TAWANG, 9 Oct: A workshop on 'Indian Himalayan Peatlands: Conserving Nature's Carbon Stores for a Safer Planet' was organised at the IIM Shillong's satellite centre here on Friday by the Zoological Survey of India, in collaboration with the National Mission on Himalayan Studies, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The workshop aimed to create awareness about the ecological significance of Himalayan peatlands, and to strengthen efforts towards their conservation and sustainable management.

The technical sessions focused on introduction to peatlands, their biodiversity and ecological functions, microbial communities in peatlands, bryophytes, and measures for peatland protection and conservation. Experts and resource persons shared their knowledge of the importance of these unique ecosystems and stressed the need to safeguard them against environmental degradation.

Peatlands are important natural ecosystems that store substantial quantities of carbon and support specialised biodiversity. Their conservation plays a significant role in climate change mitigation, ecological balance and the long-term sustainability of fragile mountain environments.

In the Indian Himalayan region, protecting these ecosystems is particularly important, given the ecological sensitivity of the landscape and its vulnerability to environmental changes.

The workshop also featured an interactive session with the participants, feedback, a summary of the programme, and distribution of certificates.

The workshop served as an important platform for knowledge-sharing and awareness generation, emphasising the need for scientific research, collaborative action and community participation in conserving Himalayan peatlands for future generations. (DIPRO)