RAIPUR,CG: A 21-day training program for “Parataxonomy and Biodiversity Conservation” began in the campus of Chhattisgarh State Forest Research and Training Institute, Raipur.

The training program has been organized under the joint aegis of Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board, State Forest Research and Training Institute in collaboration with Botanical Survey of India (SOP), Kolkata.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief of Forest Force V. Shrinivas Rao and Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board, Rakesh Chaturvedi, said training has been started for 66 youth in the first phase of training, out of which 48 trainees have appeared. Parataxonomy technical training is important to know the identification of a plant, its properties and uses.

The training is being given to the trainees by the expert trainers of Botanical Survey of India. Graduate students in biology coming under the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) formed in all the forest divisions are being selected and given training. These trained students go to their B.M.C. and every village and train 12th pass students and individuals.

The main point of training is to identify the species of animals and plants found in their area, to know their medicinal uses, to know the quantity of their production and which people and institutions are purchasing the produce from their areas. Such persons and institutions are required to comply with ABS as per Biodiversity Act. The members of the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) formed in the entire area of each local body will be able to get information about what biological resources are available in their area and what is their use. How can conservation, promotion and proper management be done?