Learning for Conserva tion and Revi talisation of Natural and Cultural Resources 40 promoted as souvenirs and village troops were trained in cultural performances and practices. The Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary and the Khonoma Green Village initiatives serve as successful role models not only for other Naga villages but for the entire community. Kharshati Community Conservation In the Ri Bhoi, district of the Khasi Hills, Meghalaya there is a board that reads ‘Kharshati Wildlife Sanctuary’. This is neither a sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act nor managed by the Government Forest Department. It is a community initiative, an informal sanctuary declared and managed by the local people. This 1,000 acre land belongs to a clan of chieftains of the Kharsit Community. Forest cover in the Khasi Hills is poor and so is the status of wildlife and biodiversity. Environmental degradation is also rapid. In response, the enlightened and environmentally conscious clan in the region gave away their land for free, for the purpose of environment and wildlife protection. The Meghalaya Environment and Wildlife Society (MEWS) showed a keen interest in the initiative and took up the task of managing the wildlife sanctuary. As such, the sanctuary is provided social fencing. MEWS promotes the rehabilitation of wild animals in this area. Injured, stray animals caught elsewhere are released in the area and are taken care of. Because of this protection, regeneration has begun at a good pace. Presently dominated by pine trees, the habitat type is that of a moist evergreen forest, with species like Eugenia, Quercus, Castanopsis, and Mitchellia emerging as the climax species when full regeneration is attained. Birds, reptiles, rodents and other smaller animals have been reported since regeneration. Hunting is totally discouraged in the area by the local people. All efforts are being made voluntarily to protect the area and to allow for regeneration. RCE Srinagar Activities RCE Srinagar and RCE Guwahati with CEE Himalaya and CEE North-East are working to strengthen and sustain these initiatives. Conservation education programmes have been launched in these areas and are aimed at important stakeholders like schools, local communities, village governance, NGOs, youth, churches and other influential organisations. Teachers are also being trained. Students are guided to take up small-scale conservation projects. Local NGOs are trained and given biodiversity conservation projects. Environmental days are celebrated and various competitions are organised from time to time. Besides raising awareness, a range of information education and communication (IEC) material is being produced; already available and relevant IEC material is being adapted and translated into local languages. Local governance systems are being influenced to impose regulations that help conserve biodiversity. Local youth are frequently taken to Kaziranga National Park, Guwahati Zoo, and other suitable places where they can be trained in wildlife management. They see the management practices adopted by the park and the zoo and get hands-on training. RCE Srinagar is popularising these initiatives to encourage their replication elsewhere and to encourage donors and government agencies to link their programmes with these initiatives. Conclusion 3
Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity
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