajpai, PCCF & HoFF, emphasized the critical role of forests and ecosystems in preserving biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of people in Manipur. He stressed the importance of forests as the state’s largest source of raw materials and urged participants to develop a feasible, time-bound action plan for future conservation efforts, ensuring benefits for local communities.
Bajpai also emphasized the need for different departments to work together to tackle the linked challenges of biodiversity conservation and make sure the revised MBSAP is properly implemented. He also suggested involving university and college students in the process, as their ideas and tech skills would be valuable.
The discussions aimed to find gaps in the current MBSAP and make sure it matches national and global biodiversity goals. Group sessions helped people talk about challenges, share ideas, and decide what conservation needs are most important. There were also talks to set clear goals, plans, and timelines for updating the MBSAP.
This event was an important step in getting different groups to work together to protect Manipur’s unique biodiversity. The revision process is expected to be finished by April 2025.
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