Two-day biodiversity training held in Jharsuguda; startup fund and ABS support extended

By D. Subudhi
Jharsuguda, April 18: A two-day capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening grassroots biodiversity conservation was successfully held in Jharsuguda on April 17 and 18.

The training programme, organised jointly by the Odisha Biodiversity Board, Jharsuguda Forest Division and Bhubaneswar-based NGO SAPNA, took place at the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) auditorium.

The initiative focused on enhancing the knowledge and skills of members of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), particularly in areas such as conservation practices, preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), and scientific management of local biological resources.

A key highlight of the programme was the provision of a startup fund along with Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) support to the G. Panpali BMC. An amount of Rs 1,81,832 was distributed among benefit claimers from Bagidihi village under Panpali Gram Panchayat in Kirmira block.

Zilla Parishad Chairperson Tulabati Minj attended the programme as chief guest. Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Brajabandhu Bhoi and Divisional Forest Officer Manu Ashok Bhatt were also present. They emphasised the importance of community participation in biodiversity conservation and encouraged BMC members to take proactive roles at the grassroots level.

Subject 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, conducted technical sessions on scientific approaches to environmental protection and wildlife conservation.

The programme witnessed participation from a large number of BMC members across the district. Discussions centred on improving the effectiveness of BMCs at the gram panchayat level and promoting sustainable use of natural resources through community involvement.

The event was coordinated by SAPNA project coordinator Soumya Sekhar Mishra with support from other team members.