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DIMAPUR — In a first of its kind in Nagaland, the Biodiversity Education Experience Centre (BEEC) was inaugurated in Sendenyu village under Tseminyu district on May 9.
The centre was inaugurated during a two-day ‘Sendenyu Youth Biodiversity Fest 2024’ held at Sendenyu Ecotourism Destination Centre, New Sendenyu, on May 9 and 10 on the theme “My forest, my biodiversity, my time.”
The fest was jointly organised by Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Board (SCB&WCB) and Kenono Foundation. Sendenyu has been one of the pioneers in community biodiversity conservation for over 24 years in Nagaland, stated an update from SCB&WCB.
It stated that the fest began with the inauguration of Biodiversity Education Experience Centre, which is dedicated to creating a space where intergenerational learning of the past, the present and the future of biodiversity could be fostered.
Jilo Bukh, an elder and custodian of traditional knowledge of Sendenyu, said the dedication prayer, while Gwasinlo Thong, chairperson of SCB&WCB and member of Indigenous People and Local Communities-Advisory Committee (IP&LC-AC), inaugurated the centre.
Another highlight of the fest was the launch of the centre’s first capacity-building and awareness programme which was supported by the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) under a project funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
It stated that the capacity-building session on community conservation efforts and leadership development was conducted by Dr. Viposa Kiso, director of Gethemgo, as the resource person on the topic “Re-imagining your mojo for biodiversity.”
The awareness on biodiversity and local knowledge, which was designed for children and youth, was facilitated by Nayantara Siruguri from Canopy Collective and Kenono Foundation team. The fest featured adventure and competitive games such as angling, catapult shooting and swimming.
Report stated that members from NSBB led by Neizokhotou Belho and Aja Zinyu, technical advisor of GIZ Nagaland, spoke on the occasion.
Altogether, 116 youth and children participated in the two-day fest.