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Conservation Research Institute

 

Praveen Pardeshi , an Indian civil servant currently leading the United Nations’ global efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases. He was served as  Principal Secretary of Forests of Maharashtra (India) and will speak on ‘Trade-offs in Biodiversity Conservation; Stewardship and Reward’ on 17th June at 11.30 am BST . The talk will be hosted by Professor Bhaskar Vira, Department of Geography


Abstract:

India is home to rich biodiversity that has defined India’s civilisational identity.  The loss of ecosystems driven by humans is changing the nature and character of India, culturally, and even in terms of socio-economic parameters. In this context, some key conservation actions like rehabilitation of villages and settlements from within Protected Areas to restore undisturbed habitats comes at a cost; at the same time has the potential of providing continuity to India’s historical identity.

Praveen will examine the trade-offs, with a focus on such rehabilitations from tiger reserves like Tadoba and Melghat in Maharashtra, India, in which he played a decisive role.

Communities living in forest fringes usually bear the burden of biodiversity conservation in terms of loss of resource access and conflict with wildlife; yet are stewards of forests to which they are culturally linked. Drawing on his years of experience, Praveen will speak about how society and governments further engender this relationship so it is dualistically beneficial to themselves and biodiversity, particularly in the context of existing government initiatives in Maharashtra.

Date: 
Thursday, 17 June, 2021 - 11:30