The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal and The Nature Conservancy Centre India, jointly organized an expert consultation workshop on "Riparian Restoration in the Narmada Basin: Key Learnings and Future Prospects" on Friday, September 1, 2023. The workshop was chaired by Dr. K. Ravichandran, Director of IIFM, and presided over by Dr. Sushil Saigal, representing The Nature Conservancy India.
In his address, Dr. K. Ravichandran lauded the remarkable ecosystem restoration efforts undertaken for river riparian areas and drew parallels with his extensive experience in implementing ecosystem restoration approaches in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He described this initiative as a "unique approach," emphasizing its potential to guide the sector by evolving a more holistic approach to ecosystem restoration that aligns with the true essence of landscape restoration. He added, "IIFM deeply values and applauds these efforts and stands committed to making meaningful contributions in every conceivable manner for participating agencies to actively engage in knowledge exchange and mutual learning."
The workshop aimed at facilitating a comprehensive discussion on the valuable insights and recommendations for the restoration of riparian zone of river Narmada. Experts from various renowned institutions, including The Nature Conservancy India, IIFM, Jan Abhiyan Parishad, TERI, GGGI, and AIGGPA, enthusiastically participated in the workshop to share their unique approaches, experiences, and outcomes regarding riparian restoration.
This collaborative effort proved instrumental in enhancing the understanding of the diverse activities and progress achieved in safeguarding these vital ecosystems. The workshop also discussed the development of an Incentive based mechanism for payment for ecosystem services generated due to community effort, which will play a pivotal role in sustaining these restoration efforts.