Jharsuguda, April 19: A two-day capacity-building programme for members of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) concluded in Jharsuguda on Saturday.
The initiative was jointly conducted by the Odisha Biodiversity Board, Jharsuguda Forest Division and Bhubaneswar-based SAPNA organisation at the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) auditorium.
The primary objective of the programme was to strengthen the knowledge and skills of BMC members in biodiversity conservation, preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and scientific management of local biological resources.
A significant highlight of the event was the provision of a dedicated startup fund & ABS (Access and Benefit Sharing) to the G.Panpali BMC. In this event, Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) funds to the tune of Rs 1,81,832 was distributed to the benefit claimers Bagidihi village of G. Panpali Gram Panchayat, Kirmira Block of Jharsuguda district.
Zilla Parishad Chairperson Tulabati Minj attended as chief guest, while Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Brajabandhu Bhoi and Divisional Forest Officer Manu Ashok Bhatt also graced the occasion. They encouraged participants to actively engage in conservation efforts at the grassroots level.
Experts including DFO Sisir Kumar Mishra from the Odisha Biodiversity Board, Senior scientist Dr Satya Ranjan Behera, Dr Prasanna Kumar Nayak and Prof Shiva Prasad Parida delivered detailed sessions on scientific approaches to environmental protection and wildlife conservation.
A large number of BMC members from across the district participated in the camp. Discussions focused on enhancing the effectiveness of BMCs at the gram panchayat level and ensuring community participation for sustainable use of natural resources.
The programme was coordinated by SAPNA project coordinator Somya Sekhar Mishra, with support from Manoranjan Mishra, Priyabrata Dash and Siba Sahoо.
Participants described the training as highly informative and beneficial for safeguarding local ecosystems and forest resources.
