Kohima | February 25 : In yet another development in the state, the process of framing Nagaland Biological Diversity Rules 2011 has been completed by the Expert Committee and the same was submitted to the state government today. With this, Nagaland became the second state in the north east region after Sikkim to have framed State Biological Diversity Rules.
Maintaining the biodiversity of Nagaland as perhaps one of the richest in the world and requires utmost protection and conservation from unsustainable use and exploitation, also the rich heritage, customs and practices of the Naga people have always put conservation of their resources and lands as a priority and therefore any legal instrument must respect and strengthen that regime, the Rules in its preface said “ the proposed Biological Diversity Rules is an attempt in that direction, where the rich tradition of the Naga people, the uniqueness of the constitutional status of Nagaland has been put forth as a priority in setting the principles and goals of biodiversity conservation.
Addressing a press conference here at NEPED office this evening after submitting the Rules to the government, the expert committee members made it clear to the public that the Rules is not a ploy to take the resources nor to overpower the right of ownership but to enable the people to protect their resources and rights in line with Article 371 A.
The Expert Committee headed by Elusing Meru as convenor, Vengota Nakhro- member secretary and Sanjay Upadhyay, R.K. Verma and Amba Jamir as members, has completed the Nagaland Biological Diversity Rules 2011 within 18th months time after consultation and eliciting the aspiration of the people of Nagaland.
The Expert Committee was appreciative of the state government for providing them with the opportunity of assisting the state in framing perhaps the most unique set of biological diversity rules in the country.
“We also thank the people of Nagaland for their active engagement with the process of formulation of the Rules” the preface said and wishes that the proposed Rules “ will be enacted soon in order that the rich biological resources of Nagaland is conserved and is available for posterity.”
Among the various management committees set aside in the Rules, it stated that every recognized village council shall constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee within its area of jurisdiction. The committee shall formulate its own code for biodiversity conservation in accordance with the Act to ensure conservation, sustainable utilization and equitable sharing of benefits from the biodiversity.
The Committee will ensure that any unsustainable practices of exploiting biological resources including hunting are prohibited through appropriate orders and sign boards installed by the authority of the village council, ensure that water sources and natural springs are protected from excess utilization, demarcate areas for conservation and rehabilitation of degraded forests and protection of its biological resources in the area within its jurisdiction, develop an inventory of plants, medicinal plants and animals which are on the verge of extinction with the help of the Board to intimate to the central government for notifying threatened species under section 38 of the Act. The Rules come at a time when budget session is slated to start next month and it is likely to figure or tabled for approval in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) session.
Maintaining the biodiversity of Nagaland as perhaps one of the richest in the world and requires utmost protection and conservation from unsustainable use and exploitation, also the rich heritage, customs and practices of the Naga people have always put conservation of their resources and lands as a priority and therefore any legal instrument must respect and strengthen that regime, the Rules in its preface said “ the proposed Biological Diversity Rules is an attempt in that direction, where the rich tradition of the Naga people, the uniqueness of the constitutional status of Nagaland has been put forth as a priority in setting the principles and goals of biodiversity conservation.
Addressing a press conference here at NEPED office this evening after submitting the Rules to the government, the expert committee members made it clear to the public that the Rules is not a ploy to take the resources nor to overpower the right of ownership but to enable the people to protect their resources and rights in line with Article 371 A.
The Expert Committee headed by Elusing Meru as convenor, Vengota Nakhro- member secretary and Sanjay Upadhyay, R.K. Verma and Amba Jamir as members, has completed the Nagaland Biological Diversity Rules 2011 within 18th months time after consultation and eliciting the aspiration of the people of Nagaland.
The Expert Committee was appreciative of the state government for providing them with the opportunity of assisting the state in framing perhaps the most unique set of biological diversity rules in the country.
“We also thank the people of Nagaland for their active engagement with the process of formulation of the Rules” the preface said and wishes that the proposed Rules “ will be enacted soon in order that the rich biological resources of Nagaland is conserved and is available for posterity.”
Among the various management committees set aside in the Rules, it stated that every recognized village council shall constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee within its area of jurisdiction. The committee shall formulate its own code for biodiversity conservation in accordance with the Act to ensure conservation, sustainable utilization and equitable sharing of benefits from the biodiversity.
The Committee will ensure that any unsustainable practices of exploiting biological resources including hunting are prohibited through appropriate orders and sign boards installed by the authority of the village council, ensure that water sources and natural springs are protected from excess utilization, demarcate areas for conservation and rehabilitation of degraded forests and protection of its biological resources in the area within its jurisdiction, develop an inventory of plants, medicinal plants and animals which are on the verge of extinction with the help of the Board to intimate to the central government for notifying threatened species under section 38 of the Act. The Rules come at a time when budget session is slated to start next month and it is likely to figure or tabled for approval in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) session.
