Statewide Workshops Highlight Role of Biodiversity Committees

Patna: The Bihar government has initiated a series of training workshops to strengthen the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) established across all gram panchayats and municipal bodies in the state. These workshops aim to enhance the capacity of committee members, equipping them with knowledge about their roles in biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and the preservation of traditional ecological knowledge.

The one-day training sessions, with a participation cap of 100 individuals, have already been conducted in Hajipur, Mahua, Mahnar, Gaya, Aurangabad, Bihar Sharif, and Ara. Today’s session (19 November 2024) is being held in Nawada, with upcoming workshops scheduled for Jamui (28-29 November), Bhagalpur (5-7 December), Banka (9-10 December), and Buxar (11 December).

During the workshops, participants are introduced to the provisions of the Biodiversity Act and its accompanying rules. Experts also outline the rights and responsibilities of BMCs under the legislation. Addressing the sessions are scientists, local forest division officers, and district-level officials from agriculture, animal husbandry, and horticulture departments. Additionally, retired officers and experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and universities contribute by discussing the importance of biodiversity conservation and the implications of its decline.

Dr. Prem Kumar, Bihar’s Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, attended workshops in Gaya and Ara, encouraging participants to actively contribute to preserving biodiversity. He emphasized the shared responsibility of safeguarding the natural heritage that sustains life on Earth.

The workshops represent a concerted effort to ensure that the committees, integral to managing local biodiversity, are not only functional but also effective in addressing ecological challenges.