Title: 8th ANNUAL NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT AND LIVELIHOODS
KeyWords: Biodiversity conservation, livelihood security, institutional strengthening, capacity building,mushroom cultivation, dairy,
Year of Publication: 2016
ISSN No:
Author Name: Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP), Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management, Department, Government of Sikkim, Forest Secretariat, NH-10, Deorali, Gangtok – 737102, Sikkim, India
Details:
The 8th Annual National Workshop organized by JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP), Forests Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim at Mayfair Resorts, Gangtok, Sikkim during February 29 to March 2, 2016 witnessed participation of professional foresters, subject specialists, donors and community. 45 delegates representing 9 states (excluding host state) where JICA-assisted forestry projects are in operation, JICA – India and Tokyo, JICA REDD + Survey Team, IORA and sector specialists participated in the workshop.
The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Tshering Wangdi Lepcha, Honourable Minister, Department of Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management, of Science, Technology & Climate Change, Mines, Minerals & Geology, Government of Sikkim. While delivering the key note address, highlighted various green initiatives undertaken by State Government to conserve biodiversity and natural resources of Sikkim. A compendium on “Progress and Achievements under JICA Forestry Projects”, compiled by SBFP and Proceedings of 7th Annual Workshop hosted by Uttar Pradesh Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation Project were released by the dignitaries during the inaugural session. The first two days were devoted to experience sharing and cross-learning through presentations on pre-announced topics, and the third day was utilized for exposure to SBFP activities and visit of
natural sites of Sikkim. The presentation covered wide areas of forest management and related issues, under each theme. Group discussion on the five themes provided an opportunity to bring out the recommendations and which are achievable and most relevant to the state forest development objectives. The themes for the group discussion were the following: Group-I: Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Group-II: Livelihood Security Group-III: Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Group-IV(a): Technology Based Monitoring Group-IV(b): Carbon Financing and REDD+ A wide range of issues starting from policy, regulation mechanisms for biodiversity conservation to forest and non- forest based livelihood activities and GIS based monitoring of the programs were discussed. It also elaborated on the issues of the institution building, capacity building of the stakeholders and accessibility of the forest users to forest resources and scope for REDD+ initiative and carbon financing mechanism in future forestry projects. How JICA supported forestry projects has contributed and continues to contribute to livelihood development, conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity and equitable benefit sharing involving local community was also presented by respective states who participated in the workshop.
The knowledge generated out of the workshop presentations, discussions and recommendations could open up further scope of project design, improved planning and implementation strategies, robust monitoring, applied research, and scope for involving community in scientific management especially in forest ecosystem services, carbon assessment programs and REDD+ .