Biodiversity strategy & action plan revision underway
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 28 2025: The Forest Department, through the Manipur Biodiversity Board (MBB), has launched the revision process for the Manipur Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (MBSAP) in partnership with the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) and GIZ-NERAQ.

The initiatives was announced during the first Stakeholders' Consultation Workshop held at the forest headquarters in Imphal on Tuesday.

The workshop had representatives of various government departments, academia, policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, and community leaders to discuss strategies for conserving and sustainably managing the state's rich biodiversity, according to a statement issued by the Forest Department.

In his inaugural address, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) Anurag Bajpai highlighted the critical role of forests and their ecosystems in preserving biodiversity and supporting livelihoods.

He reminded that forests is the largest source of raw materials in the state and urged the participants to develop an actionable and timebound plan to guide future conservation initiatives while ensuring tangible benefits for local communities.

He also pointed out the need for inter-departmental collaboration to tackle the interconnected challenges of biodiversity conservation and suggested involving university and college students in the revision process.

He noted that integrating the perspectives and technological acumen of the current generation would enhance the plan's relevance.

The PCCF also called for the development of a roadmap with a time-bound action plan and a held mechanism for implementation.

The discussions at the workshop focused on identifying gaps in the existing MBSAP and aligning it with national and global biodiversity frameworks.

Stakeholders engaged in interactive group sessions to assess challenges, exchange insights, and prioritise conservation needs.

The workshop marked a crucial step toward promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration in protecting the state's unique biodiversity.

The revision process is expected to be completed by April 2025, setting the stage for a comprehensive strategy to address the state's biodiversity challenges, the statement added.

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