A Biodiversity Education Experience Centre (BEEC), probably the first in Nagaland, was inaugurated on May 9 at the two-day “Sendenyu Youth Biodiversity Fest 2024” held under the theme: “My Forest, My Biodiversity, My Time” at Sendenyu Ecotourism Destination Centre, New Sendenyu, Tseminyu district.
A press release by Kenono Foundation and Sendenyu Conservation informed that Sendenyu has been one of the pioneers in community biodiversity conservation for over 24 years in Nagaland. It said Sendenyu made a pioneering example by creating the first “Biodiversity Education Experience Centre” in the state, which is home to numerous community conservation initiatives.
The two-day fest was organised by the Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Board (SCB&WCB) and Kenono Foundation.
The centre was dedicated by Jilo Bukh, an elder and custodian of traditional knowledge in Sendenyu, with a prayer, while it was inaugurated by SCB&WCB chairperson and member of Indigenous People and Local Communities – Advisory Committee (IP&LC-AC) WCS, Gwasinlo Thong.
Another key highlight of the fest was the launching of the centre’s first capacity-building and awareness programme under the topic, “Re-imagining your mojo for biodiversity”, supported by the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) under a project funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
The capacity-building session on community conservation efforts and leadership development was carried out for youths with the director Gethemgo, Dr. Viposa Kiso, as the resource person.
The awareness sessions on “creation of biodiversity and local knowledge” organised for children and youths was facilitated by Nayantara Siruguri from Canopy Collective and the Kenono Foundation team under the themes, “leave play, tree and plant game, nature moves and befriending a tree.”
Altogether, 116 youths and children participated in the two-day fest.