KSCJ, GIZ-India ink MoU on PSMAR

In a significant step, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma (KSCJ) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), India entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Protection and Sustainable Management of Aquatic Resources (PSMAR) in Nagaland.
KSCJ principal Dr Temjenwabang and Co-lead of Climate Change & Circular Economy Group, GIZ India, Dr Thomas Lennartz signed the MoU in presence of additional principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) Ved Pal Singh, head of department of Zoology of KSCJ and scientists from different groups and organisations at KSCJ here on Thursday.
The MoU was signed during the two-day international workshop on Current and Traditional Practices for Sustainable Management of Aquatic Ecosystems.
As per the goal of the MoU, KSCJ will collaborate for research and different extension activities aiming at the protection, sustainable and climate resilient uses of fish and other aquatic resources of the Northeast that are suited for local communities of Nagaland and aligned with the goals and programmes of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Control (MoEFCC).
The two institutions expressed their intent to jointly support, develop and demonstrate scalable models, mechanisms, technologies, practices and knowledge management systems that can lead to a noteworthy improvement in protection of indigenous and commercial aquatic species.
It will also lead to an improved knowledge base on aquatic resources of the region, its validation from the competent authority, assessing the threats to different aquatic species, publishing and sharing the acquired knowledge jointly through appropriate forums, etc, and improve the adaptability of aquatic biodiversity to climate change and other competing factors.
Speaking on the occasion, Lennartz expressed happiness for confirming the partnership through the MoU with KSCJ that formalised the already ongoing cooperation.
He said GIZ was already implementing 18 projects across India on sustainable economic, ecological and social development.
He also informed the gathering that NIRAQ was an ongoing project in four North-eastern States – Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland. He disclosed that GIZ was working with various science institutions in creating an inventory for the region, methods on climate risk assessment, assessing different species, developing breeding technology for endangered species, adding that GIZ also envisioned to use all the knowledge in the implementation process in the four states.
On GIZ policy, Lennartz said it tried to take all the knowledge gained from science and local community and incorporate them into management plans and State biodiversity strategies, while action plans were developed and reviewed on continuous process.
In his address, additional PCCF urged everyone involved to come up with proper documentation, stating that nothing beat good data when it came to policy and traditional aquatic ecosystem.
He stressed that recommendations should not remain confined but reach the common man, while imbibing a sense of protection for aquatic life among leaders of different civil society groups.
KSCJ principal delivered the welcome address.