IMPHAL, November 1: The Forest and Environment Department, Government of Manipur has constituted Technical Support Groups (TSG) for five districts for operationalization of documentation of People’s Biodiversity Register and operationalization of Biodiversity Committee (BMCs) issued by the National Biodiversity Authority, Government of India for assisting the BMCs in the preparation of PBRs and allied activities.
The technical groups were constituted for Imphal District/central forest division, Thoubal district/forest division, Bishnupur district/forest division, Ukhrul district/forest division and Churachandpur district/southern forest division.
For Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, the groups will be headed by (group leader/convenor) Divisional Forest Officer concerned with representative of Life Science department of MU, District Agriculture Officer, District Fishery Officer and Joint Director (vety) of the concerned districts as the members.
For Ukhrul and Churachandpur district the Division Forest officer concerned will be the group leader of the committee with chairman/representatives of ADC, representatives of Pettigrew College (Churachandpur college in respect of Churachandpur), District Officer (H&SC), District Fishery Officer and District Agriculture Officers of the concerned districts as the members.
Each groups leader may co-operate local NGO/Herbal Practitioner as members while the TSG shall assist the BMCs in listing local names of flora, fauna and current practices of communities regarding conservation within its territorial jurisdiction, to be included in the PBR (to assist the BMCs in the preparation of PBRs).
The TSG also shall assist BMCs with regard to collection fee, benefit sharing and management of heritage sites, scared groves and water bodies.
Moreover, the respective group leader/convenor shall convene meetings of the TSG as often as necessary and all the members shall attend such meetings.