Conserving Biodiversity2

7/27/2019 Conserving Biodiversity2

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There are several strategies which are adapted for conservation of Biodiversity.Some of these are:

1. LegislationFormal policies and programmes for conservation and sustainable utilisation of

biodiversity resources dates back to several decades. The concept of environmentalprotection is enshrined in the Indian constitution in articles 48a and 51a(g). Majorcentral acts relevant to biodiversity include:

Environment Protection Act, 1986

Fisheries Act, 1897

Forest Act, 1927

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 1991

The various central Acts are supported by a number of state laws and statutesconcerning forests and other natural resources. The policies and strategies directly

relevant to biodiversity include National Forest Policy amended in 1988, NationalConservation Strategy and Policy Statement for Environment and SustainableDevelopment, National Agricultural Policy, National Land Use Policy, NationalFisheries Policy, National Policy and Action Strategy on Biodiversity, NationalWildlife Action Plan and Environmental Action Plan.

2. In-situ ConservationConserving the animals and plants in their natural habitats is known as in situconservation. The established natural habitats are:

National parks and sanctuaries

Biosphere reserves

Nature reserves Reserved and protected forests

Preservation plots

Reserved forests

The first such initiative was the establishment of the Corbett National Park in 1936.National Parks are highly protected by law. No human habitation, private landholding or traditional human activity such as firewood collection or grazing isallowed within the park. Sanctuaries are also protected but certain types ofactivities are permitted within these areas.

Biosphere Reserves are another category of protected areas. Under this, a largearea is declared as a Biosphere Reserve where wildlife is protected, but localcommunities are allowed to continue to live and pursue traditional activities withinthe Reserve. The Government of India has set up seven biosphere reserves: Nokrek(Meghalaya), Nilgiri (Kamataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu), Namdapha (ArunachalPradesh), Nanda Devi (Uttar Pradesh), Sundarbans (West Bengal), Great Nicobar(Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Gulf of Mannnar (Tamil Nadu).

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Several special projects have also been launched to save certain animal specieswhich have been identified as needing concerted protection effort. These projectsare designed to protect the species in situ, by protecting and conserving theirnatural habitat. Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Save the Barasingha campaign are

examples of this initiative. Other strategies include offloading pressure fromreserve forests by alternative measures of fuelwood and fodder need satisfactionby afforestation of degraded areas and wastelands.

A programme "Eco-development" for in-situ conservation of biological diversityinvolving local communities was initiated. It integrates the ecological andeconomic parameters for sustained conservation of ecosystems by involving localcommunities with maintenance of earmarked regions surrounding protected areas.

Approximately, 4.2 % of the total geographical area of the country has beenearmarked for extensive in-situ conservation of habitats and ecosystems. A

protected area network of 85 national parks and 448 wildlife sanctuaries has beencreated. The results of this network have been significant in restoring viablepopulation of large mammals such as tiger, lion, rhinoceros, crocodiles andelephants.

3. Ex-situ ConservationEx-situ conservation of plants and animals preserve/ or protect them away fromtheir natural habitat. This could be in zoological parks and botanical gardens orthrough the forestry institutions and agricultural research centres. A lot of effort isunder way to collect and preserve the genetic material of crops, animal, bird andfish species. This work is being done by institutions such as the National Bureau of

Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, the National Bureau of Animal GeneticResources, etc. Reintroduction of an animal or plant into the habitat from where ithas become extinct is another form ofex situ conservation. For example, theGangeticgharial has been reintroduced in the rivers of Uttar Pradesh, MadhyaPradesh and Rajasthan where it had become extinct. Seed banks, botanical,horticultural and recreational gardens are important centres for ex situconservation. Ex-situ conservation measures complement in-situ conservation.

4. Recording Indigenous KnowledgeThe lives of local communities are closely interwoven with their environment, andare dependent upon their immediate resources for meeting their needs. These

communities have a vast knowledge about local flora and fauna which is veryimportant for biodiversity conservation. Much of this knowledge is orally passed onfrom generation to generation. Such indigenous knowledge needs to be recordedand preserved before it is lost. Several organizations have recognized this and areworking to record the knowledge and preserve it for posterity.

5. Community Participation in Biodiversity Conservation

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It is being recognized that no legal provisions can be effective unless localcommunities are involved in planning, management and monitoring conservationprogrammes. There are several initiatives to do this, both by government as well asnon-governmental organizations. For example, the Joint Forest Managementphilosophy stresses involvement of village communities in regenerating and

protecting degraded forest land in the vicinity of villages. Successful conservationstrategies will have to have the confidence and participation of the localcommunities.

6. International Conservation StrategiesConserving biodiversity is not an issue confined to any one country or community. Itis a crucial global concern. Several international treaties and agreements are inplace in the attempt to strengthen international participation and commitmenttowards conserving biodiversity. Some of these are:

The Convention on Biological Diversity: This was signed during the EarthSummit in 1992. It focuses not only on conserving biodiversity but also on

sustainable use of biological resources and equitable sharing of benefits arisingfrom its use.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Floraand Fauna (CITES): This is an international treaty which is designed to protectwild plants and animals affected by international trade. The treaty, in forcesince 1975, controls the export, import and re-export of endangered andthreatened wildlife.

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance: This Convention,also known as the Ramsar Convention, was signed in Ramsar (Iran) in 1971 andcame into force in December 1975. It provides a framework for internationalcooperation for the conservation of wetland habitats which have been

designated to the 'List of Wetlands of International Importance'.

