SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, June 4: Marking the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5), the Jharkhand Biodiversity Board (JBB) is set to launch a comprehensive internship programme aimed at college and university students across the state.
Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Member Secretary of the Board, said the initiative is part of a special campaign designed to raise awareness and interest in biodiversity among students from various academic institutions in Jharkhand.
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Internships Focused on Species Identification and Conservation
Under this programme, 60 undergraduate and postgraduate students will be offered internships ranging from one to three months. The initiative is focused on identifying species in remote rural areas and supporting the conservation of endangered flora and fauna.
“This is the first time such a large-scale biodiversity-focused internship is being launched in Jharkhand. The state is rich in biodiversity, and at a time when many species are nearing extinction, their conservation has become our utmost responsibility,” Kumar said, adding that “Our youth are our strength, and it is our duty to train and engage them meaningfully.”
Field Visits, Stipend and Community Engagement
Interns will conduct field visits to rural areas and panchayats, working alongside local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), village heads, and forest guards. These visits will provide students with exposure to local biodiversity and its relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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The Board has also made provisions to offer a fixed stipend to participating students for the duration of the internship. According to Kumar, this programme will not only contribute to students’ professional development but also foster stronger ties with their communities and local environmental issues.
Each intern will be tasked with studying three BMCs and their respective People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs). Based on their interactions and fieldwork, students will prepare a concept note and develop a biodiversity development plan for those areas.
