Jammu & Kashmir Biodiversity Council, in collaboration with J&K Forest Department, today organised a one day Training program on Biodiversity Conservation here for Rehbar-e-Janglat officials of Forest Departments, here at Forest Information Centre, Bikram Chowk.Besides Biodiversity Conservation, the focus of training program was on updation of Biodiversity of Jammu & Kashmir which has already been documented in People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) of each Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC).During the program, PCCF (HoFF), J&K Forest Department, Dr. Mohit Gera addressed the Rehbar-e-Janglat and spoke about the achievements made till date on documentation and up-dation process of biodiversity in Jammu & Kashmir to ensure its conservation and sustainable utilization. He also highlighted the role of BMCs in Biodiversity Conservation. He impressed upon Rehbar-e-Janglat to work with full zeal and dedication and get associated with the updation of People Biodiversity Registers which is the register for biodiversity within the jurisdiction of BMC, which is a statutory authority. He also impressed upon to create a massive awareness at the grass root level with respect to Biodiversity Conservation and its Sustainable Utilization. He also informed on various initiatives of Forest Department on active involvement of BMCs in sustainable collection and utilization of Non-Timber Forest Produces (NTFP).
Earlier, the program started with the address of Asaf Mehmood, APCCF/ Director, J&K Forest Research Institute and Member Secretary, J&K Biodiversity Council. He talked about conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources. He impressed upon Rehbar-e-Janglat to update the PBRs to be allotted to them following the PBR guidelines issued by National Biodiversity Authority.The main presentation on PBR updation was made by Parvez Shagoo, Range Officer I/c Biodiversity Cell, J&K Biodiversity Council, who dealt in depth about different aspects of PBR formats, validation process, mandate of BMCs and future initiatives of the council involving BMCs and front lines field staff. He also explained PBR Guidelines issued by National Biodiversity Authority to the Rehbar-e-Janglat. During the programme an animated video on PBRs prepared by NBA was also shown to the participants.This was followed by the sharing of field experience by Rakesh Verma, Range officer Sunderbani Range, who talked in detail about his involvement in activation of BMCs in Sunderbani along with updation of PBRs.The entire program was moderated by Sanjay Gupta, ACF, J&K Biodiversity Council who spoke about the idea of having this training for Rehbar-e-Janglat and the need for awareness on Biodiversity at the local level. He also presented the Vote of thanks.