Programmes have also been launched for scientific management and wise use ofwetlands, mangroves and coral reef ecosystems. Twenty one wetlands, andmangrove areas and four coral reef areas have been identified for intensiveconservation and management purposes. Mangroves conservation is one of thethrust areas of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Under the World HeritageConvention, five natural sites have been declared as "World Heritage Sites".

To conserve the representative ecosystems, a Biosphere Reserve Programme isbeing implemented. Twelve biodiversity rich areas of the country have been

designated as Biosphere Reserves. These reserves aim at conserving the biologicaldiversity and genetic integrity of plants, animals and microorganisms in theirtotality as part of the natural ecosystems, so as to ensure that self-perpetuationand unhindered evolution of the living resources.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted the National Afforestation andEco-development Board (NAEB) in 1992. NAEB has evolved specific schemes forpromoting afforestation and management strategies which help the states in

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developing specific afforestation and management strategies and eco-developmentpackages for augmenting biomass production through a participatory planningprocess of joint forest management and microplanning.

A detailed National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) using

participatory planning approach has been prepared, which is currently beingimplemented. Indias richness in biological resources and related indigenousknowledge is well recognised. One of the major challenges before the country liesin adopting an instrument which help realise the objectives of equitable benefitsharing enshrined in the convention.

Conservation of WetlandsWetlands are areas of land where the water level remains near or above thesurface of the ground for most of the year. The association of man and wetlands isancient, with the first signs of civilization originating in wetland habitats such asthe flood plains of the Indus. Wetlands cover about 6% of the earths land surface.

There are several kinds of wetlands such as marshes, swamps, lagoons, bogs, fensand mangroves. They are home to some of the richest, most diverse and fragile ofall natural resources. As they support a variety of plants and animal life,biologically they are one of the most productive ecosystems. Wetland systemsdirectly and indirectly support lakhs of people, providing goods and services tothem. They help to preserve water quality and increase biological productivity forboth aquatic life as well as human communities of the region. India has a wealth ofwetland ecosystems spread over different geographical regions. At present, only 50percent of Indias wetlands remain. They are disappearing at the rate of 2% to 3%every year. The loss of wetlands leads to environmental and ecological imbalances,which have a direct impact on the biodiversity. Wetlands are important as a

genetic reservoir for various species of plants including rice, which is a staple foodfor 3/4th of the worlds population. India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention.Some Ramsar sites which are located in India are: Wular Lake Jammu & Kashmir),Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan), Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), Harike Lake(Punjab), Chilika Lake (Orissa), and Loktak Lake (Manipur).

Conservation of Medicinal PlantsIn India, 7,000 species of plants found in various ecosystems are used for medicine.During the Buddhist period, plants, vegetables and fruits were in use for treatingdifferent ailments. The great works ofAyurveda - Charaka Samhita, SushrutaSamhita andAshtanga Hridaya - mention about 600 species of plants that were in

use. The traditional system of medicine in India dates back to the age of theRigveda.

In 1978, the World Health Organisation (WHO) drew up a list of 240 absolutelyessential medications. All these medications can be obtained only fromplants. Every year, nearly two hundred Indian medicinal plants are being tested inthe research laboratories of several prestigious drug companies the world over.

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Apart from the practitioners ofAyurveda, most women are aware of themedicinal properties of certain plants which they come across in their daily life.In the past people generally collected medicinal plants from forest areas because avariety of medicinal plants were found there. Due to urbanization and also forcultivation, these forests have dwindled. The present immediate need is to

conserve the medicinal plants. Over-exploitation of several herbs is endangeringthe species. In order to retrieve the situation, these important herbs must beconserved either in the nurseries, gardens or cultured laboratories.

Apart from propagating medicinal plants, villagers can be encouraged to set upkitchen gardens where medicinal plants can be grown for their domestic use.Organic farming using medicinal plants as botanical pesticides can be encouragedto replace chemical pesticides. A gene pool of herbal and medicinal plants can beestablished. Conservation strategies based on present demands and immediatefuture needs need to be prioritized.

Role of Communities in Biodiversity conservationProtecting the environment is everyones responsibility. There is an increasedawareness among the people towards the conservation of ecologically sensitiveareas. There are many conservation movements and initiative in India, which havesaved the precious natural resources. Despite all threats, diversity of the speciesand diversity within the species still continue to survive. Their continued existenceis due to farmers and other communities living within the forest. Their culturalpractices and knowledge systems have helped nurture biodiversity.

Nature worship is a tribal belief based on the premise that all creations of naturehave to be protected. Such beliefs have helped preserve several virgin forests in

pristine form called Sacred Groves (the forests of God and Goddesses). Thesepatches of forest or parts of large forests have been left untouched by the localpeople and any interference with them is banned. The practice dates back to about3000 to 5000 B.C. Indian society comprises of several cultures, each with its ownset of traditional methods of conserving nature and its creations.

Green India MissionThe National Mission for a Green India, recently announced by the Prime Minister,is one of the eight National Missions under Indias National Action Plan on ClimateChange. Its major focus is to increase cover and density of Indias medium densityforests and degraded forests. This mission will have repercussions for livelihoods of

people and biodiversity.

Saving biodiversity - Saving lifeFollowing are some conservation actions that we can take up:

Plant trees. Grow native species of plants (trees, shrubs and climber) wherepossible, this would attract local wildlife such as birds, butterflies and insects.

Grow local vegetables in your school garden that are not usually available in themarkets. This would allow help conserve them for generations to come.

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Conserving Biodiversity2

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