Imphal, Jan 28: The Manipur Biodiversity Board (MBB) of the Forest Department has initiated the exercise for revision of the Manipur Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (MBSAP) in partnership with the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) and GIZ-NERAQ. In the first Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop organised today at Forest headquarters in Imphal, the participants from the various Government Departments, academia, policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations and community leaders discussed strategies for conservation and managing the State’s rich biodiversity sustainably.
Also read | Minister Khashim Vashum Calls For Renewed Commitment To Growth
During the inaugural address, Anurag Bajpai, PCCF & HoFF highlighted the vital role forests and their ecosystems play in preserving biodiversity and supporting livelihoods in Manipur. He emphasized the significance of forest as the largest source of raw materials in the State and urged participants to develop an implementable time-bound Action Plan to drive future conservation initiatives while ensuring tangible benefits for the local communities. Bajpai also underlined the importance of inter-departmental collaboration to address the interconnected challenges of biodiversity conservation and to ensure the successful implementation of the revised MBSAP. He further suggested involving a group of young students from the university and colleges in the revision process so that the perception of the present generation or Gen-Z can also be integrated in the action plan along with their technological acumen. He further added to develop a Roadmap with a time-bound action plan and field mechanism for implementation.
The discussions focused on identifying gaps in the existing MBSAP and aligning it with national and global biodiversity frameworks. Stakeholders were involved in group sessions to assess challenges, exchange insights, and prioritize conservation needs. Interactive dialogues were held to outline key objectives, strategies, and timelines for updating MBSAP.
Also read | UNC Urges Strict Compliance Against Border Fencing
The event marked a crucial step in promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration to protect Manipur’s unique biodiversity through the revision of the state’s Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The workshop envisaged comprehensive insights and data addressing the state-specific biodiversity challenges and strategies. The workshop focused on developing a roadmap with a time-bound action plan and mechanism for implementation. The revision process is likely to be completed by April 2025.
(Newmai News Network)