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A novel development in Biodiversity Conservation is taking place in

Arunachal Pradesh….

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The region was environmentally studied during the 1980s from the geology,

to geomorphology, to pedobiology,

to limnology, to ichthiology,

to entomology, to zoology,

to botany, to anthropology,

to atmospherics, to socio-economics,

to climatics…

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This indicated that Northeast India lies at the trijunction of THREE different biographical plates:

the Laurasian, the Ethiopian and the Oriental,

sheltering some of the world’s most unique biodiversity.

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The needs of the community and the benefits of conservation were widely discussed with the Sherdukpen Clan leaders…

…resulting in the Sherdukpen Clan of the State resolving to set aside a large tract of their community land for the purpose of conservation of flora and fauna.

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Rural/Urban

One example of what can be done with environmental information... Decision

Making

Environmental Concerns

Multi-StakeholderHuman Problems

Accurate Information

Logical Deduction + emotional concerns

Real/MotivatedPersonal/Political

Compromise solution includes dialogue

Factual Inputs

Local, State, National, International Levels

Implementation and Enforcement

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It is with a view to protecting what little forest remains that this presentation is made.

The thrust has been information dissemination, convincing of locals and empowering them so that

there can be some hope of success.

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We are now physically preserving large tracts of primary rain and cloudforests as well as

regenerating denuded areas through locals. Without plantations.

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Insurgency & the Environment Open conflict, declared or undeclared war,

insurgency, militancy, & terrorism debilitate governments .

Governments, politicians and outside interest groups have fled from the problems

Vast environmental resources left to insurgents

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Almost ALL of North Assam’s Government Reserved Forests in N.E. India have been decimated to the almost non-existent stage, on the pretext of settling “Insurgents”.

And all this in that ecological kaleidoscope, the UNDP DECLARED ENVIRONMENTAL UNDP DECLARED ENVIRONMENTAL

HOTSPOT: EASTERN HIMALAYAHOTSPOT: EASTERN HIMALAYA.

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Usual Needs & Benefits

JOBS Capacity Building. Poverty Alleviation Motivate & train communities to self sustain project Keep peace by removing one underlying cause of

conflict—unemployment

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Possible Solutions:

Go in with an ICDP plan. Bottom up approach—ask local people what they want Convince local leaders of benefits. Takes time. Be prepared for reverses. Start small. Get moving. Find funding for initial stages. Make it self sustaining. Religion, Culture, Peace & Environment - a powerfulReligion, Culture, Peace & Environment - a powerful

foursome. Add implementation & enforcementimplementation & enforcement. It works.

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This process is highly replicable replicable in most rural areas with local adaptations.

The project is envisaged to be a model for community forests in the Northeast where a large tract of forest area is outside of State Government control

Huge conservation areas can be developed benefiting local people without bureaucracy, red tape and corruption.

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Further details: Peter Thorose, Secy, MEWS-INDIA email: peterthorose@hotmail.com

Thank YouThank You