AGARTALA, March 13 (TIWN): Workshop on “Strengthening the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act and Rules with focus on its access and benefit sharing provisions’’ was held at Pragna Bhavan today. Though it was scheduled that Minister Naresh Jamatia will inaugurate the programme, but due to some circumstances, lighting the lamp is made by Dr. V.K. Bahaguna, Principal Secretary, and forests, Agriculture and Horticulture and Animal Resources Departments. Among the other dignitaries, welcome address was given by Dr.A.K. Gupta, overview of the project at National level was discussed by Ishwar C. Poojar, National Project Manager, and NBA. Besides that overview on NBA was briefed by S.Talukdar, PCcF and HoFF. Chief Secretary and Chairman TBB G.Kameshwar Rao also present at the dais.

Stressing the importance of the issue, Mr. Bahugana told that , Tripura is rich in bio-resources that abounds in villages, but their commercial use do not fetch Real Value of the given bio-resource, since in most cases poor and ignorant owners of the bio resources fail to appreciate the Real Value of the Products. Therefore this project intends to set this imbalance right in facilitating reach of equitable share of benefits out of the real value earned by the commercial producers or users of said, bio-resources to the owners through the BioDiversity Management Committees (BMCs). At present, the TBB has already constituted 211 BMCs and has opened Local Diversity Fund in 142 BMcs, besides documenting 101 People’s BioDiversity Registers (PBR).

While. Mr. G.Kameshwar Rao in his valuable speech spotted out that this programme is for assessing and quantifying the economic value of bio-resources within the State and sharing the benefits among the stakeholders. Not only the project will help establishing state level databases on these bio resources but, will also help in poverty alleviation in the State. The TBB, thus by implementing UNEP-GEF-MoEF ABS Project is attempting to inculcate ownership feelings amongst owners of biodiversity being one of the most potent resources for their socio-economic and cultural benefits ultimately leading to poverty allevation. – He further added.

It is to be mention that currently the project is implemented in total six villages in Nalchar Block, Patichari and South Taibandal villages’ in Forest Ecosystem, Bordowal and Telkajala in Agriculture Eco system and Kemtali and Chandanmura in Wetland ecosystem. The Tripura Bio-Diversity Board was established on June 16, 2008 to promote conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits of the biodiversity resources present in the State.