The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) backed the one and a half-day seminar on Challenges for Biodiversity Conservation and Human-Wildlife Conflicts – Identifying the problems and possible solutions organized in Sikkim. The states with JICA-sustained forestry schemes, MoEFCC officials, NGOs as well as research establishments based in Sikkim were invited to the workshop.
The goal of the workshop was to explore techniques for sustaining biodiversity, consisting of wildlife which is vital for India because biodiversity loss, leads to the imbalance of ecosystem with far-reaching consequences on livelihoods. The workshop targetted to solve the contest that takes place between people and wildlife when animals leave safeguarded zones and raid crops, creating difficulties for local communities.
Mr. L.B. Das, Honourable Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly delivered the inaugural speech as the Chief Guest. Mr. Karma Loday Bhutia, Honourable Minister for Forest and Mr. S.C. Gupta, Chief Secretary of Government of Sikkim participated in the workshop. Mr. Gupta addressed the delegates. Apart from the officials of the Sikkim government as the host of workshop, representatives of JICA-backed forestry schemes which have a constituent of Biodiversity Conservation and/or human-wildlife contest like Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Nagaland and Meghalaya made presentations on their known how on the topic.
Expressing his opinion on the event, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India spoke about JICA’s assistance to the North East States to enhance sustainable advancement of the region and observed that Conservation of biodiversity is crucial for India because the consequences of biodiversity loss will impact negatively livelihoods, health, food security and overall well-being of human society. JICA has been working to tackle the issue through forestry and biodiversity related projects with state forest departments since 1991. Sikkim biodiversity conservation and forest management project is one of the examples and the very first biodiversity conservation centric project supported by JICA. JICA aims to work with a dual conservation strategy which includes conserving protected areas by collaborating with local communities to reduce their impacts on the protected area. Our solutions include improving livelihood base through alternative income generating activities by SHGs and promoting alternative cropping & land-use through appropriate incentive program. This kind of workshop helps all stakeholders present to share and in cross-learn about the challenges, solutions, innovations and opportunities in biodiversity conservation and ways and means to enhance the resilience of local communities with adaptive measures in forest fringe villages.
The augmentation in human population and resultant necessity for natural resources is causing degradation and fragmentation of natural habitats thus, causing an atmosphere where humans and wildlife are contesting for the same resources. This change from coexistence to conflict has the power to damage the prevailing and future conservation endeavour and also obstruct accomplishments of both Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Biodiversity Targets. Solving human-wildlife conflict is thus emanating as one of the vital subjects of worries. It is vital to deal with this issue comprehensively and to co-create mitigation solutions by involving all connected stakeholders. Such efforts will also contribute specifically to the Sustainable Development Goals 1 (Poverty Reduction) and 15 (Life on Land- protection of land ecosystems, sustainable resource management, biodiversity). Dr. Hasegawa, JICA senior advisor on Biodiversity and Ecosystems tabled the recognised problems and probable solutions for human-wildlife contest, sharing the instances of human-bear conflict in Hokkaido in Japan, human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka, among other topics. He emphasised on the necessity of quality Environmental Impact Assessment during the process project formulation, and most significantly, advancement of long-term policies/strategies that make certain the conservation of safeguarded zones. They should be community-oriented, and engage numerous stakeholders, government agencies to make collective deliberations on the utilisation of natural resources.
About JICA
Formed, by a particular law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) targets to assist in the promotion of global cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency controlling ODA execution. JICA is the biggest bilateral donor agency. JICA acts as a bridge between Japan and developing nations, and furnishes aid in the shape of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the developing nations can fortify their efficiency. JICA has 27 forestry and natural resource management schemes in India and has granted an ODA loan of 270 billion Japanese Yen since 1991/92 towards the Sector. |
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