Shillong, Nov 28: A significant step towards strengthening community-based conservation efforts in Meghalaya was taken via the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Meghalaya Biodiversity Board (MBB), North East Society for Agroecology Support (NESFAS) and The Nature Conservancy Centre (TNCC).
The MoU involves joint efforts to support Biodiversity Management Committees in preparing People’s Biodiversity Registers; capacity building of communities for the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act (2002); and activities related to conservation, restoration and improved management of natural resources and associated knowledge by communities.
A training manual (customised for the needs of Meghalaya) for the preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers was also launched on this day. The manual is an outcome of the shared commitment of MBB, NESFAS and TNCC to preserve our natural heritage.
The event was graced by several distinguished guests including Mr. R. Nainamalai, IFS (Member Secretary, MBB); Ms. Stevia Kharmalki (AO, MBB); Dr. Sushil Saigal (Executive Director, TNCC), Dr. Aditya Gangadharan (Programme Lead-Lands, TNCC); Bah Phrang Roy (Founding Chairperson, NESFAS); and Bah Pius Ranee (Executive Director, NESFAS) along with the staff of NESFAS.
The programme commenced with an opening address by Pius Ranee, who highlighted the significance of preserving indigenous knowledge and biodiversity. “Our partnership with Meghalaya Biodiversity Board, TNCC and its parent organisation has been instrumental in upgrading People’s Biodiversity Registers.
So far, we have completed the upgradation of 71, and anticipate reaching close to 300 by 2026. The process involves more than documentation; it is holistic and includes capacity building of communities, identification of nature-based solutions, and planning for landscape-level conservation among many others.
We are grateful for the ongoing support and collaboration with MBB and TNCC as we strive to scale these initiatives further across Meghalaya”, he stated.
Gratia Dkhar, Programme Coordinator, NESFAS shared a presentation with an enlightening overview of the “Upgradation of People’s Biodiversity Registers”, to emphasize the importance of this initiative in documenting and preserving our rich biodiversity.
Dr Sushil Saigal provided further background on the ongoing project. He noted that TNCC is “a hands-on organisation led by science. We collaborate with governments and communities to implement nature-based solutions that benefit both nature and people. By partnering with NESFAS, we hope to support the already strong linkages between people and nature in the state of Meghalaya. This is a long-term commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.”
Mr. R. Nainamalai, IFS, addressed the gathering by stating the importance of People’s Biodiversity Registers in conserving biodiversity. “NESFAS and TNCC’s people-centric approach to conservation is impressive. Tools like the training module developed by NESFAS are crucial for effective conservation”, he stated. He appreciated the ongoing efforts by NESFAS for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
Bah Phrang Roy reflected on lessons learned from the past and urged the people to shift their focus to nature-based solutions. “Climate change and income inequality require immediate attention in light of the present-day challenges. To address them, understanding indigenous knowledge and applying community-based approaches is crucial.
Empowering local communities and supporting initiatives such as the People’s Biodiversity Registers will help us protect biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for us. It is also essential to prioritise capacity building and knowledge strengthening to further nourish these initiatives.” He concluded his speech with a call-to-action wherein he spoke about creating a world where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.
As the programme concluded, Janak P Singh, Senior Associate, NESFAS, proposed the vote of thanks. He expressed his gratitude to all the attendees and said that this partnership will help achieve the desired outcomes.
The formal gathering was followed by a Farmers’ Market, which aims to provide a platform for local farming communities to showcase their products and hence empower them.
A plethora of fresh farm produce and other goodies was displayed for the attendees to interact and purchase directly from the farmers. People thronged the vibrant stalls to experience vibrant indigenous flavours, taking small steps that a make big difference.
