Trans-boundary cooperation workshop moves towards improving local governance for biodiversity conservation along Singalila range

GANGTOK, 02 Jan: The Mountain Institute India (TMI-India), in collaboration with Namsaling Community Development Centre (NCDC), Ilam, Nepal organized a “Workshop on Improving Governance in Biodiversity Conservation through trans-border cooperation” at GDNS Hall, Darjeeling on 23 December 2011, informs a TMI release.

Both TMI-India and NCDC Ilam, Nepal had carried out two case studies on “Governance mechanisms to control illegal trade of wildlife & NTFPs in the Singalila range of the Khanchendzonga Landscape of Eastern Himalayas” along the Nepal-India border.
TMI-India carried out this study in the Singalila range covering the Sikkim and Darjeeling region of India NCDC, Nepal covered the districts of Ilam, Taplejung and Panchthar. These studies had identified several governance issues at multi-stakeholder level.
In the trans-boundary cooperation workshop held on 23 December 2011, a total of 40 people from Nepal and India attended and participated in the discussion, the release mentions. The Conservator of Forest, Darjeeling, Sandeep Sundriyal chaired the cooperation workshop.
The primary objectives of the workshop were to share research findings carried out by TMI India and NCDC Ilam, share successful initiatives of Himal Rakshaks of Sikkim and Community Based Anti Poaching Unit Taplejung on controlling illegal collection and subsequent trade of endangered wild flora and fauna, and, finally review and develop trans-border cooperation to find strategies for overcoming the conservation challenges
The chief guest of the cooperation workshop, CF, Darjeeling Sandeep Sundriyal in his address said that several conservation issues exist at different levels, and one time solution is not possible, the release informs.
He added that existing infrastructures on conservation should be strengthened, a higher-level coordination meeting is necessary to resolve the issues (from Government of Nepal, and Government of India) to enhance cross border governance issues and also coordination between the NGOs/CBOs/government agencies of both the countries.
The project was funded by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal.