Mountain Forum-APMN Biodiversity Open House programme
The Mountain Forum Secretariat (MFS) and Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN) co-organised a Biodiversity Open House for Mountain Forum members on 18 January 2007 at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) premises in Khumaltar, Lalitpur. The programme served as an offline interaction on topical mountain-related themes in line with the International Mountain Day celebrated on 11 December 2006. Mountain Forum members, delegates from different organisations, ICIMOD/MFS staff, and other individuals interested in learning about and joining the network participated in the programme. More than 50 people participated in the half day event.
The Open House programme was opened Dr. Ana Maria Ponce, Executive Secretary, MFS followed by welcome remarks from Dr. Madhav Karki, Deputy Director General-Programmes, ICIMOD, and Dr. A. Beatrice Murray, Acting APMN Coordinator.
The programme featured presentations from two guest speakers. The first presentation was given on “Biodiversity conservation beyond boundaries: A landscape approach through partnership” by Dr. Nakul Chettri, Community Biodiversity Specialist, ICIMOD. The paper was co-authored by Ms. Bandana Shakya, Research Associate, Transboundary Biodiversity Management, ICIMOD. The paper highlighted the role of transboundary cooperation through partnership to help countries meet their conservation goals. Dr. Eklabya Sharma, Programme Manager, Natural Resource Management, ICIMOD, served as commentator for the session, while Dr. Ana Maria Ponce moderated the accompanying plenary discussion session.
The second presentation, titled “Community-based biodiversity conservation in the Annapurna Conservation Area”, was given by Dr. Siddartha Bajracharya, Member Secretary, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). It focussed on the importance of community-based approaches in biodiversity conservation. Dr. Sharma commented on the paper and thereafter, Dr. Madhav Karki moderated the plenary discussion.
all photos by Narendra Bajracharya,
ICIMOD
Both sessions were well received by the participants.
The participants were also introduced to various Mountain Forum services including publications, online library, website, and e-conferences; and “Certificates of Membership” were distributed to participating Mountain Forum members at the programme.
Both sessions of discussion were active and well participated by the members.
The programme was successful in organising an interaction among experts, delegates, and interested members on some mountain-related topics of growing concern. The programme was facilitated by Mr. Udayan Mishra, Acting Node Manager, APMN, along with other staff from APMN and MFS.