Nature conversation effective if people play central role: Key takeaway from Pune workshop

Close to 60 people from 35 different organisations, who attended the workshop, were given a resource kit with details of organisations, details of various laws necessary for rural biodiversity conservation.

Dr Girija Godbole from The Nature Conservancy emphasised the importance of inclusive and equitable conservation practices and explained the nature of TNC’s work in different parts of the world.

The workshop held panel discussions and sessions on topics such as connecting people and landscape, ensuring equity and inclusion in conservation, harnessing biodiversity act for inclusive nature conservation.

A field visit was arranged to Velhe Tehsil in Pune on the second day of the workshop i.e June 27. Participants observed and learnt from local conservation projects of one organisation working in the rural areas of Pune district.

The community representatives discussed surveys, sacred groves and the aspirations for sustainable livelihoods.

The session on Harnessing Biodiversity Act for inclusive nature conservation, provided an in-depth look at the Biodiversity Act and how it can be leveraged to promote inclusive conservation. Sanjay Upadhyay, a Supreme Court advocate in Delhi, spoke on the use of laws of environment and the complexities generated by various definitions, tangible and intangible values of people, and the developmental changes. He explained the need to understand and proactively use the laws and influence the policies for a better environment.

Dr Rahul Mungikar, formerly with Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board spoke of his experiences of working with various civic bodies and processes in different states for implementation of the Biodiversity Act, 2002.