Itanagar, Mar 13: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday released the Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Strategy and Action: A People’s Plan, aimed at fulfilling the Pakke Declaration and achieving national biodiversity targets.
The plan provides localised action points that empower communities, districts, and indigenous groups to take charge of environmental conservation with government support.
Expressing appreciation for the contributions of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the State Biodiversity Board, and the state environment, forests, and climate change department, Khandu said that the plan aligns with the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas, ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth through collective efforts.
He emphasised that the plan complements the Pakke Declaration and its five key themes - environment, climate resilience, well-being, sustainable livelihoods, and collaborative action.
“It will also contribute significantly to India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing Arunachal Pradesh’s role as a leader in conservation efforts,” he said.
Khandu noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently highlighted the importance of balancing development with environmental conservation, and his vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat includes a strong focus on sustainability, ecological preservation, and a green future for the coming generations.
He pointed out that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India has taken significant steps in environmental conservation through initiatives such as LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which promotes sustainable living and responsible consumption, the National Mission for Green India, which focuses on expanding forest cover and restoring degraded ecosystems, and the Jal Jeevan Mission, which ensures access to clean and safe drinking water while promoting water conservation.
Additionally, he said the Namami Gange and National River Conservation Plan, which work towards revitalising and preserving India’s rivers, and the International Solar Alliance, a global initiative promoting renewable energy.
The chief minister stated that these initiatives align seamlessly with Arunachal Pradesh’s biodiversity strategy, reinforcing the state’s commitment to conservation while fostering economic growth through sustainable means.
He recalled that he had attended the inception workshop of the action plan in 2022 and had then suggested that WWF and the state’s environment department formulate a strategy and compile it into a book so that the government could use it as a roadmap.
Expressing satisfaction with the outcome, he said it was heartening to see how collective efforts had resulted in a comprehensive and robust strategy that would enable the state to pursue sustainable development while protecting its rich biodiversity.
Khandu highlighted that the state with its diverse geography, rich cultural heritage, and varied ecological zones, has long been a sanctuary of life. He stressed that the traditional wisdom of indigenous communities has played a crucial role in enabling them to live in harmony with nature.
The chief minister expressed confidence that the newly unveiled action plan would further strengthen conservation efforts and serve as an example for the rest of the world.
He assured all stakeholders that implementing the plan would be the state government’s top priority while reaffirming the government’s commitment to preserving state’s natural wealth, empowering local communities, and ensuring that development and conservation go hand in hand.
To ensure effective execution, Khandu announced that a dedicated cell would be established in the chief minister’s office to monitor the implementation of schemes and projects announced in the state Budget, including the state biodiversity plan.
He added that the plan would be implemented across the state at all levels, including at the gram panchayat level, with the active involvement of grassroots communities.
Stressing the importance of collective responsibility, Khandu asserted that biodiversity conservation is not just the government’s duty but a shared responsibility of all citizens. He added that unless people take ownership of their role in protecting the environment, no government action plan would be successful.
He urged the students from various universities who were present at the event, to share the link to the action plan on social media so that it could reach a larger audience, particularly among the youth.
The chief minister also encouraged everyone to go through the action plan and understand their roles, responsibilities, and duties toward the environment.
