Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma Inaugurates Workshop on Forest Survey and Mapping
On Friday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated a workshop for forest officials on ‘Forest Survey & Mapping for Meghalaya Using Hybrid System to Analyse Carbon Financing and Phyto-Diversity Heat Map & Provisions of the BD Act (Amendment)’.
During the session, Sangma emphasized the importance of technology in data collection. He stated, “Using data from various departments and observing trends will enable the government to formulate effective policies and interventions, resulting in a more significant impact.”
He highlighted that Meghalaya, known for its rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge, needs the Biological Diversity Act and its 2023 amendment to protect its resources and ensure local communities benefit from sustainable use.
Sangma expressed satisfaction with the recent survey of Meghalaya’s reserve forests, conducted using advanced aerial LiDAR and hyperspectral imaging technologies. He noted, “These cutting-edge methods have enabled an in-depth analysis of the biodiversity, health, and environmental challenges of Meghalaya’s reserve forests.”
Additionally, he informed that Meghalaya’s new framework involves creating an inventory of its natural assets and assessing the economic value of its ecosystem services. This approach will help develop innovative financial tools and secure funding for conservation efforts.
“We aim to establish a new revenue model focused on nature conservation and climate action, encompassing carbon farming, regenerative agriculture, and monetizing the ecosystem services of our forests,” he stated.
The Chief Minister also released the final report on ‘Forest Survey & Mapping for Meghalaya Using a Hybrid System to Analyse Carbon Financing and Phyto-Diversity Heat Map.’
Doubts Revealed
Meghalaya -: Meghalaya is a state in the northeastern part of India. It is known for its beautiful hills, forests, and heavy rainfall.
Chief Minister -: A Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state. They are responsible for making important decisions and policies for the state.
Conrad K. Sangma -: Conrad K. Sangma is the current Chief Minister of Meghalaya. He is a politician who leads the state government.
Workshop -: A workshop is a meeting where people come together to learn about a specific topic and discuss ideas. In this case, it was about forest survey and mapping.
Forest Survey and Mapping -: Forest survey and mapping involve collecting data about forests, like the types of trees and their locations. This helps in managing and protecting forests.
Biological Diversity Act -: The Biological Diversity Act is a law in India that aims to protect the variety of life forms, like plants and animals, and traditional knowledge related to them.
2023 amendment -: An amendment is a change or addition to a law. The 2023 amendment to the Biological Diversity Act made some updates to better protect biodiversity.
Biodiversity -: Biodiversity means the variety of different living things, like plants, animals, and microorganisms, in a particular area.
Traditional Knowledge -: Traditional knowledge refers to the wisdom and practices passed down through generations, often related to nature and the environment.
LiDAR -: LiDAR is a technology that uses laser light to create detailed maps of the Earth’s surface. It helps in studying forests and other landscapes.
Hyperspectral Imaging -: Hyperspectral imaging is a technology that captures many different wavelengths of light to create detailed images. It helps in identifying different types of plants and materials.
Financial Tools for Conservation -: Financial tools for conservation are methods to raise and manage money to protect the environment. This can include things like funds, grants, and investments.