Biodiversity Management Committees to be made fully operational in J&K

JAMMU: J&K Biodiversity Council (J&KBC) held its 5th Meeting under the Chairmanship of Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator & HoFF who is also Chairman of said Council.

The Council reviewed the action taken on decisions taken in the previous meeting besides the agenda items listed for the meetingwere discussed and decisions were taken.

The Chairman expressed satisfaction about progress of updation of People Biodiversity Registers and e-dashboard, and further asked for ensuring the completion of updation during this year. It was also informed that J&K Biodiversity Council has already entered into MoUs with SKUAST Jammu and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University. Besides, Council is also working on signing of MoUs with other Universities and institutes in J&K.

During the meeting, Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan for J&K also came under discussion and it was informed that in compliance to directions of Chief Secretary, J&K, the plan is being revisited for making it more practicable and action oriented. Council also took note of opening of bank accounts of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and it was advised to ensure that required bank accounts of all the BMCs are opened and made operational during current year.
Council also discussed progress with respect to mechanism for Access Benefit Sharing (ABS) with BMCs and it was decided that help of Industries department, Pollution Control Committee and AYUSH department shall be taken for getting the information about the industries utilizing bio-resources.

Council also took note of report of Sub-Committee regarding Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHSs) and it was decided that Sub-Committee shall reconvene a meeting to list the potential sites so that field visits for ground truthing can be arranged. With regard to strengthening of Council, it was mentioned that the same shall be considered by department in its restructuring proposal so that adequate manpower is arranged for effective working of Council.

Members also suggested for institution of awards for BMCs which perform exemplary to encourage them and create sense of competition and appreciation among them.

The meeting of J&K Biodiversity Council was attended by Sarvesh Rai, Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, J. Frankoi, Director, JKFRI/Member Secretary, J&K Biodiversity Council, T. Rabi Kumar, PCCF/CEO, CAMPA, Dr. K. Anandh, CCF, Central, Waseem Raja, Addl. Secretary, Rural Development Department, Vivek Modi, Spl. Secretary (Technical), Forest Department.

The Non official members included Dr. C.M. Seth, (Retd.), Prof. Sajad Ahmad Gangoo, Dean Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST, Kmr., Dr.Anzar Ahmad Khuroo, Deptt. of Botany, University of Kashmir and Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Deptt. of Botany, University of Jammu besides officers/officials of JKFRI/J&K Biodiversity Council.