NAGPUR: Protected areas (PAs) like sanctuaries, national parks and reserves are not only homes for wildlife but they also contribute to reducing the risk of natural disasters by helping adapt to climate change.
Around 40 experts, including 20 field directors, will gather at Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Madhya Pradesh, on November 2 and 3, to evolve a strategy to enhance the role of PAs in climate change, mobilise resources set aside for conserving biodiversity and ecosystems through a worldwide network of national parks, and increase disaster resilience of local communities dependent on the ecosystem services of the parks.
The international workshop has been organised by Satpuda Foundation, a leading NGO in Central India, in collaboration with Global Tiger Forum (GTF), inter-governmental body International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
The main target group of this global workshop are park managers, representing national parks in Asia, where indigenous and poor communities depend on natural resources for their livelihood, and national disaster planning agencies.
The objective of the workshop is to document good practices in biodiversity conservation, to reduce disaster risk and promote adaptation to extreme weather events. Also, the participants aim to find ways to align national and regional policies to address gaps in global policy as per the Global Platform 2011.
"We will also list future challenges from a changing climate, which could be addressed through an ecosystem-based approach and regional issues that need policy changes to achieve the objective," said Kishor Rithe, president of the foundation.
Developing countries show apathy towards PA network, almost always saying that poverty alleviation is a priority for them rather than managing and conserving Pas, which are homes of endangered species. "However, it is wrong. PAs actually help in poverty alleviation of locals and also provide great ecological services," says Rithe.
Satpuda Foundation, IUCN, UN`s ISDR and GTF have come forward to strengthen PAs in Asia for the benefits of locals in the international biodiversity year.
Field Directors from 20 tiger reserves in India will participate in the workshop along with PA managers from Asia and officers from disaster reduction cells from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Read more: Pench workshop to discuss role of PAs in climate change - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Pench-workshop-to-discuss-role-of-PAs-in-climate-change/articleshow/6812689.cms#ixzz13SGD6YKc
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