Training on concept and protocol in constituting Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002

21 Apr, 2018

The Access and Benefit Sharing Partnership Project conducted training on the concept and protocol in constituting and functioning of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 on 20th & 21st April 2018 at Hotel GRT Grand, Chennai.

The aim of the two-day training was to strengthen the understanding of the process involved in the establishment of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and role of BMCs in implementing the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The participants of the training were District Forest Officers (DFOs) who are nominated as Nodal Officers, specifically for constituting BMCs at the block level in the state of Tamil Nadu. A total of 32 nodal officers have been nominated covering all districts in the state as per the government order dated 20.03.2018.

Participants in the workshop

The training specifically focused on the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, case studies from other State Biodiversity Boards in India and mandates under Tamil Nadu Biological Diversity Rules, 2017 were elaborated. An interactive session on the operational aspects and functions of Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) enabled the participants to understand the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and its provisions in detail and the key role of Biological Diversity Management (BMCs) in managing their bio resources and ensure its conservation.

Participants engaged in discussions during the interactive session with senior Forest Department Officers

The nodal officers informed about the developments in BMC constitutions since March 2018. The process of BMC constitution is completed in 125 blocks out of the total 385 blocks in Tamil Nadu, and currently, measures are being taken to constitute BMC in all other blocks. The workshop provided a platform for nodal officers to discuss and debate on their role and the procedures to be followed for BMC functioning. The Nodal Officers showed the keen interest in coordinating the activities related to BMC & PBR documentation and also help with identifying key resources people, organisations and institutions in their respective districts for future activities. A total of 27 Nodal Officers and 15 senior officials from the Forest Department participated in the training.