ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: World Forestry Day was observed today by the Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board (APBB) through 'Itanagar Biodiversity Walk' at Gyakar Sinyik or popularly known as Ganga lake.
The biodiversity walk was carried out in three different trails inside the lake premises by documenting the flora and fauna seen in the local landscapes. The 74 participants were divided in three groups led by Dr. L.R. Bhuyan, Dr.B.S. Rawat, D.Yonggam, Dr.Daniel Mize, Dr.Joram Khopey Dr.B.B.Bhatt, Tajum Yomcha, Dr.R.K Taj and Dr.G Murtem. 
The participants were from Biodiversity Management Committee members, research scholars/students from Dera Natung Govt. College Itanagar, NERIST, Rajiv Gandhi University and officers from Biological Park Itanagar. 
Advisor to the Environment and Forest department cum MLA Kumsi Sidisow flagged off the event in presence of APCCF,  N.Tam and senior forest officers and  the  Ganga lake committee members.  Sidisow emphasized the need for sharing such  knowledge amongst various stakeholders to create mass awareness on the importance of biodiversity conservation.
He appreciated  the initiatives of the Board and  appealed  to every citizen to contribute towards the common goal of conservation to maintain ecological balance in the state.
Chairman, APBB, Tayek Goi asserted that the Board will organise such walks once in every month in forested areas in and around the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR). He said that such survey will also help the Board to identify potential Biodiversity Heritage Sites to be designated under National Biodiversity Act, 2002. 
Member Secretary, APBB, Koj Rinya informed that the findings will also help in field authentication and augmentation of information available in People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR) prepared out of secondary data. PBR is an important legal document to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits to the locals, arising out of utilisation of their biological resources for research and commercial purposes etc. A total of 131 floral species were recorded during the walk including seven rare category plants: Cythea spinulosa, Podocarpus nerifolia, Garcinia pedunculata, Piper haridasanii, Piper longchites, two endemic fern species Angiopteris evecta and Dipteris wallichii. 

While 30 bird species were also recorded, some of the highlights being Striated heron, White breasted waterhen, Slaty bellied Tesia & Black crested bulbul and 20 species of butterflies including species like Banded tree brown, Northern birdwing, and Glassy blue etc.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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