Training of Trainers Programme on Operationalisation of BMCs in Tamil Nadu at State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Tamil Nadu

16 Nov, 2019

The Access and Benefit Sharing Partnership Project in collaborated with Kerala Institute of Local Administration to prepare draft training modules and pilot tested the training for members of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in August 2019. Based on the lessons learnt from the pilot testing and feedback obtained from the members of BMCs training modules were revised.

In partnership with the State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, 50 trainers from 32 districts of Tamil Nadu were selected based on criteria such as academic qualification and training experience in the area of environment, natural resources, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and biodiversity to undergo Training of Training (ToT) programme.

The project had also conducted a training needs analysis of the trainers who were selected to participate in this ToT. The results revealed that participants had very little knowledge about the concept of biodiversity, BMCs or the Biodiversity Act. Therefore, ToT programme was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 of the training focused on technical aspects, including a field visit to learn about the preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers to support in-depth learning of concepts, various aspects of the Biodiversity Act. Phase 2 dealt with Fundamental training concepts, participatory training methods and examination conducted over three and two days, respectively. Participants were divided into two batches for phase 1 of training held from 11-13 November 2019 and 14-16 November 2019. Phase 2 of training held from 29-30 November 2019 for which all participants were brought together, which also enhanced the learnings and experience sharing. The ToT was delivered using participatory training methods.

Phase 1 of the training covered the following topics.

• Understanding of the concept of biodiversity and drawing interlinkages between biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge practices in the community
• Objectives of Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and its establishment
• Functions BMCs and its operationalisation
• Field visit to learn about the preparation of Peoples’ Biodiversity Registers (PBRs)
• Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and the role of BMCs

Participants were also given an assignment to document 1-2 formats in PBRs.

Phase 2 of the training dealt with the following aspects:

• Fundamental training concepts
• Participatory training methods
• Facilitation skills
• Discussion on the role of trainer and community leadership
• Presentation of assignment on PBR
• 1.5 hours of examination for certification as district trainers

Dr A. Arputharaj who heading the Center for Climate Change and Natural Resources Management, SIRD inaugurated the ToT programme. He spoke about the importance of capacity building for BMCs and their role in the effective implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Master trainers from Tamil Nadu, M. Prabhagaran, Mr Ranjith Kumar, Mr Nandakumar S. facilitated 5-day ToT programme. Participatory methods such as interactive lectures, marketplace, fish-bowl discussions, and situational role-play etc. were adopted in the ToT, including examples and case studies relevant to Tamil Nadu, and relatable to participants.

Field visits to Thiruporur BMC office, the Irula Tribe Women’s Welfare Society (Traditional Knowledge holders) and a farmers group based in Sirukundram, Tamil Nadu were organised. The field visited provided participants with practical knowledge and hands-on training on the documentation of PBRs. Fishbowl discussion was held to enable participants to share their experience and insights from the field visits.

Trainers interacting with members of Irula Tribal Women’s Welfare Society

An examination was held on 30 November 2019 attended by all trainers who participated in the ToT. In the concluding session, trainers were requested to provide anonymous feedback on the training and suggestions for improvement. The ABS Partnership Project will be finalising the six modules based on feedback received in this ToT and will also be preparing a design guide to share lessons learnt and implementation of ToT on the operationalisation of BMCs.

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About the project

The ABS Partnership Project aims at strengthening the capacity of the National Biodiversity Authority, selected State Biodiversity Boards, Biodiversity Management Committees, as well as creating awareness amongst commercial users of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge for the effective implementation of ABS mechanisms under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 in keeping with India’s commitments under the Nagoya Protocol for ABS. Read more

For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de