SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, April 3: The Jharkhand Biodiversity Board (JBB) is planning to establish the state’s first Butterfly Park at Kanheri Hill in Hazaribag. This initiative was discussed in a meeting held at the Kanheri Hill Forest Rest House Auditorium, where key officials and stakeholders deliberated on biodiversity conservation efforts.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Member Secretary of JBB, Sanjeev Kumar, stated that the primary agenda of the meeting was to declare Kanheri Hill as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. However, additional proposals, including the Butterfly Park, were also considered to enhance conservation and ecological balance in the region.
Officials and Community Participation in the Meeting
The meeting was attended by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Maun Prakash, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Abhay Sinha, local villagers, district-level Biodiversity Management Committees, Mukhiya, Up-Mukhiya, and Joint Forest Management Committee members. Their participation aimed to ensure community involvement in biodiversity conservation efforts.
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JBB has already identified more than 100 locations across Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, and other districts as potential Heritage Sites. Sanjeev Kumar emphasized that various aspects of conservation and management were discussed to protect Kanheri Hill’s biodiversity and its surroundings.
Conservation and Development Initiatives
Key discussions revolved around raising awareness through training programs following the declaration of Kanheri Hill as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. Proposals included the plantation of local species, the formation of Conservation and Management Committees, and the creation of employment opportunities linked to biodiversity conservation.
Additionally, measures to prevent forest fires were explored. One such proposal involved using old clothes to create seed stands for Mahua collection, ensuring forest safety.
The People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR), maintained in every Panchayat, will also be updated to document ecological resources.
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Butterfly Garden to Boost Ecological Conservation
Sanjeev Kumar highlighted the potential of developing a Butterfly Park in Kanheri Hill. The park would facilitate pollen collection from various flowers, contributing to environmental development and ecological balance.
The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity conservation while creating new opportunities for sustainable livelihood in the region.
