The Meghalaya Biodiversity Board (MBB) today celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity on the theme ‘Be Part of the Plan’.
The day, also known as World Biodiversity Day, is observed every year on May 22 to promote biodiversity conservation. The United Nations proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness on biodiversity.
“Meghalaya, which is part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, harbours rich and diversified flora and fauna. Varied altitude, topography, status of soil and climatic conditions favour high species richness and support different types of forest. In view of the rich biodiversity and the associated traditional knowledge available in the state vis-a-vis the increasing level of threats to the species and their habitats, the Meghalaya Biodiversity Board along with the Forest Department is expected to play a pivotal role towards achieving the objectives of the Biological Diversity Act and Rules,” Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, the chief guest, said.
He added that the arduous task of constituting Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in all the 6,459 village level local bodies and nine urban local bodies has been completed. Apart from the constitution of the BMCs, the MBB has also prepared the People’s Biodiversity Registers for all the BMCs and the work for upgrading them is going on.
This year’s theme for IDB 2024 “Be part of the Plan”, is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the Biodiversity Plan.
The Board is conducting awareness campaigns in all the Districts of the State as per the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and trying to activate the BMCs to stop deforestation and conserve and protect biodiversity. Many BMCs are activated, for example, Umru BMC got special appreciation from NBA and UNDP for protecting the Amur Falcons. Similarly many other BMCs like Kynton Massar BMC, Moolamylliang BMC, Aruakgre BMC, Umtngam BMC and communities such as Sein Raij Khlo Blai Community Reserve, Chyrmang Community Reserve got State Level Conservation Awards.
The Best Biodiversity Management Committee Award (BMC) 2024 was given to Paglapara BMC, Zikzak C&RD Block, South West Garo Hills, Meghalaya and State Level Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable use of Biological Resources award to Jermanai Village, Umling C&RD Block, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya. Award of Appreciation to the DNOs was also presented for their dedication and conservation work done for conservation of biodiversity in the state.
