REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF MANIPUR BIODIVERSITY BOARD DURING 2014-2015

The Manipur Biodiversity Board is highly committed for conservation of Biodiversity, its sustainable use and sharing benefit from its commercial utilization with local people. During 2014-2015, one Annual Board Meeting was held on 16th Sept, 2014 at conference hall of old Secretariat under the Chairmanship of Shri P.C. Lawmkunga, IAS, the Chief Secretary of Manipur. Apart from the Annual Board Meeting, two meeting of expert Committee was held on 16th August 2014 in office premises of the Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba, Imphal for the amendments/addition of Manipur Biological Diversity Rules 2008 and on 22nd April 2015 at Mini Conference Hall, Forest Department, Govt. of Manipur regarding utilization of Bioresources of Manipur by IBSD, Takyelpat, Manipur in regards with obtaining IPR on “A Biofunigant comprising 2-Methyltetrahydro-3furanone” from Artemisiapallens. The important activities, undertaken by the Board have been described in succeeding sections.

1. Celebration of International Biodiversity Day, 2014 :

International Biodiversity Day (State level) was celebrated at Synod Hall, Churachandpur on 22/5/2014 with co-operation of Divisional Forest Officer, Churachandpur and his staff. Shri P.C. Lawmkunga, IAS, the Chief Secretary of Manipur and A.K. Rana, IFS, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, graced the function as the Chief Guest and the President of the function. All the Forest Officers of Manipur and other dignitaries, School Children etc. were attended the function. In connection with the International Biodiversity Day, painting competition was also organized at Manipur Forest Training School, Koirengei. The winner in the competition were given prizes on the function of International Biodiversity Day at Synod Hall, Churachandpur.
Apart from the State level, International Biodiversity Day were also celebrated in the hill district of Senapati and Churachandpur District.

2. Village Botanist Course :

The 3rd Batch of 1st and 2nd level village Botanists Course was organized from 3rd and 5th December, 2014 at Manipur Forest Training School in Collaboration with F.R.L.H.T., Bangalore. The 3rd and 4th level of the same course was organized at Manipur Forest Training School from 24th to 28th March, 2015. During the course, BMC members, Folk healers, and other stakeholders were taught on different topics such as Medicinal plants and its diversity, Health Tradition and Traditional knowledge, making of herbarium, etc. 20 persons of BMC members and stakeholders participated the course. The valedictory function was held on 28th March at the Forest main Conference Hall, Sanjenthong in which Shri P.C. Lawmkunga, IAS, the Chief Secretary and Shri Bala Prasad, IFS, the principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Manipur was the Chief Guest and President of the function.

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3. Awareness Programme :

Two days Awareness Programme for BMC members was also organized at MFTS, Koirengei from 2-3rd March, 2015. About 50 participants from different districts of Manipur participated in the programme. Many resources persons gave lectures on different topics such as Guideline for operationalization of BMC, Preparation of BPR, Operation and Maintenance of accounts, Conservation and Utilization of Bioresources, BD Act, 2002 &Rules, 2004. In addition to this, 5(five) awareness programmes were also organised through DFOs in 5(five) hill districts i.e. Tamenglong, Kangpokpi (Senapati), Chandel, Ukhrul and Churachandpur.

4. Writing of PBRs :

Besides completed 10 PBRs, 2 more PBRs of Challow and L. Pungthar village are in advance stages. Writing two more PBRs of Mongken BMC and Mualnuam BMC of Churachandpur Districts are also in Progress.

5. Apart from the above activities, the following works were also taken up during 2014-2015.

i) Created 3 Biodiversity Nurseries Centres at Churachandpur, Thoubal and Kangpokpi areas under the supervision of respective DFOs to rehabilitate of areas of Biodiversity importance.
ii) Published Manipur Biodiversity Calendar, 2015.
iii) GIA is given to partnership in progress Mission, Churachandpur for plantation of Lemon grass over 2 ha.
iv) Published 250 copies of monograph on “Butterflies of Manipur”.

v) Publication of Booklet on “Biodiversity in Manipur” is in progress. In addition to the above, publication of two leaflets on “Manipur the refugia for vanishing jewel” and “God’s own Garden” are in progress.
vi) Constructed 9(nine) Biodiversity Awareness Signboards to be fixed at important points to give more awareness about biodiversity to the public.