February 2019
Professional Development Programme for Environment Regulators begins at Wildlife Institute of India
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a management tool used by decision-makers, regulators and stakeholders to understand the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of proposed development projects. Experience from EIA review suggest that there are some inherent gaps when it comes to incorporating biodiversity concerns in impact assessments. In this context, the Professional Development Programme (PDP) has been designed for MoEFCC officials involved in reviewing EIA reports and engaged in environmental decision-making. The programme is intended to significantly contribute to the professional development of these officials so that biodiversity concerns are mainstreamed in the decision making for enhancing the effectiveness of EIA as a tool against a background of rapidly declining natural heritage. Shri N. Ravi Shanker, Former Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand while inaugurating the programme highlighted on the need to harmonize conservation concerns with developmental imperatives. Dr V.B. Mathur, Director, WII, emphasised that capacity constraints in EIA remain one of the biggest challenges for straightforward and clear recommendations as an outcome of EIA appraisals. He said that the outcome of the programme would help guide responsible development in consonance with conservation of natural resources. 28 officials from MoEFCC, State Forest Departments and Pollution Control Boards are participating in this programme. |
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A Two-week Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) sponsored ‘Professional Development Programme (PDP) for Enhancing EIA effectiveness’ is being conducted at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun from 25th February to 8th March, 2019.Last Updated: February 26, 2019
One-week compulsory training course for Indian Forest Service Officers on “Management of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity in India: Challenges and Prospects” On 4-8 February, 2019 at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
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One week refresher training course for Indian Forest Officers on “Management of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity in India: Challenges and Prospects” was inaugurated at Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 4th February, 2019 by Mr. Tarun Coomar, Principal Secretary (E&F) and PCCF, and Mr D.M. Shukla, PCCF(WL) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This one week course is being organized from 4- 8th February 2019 by Wildlife Institute of India in association with Department of Environment & Forest, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The course was attended by 29 IFS officers from 15 state cadres. An officer from the Indian Coast Guard is also participating in this programme. Inagural function was attended by various departments including the Zoological Survey of India. The training was initiated with a comprehensive introduction to the coastal and marine biodiversity conservation in India by Dr. K. Sivakumar, Course Director. He has also elaborated upon the CAMPA funded- Species Recovery Programme. Dr. Alok Saxena presented a synopsis of the rich biodiversity of Andaman & Nicobar Islands with crucial insights about the impacts of tsunami in 2004. He also shared multiple images taken at the field to describe the threats to the marine biodiversity of the region and post-tsunami recovery of coral reefs and mangroves in the islands. The last session of the day was taken by Dr. Sivakumar on the 3rd National Wildlife Action Plan. The participants interacted with the resource persons on various aspects on marine biodiversity management in India between the sessions on the first day. It is planned to visit the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (MGMNP), Wandoor, Jhansi Rani Marine National Park and Baratang mangrove forests on coming days. In India, there are multiple governance frameworks and structures that administer the coastal and marine environment. While these are intended to have positive outcomes, overlapping jurisdictions, contradictory mandates and limited coordination hinders multiple agencies from working effectively in coastal India. Management agencies in India are still having limited understanding about management of multiple use coastal and marine areas. Given this scenario, the challenge lies in reconciling livelihood needs and development vis-a-vis conservation. Therefore, this course was conducted to address the following issues:
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Last Updated: February 7, 2019
70th Republic Day Celebrated at Wildlife Institute of India
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The 70th Republic Day was celebrated at the Wildlife Institute of India on 26th January, 2019. Dr. V.B. Mathur, Director hoisted the National flag. Addressing the Institute faculty, staff & researchers he said that the Institute had performed various tasks assigned by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India very successfully. Recently, MoEFCC had assigned the responsibility of both planning and implementing ‘Professional Development Scheme for Environment Regulators’. He said that International agencies viz. National Geographic and Asian Development Bank are now collaborating with WII for many projects in India in the field of wildlife and environment conservation.
He also distributed Certificate of Appreciation to the WII staff viz. Shri Mahesh Tyagi, S.T.O, Engineering Cell and Ms. Poonam Pal, Researcher, Ganga Programme for providing excellent services to the Institute. |
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Last Updated: February 5, 2019
