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Introduction:
Biodiversity, is the basis of human survival, and economic development as it provides, a large number of goods, and services, that sustain our lives. It is the combination, of life forms, and, their interactions, with one another, and, with the rest of the environment, that has made earth, a unique place, for human habitation.
It has been reported, that, valuable and, productive biological resources, are crucial, for sustainable economic development. The rural people have always known and realized, the biodiversity is meant for their survival, and protecting Biodiversity is in our own self-interest. Industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, Horticulture, Construction, Waste treatment, and agro-industries are dependent, on biological resources. Between 70 - 80% of the population, in developing countries, relies on plants, as the only source of medicine. Biodiversity generates, economic value, in different ways, and, it has been a source of revenue, from extractable products, obtained from individual species. The use of compounds, genes, and, species is essential to meet, the industrial needs. In recent years, greater attention, has been paid to Bioprospecting, that links Biodiversity and industry.
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Forest Biodiversity
Biodiversity, which is defined as the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur, is measured at three levels the gene, the species and the ecosystem. India has a rich and varied heritage of biodiversity covering ten biogeographically zones, the trans-Himalayan, the Himalayan, the Indian desert, the semi-arid zone(s), the Western Ghats, the Deccan Peninsula, the Gengetic Plain, North-East India, and the islands and coasts. India is rich at all levels of biodiversity and is one of the 17 megadiversity countries in the world. India's wide range of climatic and topographical features has resulted in a high level of ecosystem diversity encompassing forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, coastal and marine ecosystems, each with a unique assemblage of species. The forests cover an actual area of 63.73 million ha (19.39%) and consist of 37.74 million ha of dense forests, 25.51 million ha of open forest and 0.487 million ha of mangroves, apart from 5.19 million ha of scrub, comprises 16 major forest groups. These range from the tropical wet evergreen forests in the northeast to the sub-alpine and alpine thorn forests of the Himalayas through the tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest of Central and Western India.
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Wetland Ecosystem:
Wetland includes a rich diversity of inland and coastal wetland habitats covering 4.1 million ha of the landmass. A number of rare and threatened species of plants and animals Manipur brow-antlered deer, swamp deer, and Olive Ridley turtle are associated with wetland habitats. The coastline of India extends over 7,500 km while the marine ecosystems cover 2.1 million sq.km. The under-explored marine world contributes 15% of the total faunal biodiversity of the country. India has some of the most unique mangrove swamps in the world, in the alluvial deltas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery rivers and the Andaman and Nicobar islands, while coral reefs, considered the most productive marine ecosystems, occur in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Lakshwadeep, and the Gulf of Kutch and Mannur.
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Biodiversity of India:
Survey conducted so far in India have inventoried over 47,000 species of plants and over 89,000 species of animals over just 70% of the country's total area. India's biogeographical location at the junction of the Agrotropical, Indo-Malayan and Paleo-Arctic realms has contributed to the biological richness of the country. Amongst plants, significant diversity has been recorded in ferns with 1022 species and Orchids with 1082 species. A total of 89,451 animal species has been recorded in India accounting for 7.31% of the faunal species in the world. The endemism of Indian biodiversity is high about 33% of the Country's recorded flora is endemic to the country and is concentrated mainly in the North-East, Western Ghats, North-West Himalaya and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. About 62% of the known amphibian species and 50% of the lizards are endemic to India, the majority occurring in the Western Ghats.
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Western Ghats:
India is one of the 17 -megadiversity countries- and the Western Ghats in India is among the 25 global priority hotspots in the world. The Western Ghats are a chain of mountains running parallel to India's western coast, about 30 to 50 kilometers inland. They cover an area of about 160,000 km and stretch for 1,600 kilometers from the country's southern tip in Kerala and moving across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra to Gujarat and Goa in the north, interrupted only by the 30 kilometers wide Palghat Gap.
