About Biodiversity Conversation
- Historical Decline of Species:
- Indian black turtle and other species such as Indian garden lizards and barn owls facing dwindling numbers due to poaching and habitat changes.
- Contrastingly, populations of rock pigeons and rufous treepies have increased.
- Rich Biodiversity Assets:
- Thazhakara boasts 38 sacred groves, 10 paddy polders, and 35 ponds.
- These areas support diverse flora and fauna, contributing significantly to local biodiversity.
- People's Biodiversity Register (PBR) Initiative:
- Thazhakara leads in Alappuzha and Kerala with the second volume of PBR.
- The 261-page document details comprehensive biodiversity information, traditional knowledge, and climate change impacts.
- Community involvement and trained volunteers conducted a thorough three-month survey.
- Role in Conservation and Sustainable Development:
- PBR serves as a critical tool for conservation, sustainable resource management, and protection of traditional knowledge.
- Local projects in agriculture, drinking water, and waste management are being planned based on PBR insights.
- Statewide Impact:
- Kerala was the first state in India to publish PBR across all local bodies.
- KSBB aims to update PBR in 50% of local bodies by 2024, emphasizing ongoing biodiversity monitoring and documentation.
PEOPLE’S BIODIVERSITY REGISTERS (PBR)
- The PBRs focus on participatory documentation of local biodiversity, traditional knowledge and practices.
- The register shall contain comprehensive information on the availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medicinal or any other use or any other traditional knowledge associated with them.
- They are seen as key legal documents in ascertaining the rights of local people over biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES (BMCS)
- According to Section 41 of the Act, every local body shall constitute the BMC within its area to promote conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity including:
- Preservation of habitats
- Conservation of Landraces ο Folk varieties and cultivars
- Domesticated stocks and breeds of animals.
- Microorganisms And Chronicling of Knowledge Relating to Biological Diversity
STRUCTURE
- It shall consist of a chairperson and not more than six persons nominated by the local body.
- Out of total members of a BMC, not less than one-third should be women and not less than 18% should belong to the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes.
- The Chairperson of the Biodiversity Management Committee shall be elected from amongst the members of the committee in a meeting to be chaired by the Chairperson of the local body.
- The chairperson of the local body shall have the casting votes in case of a tie.
FUNCTIONS
- The main function of the BMC is to prepare People’s Biodiversity Register in consultation with the local people.
- The register shall contain comprehensive information on availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medicinal or any other use or any other.