The PCCF/HoFF and Chairman, J&K Biodiversity Council, Dr. Mohit Gera today chaired the second meeting of J&K Biodiversity Council to review the progress made on the documentation of biodiversity of Jammu and Kashmir at Sheikh Bagh Lal Chowk, here.The Biodiversity Council has been constituted by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir with the objective of conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of use of biological resources and knowledge.During the meeting, the council was apprised of the progress made on the documentation of biodiversity of Jammu and Kashmir by way of updation of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) in consultation of Biodiversity Management Committees.The Committees have been constituted for 276 Intermediate Panchayats (Block Level), 4290 Village Panchayats and 76 Urban Local Bodies. The preparation of PBRs has also been completed in 4290 Village Panchayats and 76 Urban Local Bodies with the help of line departments and consultation with members of Biodiversity Management Committees.
The important agenda points discussed during the meeting of the Council were Development of City Biodiversity Index (CBI) and Local Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (LBSAP) for Jammu and Srinagar cities, Biodiversity Conservation Strategy & Action Plan for UT of Jammu & Kashmir, organising UT level events for creation of awareness in Biodiversity Conservation and Mechanism for sustainable utilization of NTFPs with the help of BMCs at the level of Village Panchayats.The Chairman J&K Biodiversity Council directed for time bound updation of People’s Biodiversity Registers; collaboration with National Biodiversity Authority for creating electronic PBRs; identification and notification of Biodiversity Heritage Sites; Development of City Biodiversity Index (CBI) and Local Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (LBSAP) for Jammu and Srinagar cities; and creation of mass awareness on benefits of Biodiversity and its conservation.The meeting was attended by Suresh Gupta, PCCF/ Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, representative of Administrative Department of Agriculture Production, Tej Kumar Bhat, representative of Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, J&K Rakesh K. Srangar, Director, Dr.Anzar Khuroo, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir and Dr. Sushil Verma, Division of Biodiversity, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, besides special invitees and other senior officers.