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The learning and experience from this study have
been applied to strengthen the MSSRF programme
called Every Child- A Scientist. This programme is
aimed at education of children and youth of tribal
and non-tribal communities on the importance/
value of biodiversity and natural resources as well
as the associated traditional and indigenous
knowledge system. The subject of bio cultural
diversity has taken up more consciously now and
the curriculum of this programme expect, this will
lead effective involvement of students and children
along with their elders and teachers to concentrate
on protecting environment. This program can also
evolve as a dissemination circle to provide efficient
service on Biodiversity & Environment Knowledge
to students, teachers and the general public.
Establishing a Vana Vigyan Kendra -Forest
Resource Centre (Community Empowermet
Action)
An impact of the capacity development as a result
of the fellowship programme is a plan for
establishing Vana Vigyan Kendras (Forest Resource
Centre) by MSSRF. One of the components of
VVK is FRC, which facilitate the dissemination of
information on the Rights and Acts of
consequence to forest dependent rural and tribal
communities. It will handle those Indian
legislations concerning Biodiversity and Forest-
Rights. The programme will focus to enhance
human resource capacity to inculcate and breed a
culture, which enables to lead a life in harmony
with nature and to trigger collective actions for ecorestoration.
Realizing the need to educate the
people about the biodiversity legislations, FRC
visualizes training and capacity building on a longterm
basis. The prime objectives of this Desk are
(i) to educate, train and build the knowledge and
capacity on Indian legislations, Biodiversity Act
2002 and Forest Rights Acts (ii) to build the
capacity of the district tribal leaders to integrate the
principles and right provisions in these legislations
into their leadership actions amongst their
community as well as the society; (iii) to assist in
ensuring the rights of the Scheduled Tribes and
other forest dwellers residing within the forest, (iv)
to empower the local community to access reward
and recognition for their contribution in
conservation of biodiversity. The legislations
mentioned here give considerable authority in the
hands of Panchayath Raj Institutions (PRIs) in
helping the implementation of the Rights
provisions.
To conclude that, the fellowship helped me to a
great deal in building my capacity as a
conservationist who is engaged in promoting
sustainable development paradigm in the rural areas
of South India. I am sure in coming years the
efforts taken up during the fellowship period will
yield promising results that in turn will benefit the
goals and objectives of the organisation where I
work.
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