ITANAGAR, May 22: The Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board (APBB) on Friday celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2026 at the Dr Verrier Elwin Conference Hall of the State Forest Research Institute, Chimpu, under the global theme “Acting Locally for Global Impact”.
Delivering the keynote address, APBB Member Secretary H B Abo highlighted the significance of observing the International Day for Biological Diversity and emphasized the importance of local actions in achieving global conservation goals. He spoke on the rich biological heritage of Arunachal Pradesh, indigenous conservation practices, and the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 through initiatives such as the preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers and sustainable use of biological resources.
Addressing the gathering, Addl PCCF (WP&IT) Devendra Dalai described Arunachal Pradesh as part of one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots. He encouraged citizens to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives, stressing that collective local efforts can create meaningful global impact.
Speaking on the occasion, APBB Chairman Hawa Bagang reiterated the Board’s commitment to strengthening biodiversity conservation efforts across the State. He highlighted initiatives to strengthen biodiversity management committees, explore funding support for conservation programmes and encourage greater participation of students and local communities in biodiversity-related activities and research.
The technical session featured presentations by Dr Paromita Ghosh, Centre Head of the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Itanagar, and Prof Hui Tag of Rajiv Gandhi University.
Dr Ghosh spoke on the global biodiversity crisis, climate change, sustainable use of biological resources and India’s biodiversity conservation initiatives, while highlighting the importance of youth and community participation.
Prof Hui Tag discussed global biodiversity governance, the upcoming COP-17 to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the rich biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh. He also stressed the importance of biodiversity documentation, community-based conservation and provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Earlier, the programme commenced with a welcome address by Jaya Kumari, Intern at the National Biodiversity Authority.
The programme also included prize distribution to the winners of painting, model making, craft making and short film-making competitions organised to promote biodiversity awareness among students, youth and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs). Plantation drives were also conducted in several schools as part of the awareness campaign.
More than 70 participants, including scientists, senior forest officials, members of biodiversity management committees, teachers and students from various schools attended the programme.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Bamin Yakang, Research Officer, APBB, who emphasized that every small action for nature counts and that acting locally can create a lasting global impact.