Documentation of Biodiversity: Recent Approaches

Submitted By Jibesh Bhattacharjee

M.Sc 1st Sem, Roll no. 28Dept. of Life science & Bioinformatics

Assam University, Silchar

Biodiversity

Bio = Life

Diversity= Variety

Introduction:• Biodiversity was first termed by E.O. Wilson in 1986.• Documentation of Biodiversity is a foundation of any

conservation action.• Repeatable documentation protocols are necessary.• The database should be linked to a network of local,

national and international levels that make information accessible.

• WCMC, IUCN, WWF and UNEP are the examples of such a repository for information on global biodiversity.

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was negotiated and signed by nations at the UNCED Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in June 1992

• The Convention came into force on December 29,

1993

• India became a Party to the Convention in 1994• At present, there are 192 Parties to this

Convention

Convention on Biological Diversity

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT, 2002

• To conserve the Biological Diversity.• Sustainable use of the components of

biodiversity.• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising

out of the use of biodiversity

NBA, SBB and BMC were

established to implement

India’s Biological

Diversity Act (2002)

Information needs:

• Biological Diversity Act needs a variety of information for its proper implementation with aim of conservation and sustainable utilization.

• The knowledge of local people mainly in oral form needs to be documented so as to respect and protect it.

• Biodiversity Information System (BIS)

We cannot manage what we do not know...Need for Documentation of Biodiversity & Traditional

Knowledge At

Local Level With

Involvement of Local People

Validation of documentation: • Maps prepared for specific themes by

superimposing the perceptions of people on existing village map. e.g. increase in the mining area or spread of cattle disease in the region over the period, etc.

• Cross checking with available beneficiaries of medicines or any other skill in field.

• Known information to the data collector based on secondary literature e.g. medicinal values of Holarrhena antidysenterica or fibre value of specific tree bark, etc.

Cont.,,• Knowledge being practiced by the data

collector e. g. use of specific plant species on crop disease, species selected for fuelwood, etc.

• Information can be experienced by data collector e. g. edibility of fruits, recipe for specific tuber, etc.

• Data collector as witness of certain event, e. g. rituals in sacred groves

Peoples’ Biodiversity Register (PBR)

An innovative decentralized approach to know, use and safeguard our biodiversity and traditional knowledge (BMC is prepares People’s Biodiversity Register in consultation with the local people)

Main functions of NBA and SBB• The National Biodiversity Authority shall

provide guidance and technical support to the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) for preparing People’s Biodiversity Register.

• SBB would provide necessary training to the Technical Support Group (TSG) of the district and enable smooth functioning and aid in networking for creation and maintenance of PBR.

Process in PBR Preparation

• Step 1: Formation of Biodiversity Management Committee.• Step 2: Sensitization of the public about the study, survey and

possible management.• Step3: Training of members in identification and collection of

data on biological resources and traditional knowledge.• Step 4: Collection of data. • Step 5: Analysis and validation of data in consultation with

technical support group and BMC.• Step 6: Computerization of information and resources

Documenting information about Millets, Cerals, Oil seeds etc

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Crop Scientificname

Local name

Variety Landscape/habitat

Approx.area

Local status

Special features

Cropping season

uses Community/Knowledge

Documenting information about Medicinal plants

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Plant type

Localname

Scientificname

Variety Landscape/habitat

Source of palnt

Local status

Uses Parts used

Otheruses

Community/Knowledge

IUCN red list

Royal Bengal Tiger Ganges Dolphin

Gharial Indian Bustard

Rhinoceros Black Buck

India has added 15 more species to the “Red List” of threatened species published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2014.

By the year-end, India had 988 threatened species on the list, which lists critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species. In 2013, the number was 973. With 659 species in 2008, the increase over seven years is 50 percent.

Conclusion:

There is a strong need for protecting and promoting the traditional knowledge related to biodiversity. The pace of implementing activities of NBA needs to accelerate for better results. NBA needs more support, reviews and feedback from all the stake holders on its activities. People’s Biodiversity Register should be maintained properly to save our biodiversity.

References:• P.D Sharma, Ecology and Environment 12th Edition (2014-15), Rastogi

Publications, (Page no. 547-619)

• R R Rao, Diversity of Indian Flora, Proc. Indian natn. Sci. Acad. B63 No.3 pp. 127-138, 1997

• Manoel, C.M. (2002). Plant Ecology and Diversity. Ecology: Concepts

and Application, 2nd ed. McGraw Hill. Pp374-383.

• Seema Bhatt and Kanchi Kohli, Process Documentation of The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, India, pp-75

• Ian A. Fleming and Kaare Aagaard, Documentation and Measurement of Biodiversity, vol I, pp 50-69

Thank you