The term biological diversity – or biodiversity – is applied to the variety of life on earth and the natural patterns it forms. The biodiversity we see today is the fruit of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural processes and increasingly by the influence of humans.
It forms the web of life of which we are an integral part and upon which we so fully depend. Biological diversity encompasses all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the variations between them, and the eco-systems of which they form a part. It occurs at three levels:
(i) species level – refers to number and kinds of living or
(ii) genetic level – refers to genetic variation within a population of species, and
(iii) Eco-system level – refers to the variety of habitats, biological communities and ecological processes that occur in such habitats.
(i) species level – refers to number and kinds of living or
(ii) genetic level – refers to genetic variation within a population of species, and
(iii) Eco-system level – refers to the variety of habitats, biological communities and ecological processes that occur in such habitats.
So far, about 1.75 million species have been identified, mostly small creatures such as insects. Scientists reckon that there are actually about 13 million species, though estimates range from 3 to 100 million India is one of the 12-mega biodiversity countries of the world. With only 2.4 per cent of the land area, India already accounts for 7-8 per cent of the recorded species of the world.
This number is based on the survey of 65 to 70 per cent of the total geographical area of the country. Over 47,000 species of plants and 81,000 species of animals have been recorded in the country so far by the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India respectively. India is an acknowledged centre of crop diversity, and harbours many wild relatives and breeds of domesticated animals.
This Authority will deal with all matters relating to requests for access by foreign individuals, institutions or companies, and all matters relating to transfer of results of research to any foreigner.
All matters relating to access by Indians for commercial purposes will be under the purview of the State Biodiversity Boards (SBB). The Indian industry will be required to provide prior intimation to the concerned SBB about the use of biological resource. The State Board will have the power to restrict any such activity, which violates the objectives of conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits.
Act stipulates that ‘Every local body shall constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) within its area for the purpose of promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity including preservation of habitats, conservation of land races, folk varieties and cultivars, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals and micro-organisms and chronicling of knowledge relating to biological diversity.’ The BMCs are authorized to regulate harvests of biodiversity resources within their jurisdiction, and to charge collection fees for this purpose. They will have at their disposal ‘Local Biodiversity Funds’ into which such income, as well as other grants will be deposited.
S.No | Name | Institute/Organization | Qualifications | Role |
1 | Sri. S. Chandra Sekhar | Secretary, Balajyothi Rural Development Society (BRDS) | M.S.W, M.Sc, B.Ed, | Team Leader |
2
| Sri M Mahendra | Dept.of Botany, S.V.University, Tirupati | M.Sc, M.Phill, —— Ph D | Senior Research Fellow |
3 | Y Ram Mohan | Zoology Lecturer Balayapalli | M.Sc, M.Phill | Scientific Advisor |
4 | Sri A. Kameswaraiah | School Assistant, Venkatagiri | M.Sc M.Ed | Scientific Advisor |
5 | Sri. V.S. Reddy | Secretary, PEACE, Madanapalli, Chittoor | M.A. Sociology | Team member |
6 | Sri. N.Ravikumar | Women Development Society, Gurramkonda | B.A | Team member |
7 | Sri. M.Prathapkumar | DARE Society, Mulakalacheruvu | M.A. Sociology | Team Member |
8 | Sri. D.V.Ramanaiah | MOON Organization, Nellore | B.A | Team Member |
Biodiversity Management Committee | ||
1 | Smt T Jayalakshamma | Chairman |
2 | Sri. B Yathendra Reddy | Secretary |
3 | Sri. Sasi | Member |
4 | Sri Venkataramana | Member |
5 | Smt K Subbamma | Member |
6 | Sri K Nagavardhan | Member |
7 | Smt Rajeeyana | Member |
The People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) seeks to document the knowledge of occurrence, practices of propagation, sustainable harvests and conservation, as well as economic uses of biodiversity resources that reside with India’s local communities. The objectives of the programme would thus embrace the creation of decentralized country wide databases on