Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 473/22

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION CUM WORKSHOP ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

The Department of Zoology and Department of Fishery Science, St Anthony’s College, Shillong and the Bio Resources Development Centre today organised an International Conference on Biodiversity and Conservation cum Workshop on Traditional Medicine at the Executive Conference Hall, Wollaston Annexe, St Anthony’s College Shillong. Shri James P K Sangma, Minister of Forest and Environment and Health and Family Welfare attended the inaugural programme as Chief Guest.

Addressing the inaugural programme, Shri James P K Sangma stated that the programme is about sharing ideas and knowledge and at the same time to encourage the traditional healers to continue and preserve the traditional practices and knowledge.

Stating that people have been practicing traditional medicines for centuries and over a period of time this practice has been dwindling, I am happy to witness that such programmes are being held to not only popularise the ancient practice but also to revive the age-old tradition that our forefathers practiced, he said. He hoped that in the days to come the practice of traditional medicine and modern medicine and treatment can exist simultaneously. As part of the 50th year of Meghalaya statehood, the government will be inaugurating an Ayush and Traditional Wellness Centre at BRDC experimental farm at Laitmynsaw village in Upper Shillong which is funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, he informed.

Shri Sangma said that Meghalaya having one of the richest biodiversity in the country, it is important to recognise our strength and look for means to leverage it and take conservation efforts to a whole new level. Informing that the government have been laying importance and also stressing on the importance of biodiversity, he said that the government has initiated an ambitious project on a pilot basis, a biodiversity heat map of the state, using radar survey, hyper spectrum imaging in order to look at how biodiversity can become the backbone of conservation efforts and the project is being funded by Meghalaya Minor Minerals Reclamation Fund.

While stressing on the importance of youth in conservation efforts, he informed that Meghalaya is one of the few states to have started the Payment for Ecosystem Services. The aim is to not only involve just the youth as stakeholders but the community as a whole. Highlighting the success of the PES in the state, Sangma said that the initiative can be replicated by the other NE states who share a rich biodiversity like Meghalaya.