Kullu: H.P. State Biodiversity Board (HPSBB) organized one day Training workshop to effective implementation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Rules, 2004 at Govt. Degree College, Kullu, today. Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur presided over the function.

More than 925 participants including representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions of district Kullu and line departments including Forest, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Education, Animal Husbandry, Ayurveda and other stakeholders participated in training workshop.

In his address, Forest Minster mentioned the need to spread Biodiversity awareness in context of successfully addressing Biodiversity Conservation problems in the State. He said that considering all unique features of state biodiversity its conservation needs utmost and immediate concern of all stakeholders. He said that Biological diversity Act serves the purpose and that every stakeholder at every level who are deriving benefits either directly or indirectly from it and line departments should fully aware of the provisions of said Act.

Forest Minister said that the purpose of workshop was to enhance understanding and awareness about importance, role and issues of biodiversity. Information on conservation and sustainable use of bio-resources in the State was also disseminated.

Process of constitution of Biodiversity Management Committees at local level, role of Biodiversity Management Committees, Preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers and Access and Benefit Sharing of biological resources were the key issues in training workshop. It was apprised that HPSBB has released Rs. 66 lakhs to 126 Biodiversity Management Committees formed at Gram Panchayat level in the district.

A skit on biodiversity was also presented by Eco-clubs of Government Senior Secondary School Bajaura. Kunal Satyarthi Member Secretary HPSBB and Officers of Forest Department also spoke on various aspects of the Act.