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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Foresters from Sikkim and Nepal meet, agree to share info and work on trans-boundary Peace Park

GANGTOK, 20 June: WWF, in collaboration with the Forest Department, organized a regional-level Trans-boundary Meeting between India (Sikkim) and Nepal on “Enhancing Cooperation for Biodiversity Conservation across the Khangchendzonga Landscape” today. This is the second such meeting, with the first one being held at Kathmandu and Ilam in August last year, an official communiqué informs.
A delegation of 12 officers from Nepal, including Braj Kishor Yadav, the Regional Director from the Nepal Ministry of Forests, and Yam Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Director General from Department of Forests [Nepal], field level DFOs, Chairman of the Khangchendzonga Conservation Area and representatives from WWF (Nepal) attended the meeting.

Organised at the Forest Conference Hall here, the meeting saw participation of the senior officials from the Forest Department, WWF (Sikkim), KCC members, Himal Rakshaks and EDC members from Barsay, Nambu and Yuksam.
Welcoming the participants to the workshop, Priyadarshinee Shrestha of WWF-India mentioned that the coming together was a significant achievement and one that required much effort and coordination to bring together the two sides of the Khangchendzonga Landscape on one platform, and thanked all participants for making it possible.
Giving the background of the meeting, CCF [Wildlife], AK Mohanty stated that the regional trans-boundary meeting was held against the backdrop of a bilateral agreement signed between India and Nepal in 2010 which made it possible for regional-level meetings to take place regularly, thereby facilitating sharing of information and best practices between the two countries.
Dr. Sandeep Tambe, Special Secretary RMDD, shared his experience of working in the high altitude trans-boundary areas of Sikkim and raised concern over the probable illegal activities across Sikkim-Nepal border.
Nombi T Bhutia, DFO (T), East, shared his experience as a team member which visited Nepal last year.
EDC members and Himal Rakshaks also shared their experiences regarding field level trans-boundary issues and gave suggestions for an effective monitoring and protection strategy.
The meeting, besides identifying Nodal Officers from both sides, also agreed that both sides will start sharing information on forest fires, movement of graziers and other civilians, and work towards establishment of a trans-boundary peace park etc.
NT Bhutia, PCCF cum Chief Wildlife Warden, FEWMD addressed the participants extending his gratitude to the Nepal delegation for making the trip to Sikkim and also to WWF for organizing the meeting.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Roshan Sherchan of WWF (Nepal) and it was also decided that the next regional level meeting be held in Nepal in January-February, 2012.

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