The Western Ghats mediates the rainfall regime of peninsular India by intercepting the southwestern monsoon winds. The western slopes of the mountains experience heavy annual rainfall with 80 percent of it falling during the southwest monsoon season from June to September while the eastern slopes are drier; rainfall also decreases from south to north. Dozens of rivers originate in these mountains, including the peninsula's three major eastward-flowing rivers. The wide variation of rainfall patterns in the Western Ghats, coupled with the region's complex geography, produces a great variety of vegetation types. These include scrub forests in the low-lying rainshadow areas and the plains, deciduous and tropical rainforests up to about 1,500 meters, and a unique mosaic of montane forests and rolling grasslands above 1,500 meters.
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Rich Biodiversity in Western Ghats:
The Western Ghats region is extraordinary rich in biological diversity. Although the total area is less than six percent of the land area of India, the Western Ghats contains more than 30 percent of all plant, fish, herpetofauna, bird and mammal species as well as numerous medicinal plants and important genetic resources such as wild relatives of grains (rice, barley), fruits (mango, garcinias, banana, jackfruit) and spices )black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg). Like other hotspots, the Western Ghats has a high proportion of endemic species. The region harbours about 4000 species of flowering plants; about 1500 of which are endemic. Approximately 63 percent of India's woody evergreen taxa are endemic to the Western Ghats. Of the nearly 650 tree species found here, 54 percent are endemic. The region supports diverse fauna. Among the vertebrates, the largest number of known species are birds (508), followed by fishes (218), mammals (137) and amphibians (126), with many of these species being endemic to the region. Rare fauna of the region includes: Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Flying Squirrel and Malabar Gray Hornbill. 218 species of fish from primary and secondary freshwaters have been reported, of which 53 percent are endemic to the region.
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Domesticated Biodiversity in Western Ghats:
Domesticated biodiversity in the Western Ghats has been documented by various agencies including National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources and the many institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Greatest diversity of cultivars is found for rice, millets, oilseeds, tubers, vegetables, bananas, species and a variety of horticultural crops. Among domesticated animals, cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits, chicken, geese, ducks, turkeys, guineafowl and pigeons have been maintained and bred in selected pockets of Western Ghats.
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Human Pressure and Biodiversity in Western Ghats:
Biodiversity in the Western Ghats is threatened by a variety of human pressures and the most prevalent form of proximate threats are: selective legal and illegal logging of forests; conversion of forests to agricultural land, monoculture plantations of tea, coffee, rubber, oil palm, eucalyptus and wattle and for building reservoirs, roads and railways; expansion of human settlements as well as encroachment that occur both within and outside protected areas that has also led to increasing human-wildlife conflict; pollution due to unrestricted use of agrochemicals; increase in livestock population and grazing both within and outside the protected areas; extraction of forest products, fuelwood and fodder; wood based industries such as those making bricks, tiles and copra and; illegal hunting. Underlying the proximate causes are the root causes that ultimately drive the loss of biological diversity and these include: population growth; macroeconomic policies, particularly the undervaluation of biodiversity and international trade regulations that have promoted the spread of monoculture plantations and easy access to forest products; property rights associated with decline of community management systems and institutions; poverty and; governance including ineffective management plans, lack of inter-sectoral coordination and centralized bureaucracies.
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Forest degradation in Western Ghats:
As a result of forest degradation today, approximately only 20 percent of the original forest cover remains in more or less pristine state. A study on change in forest cover in the Western Ghats for the period 1973 to 1995 indicates a loss in forest cover by 25.6% over 22 years with dense and open forests reducing by 19.5% and 33%, respectively and consequently an increase in area under degraded forests (26.6%).
At the field level, in response to forest degradation and loss of biological diversity, the Government of India has declared 58 protected areas in the region - 44 wild life sanctuaries and 14 national parks covering a13,595 km2 and representing 9.06 percent of the Western Ghats. The bulk of investments in conservation activities are by the government agencies but these are largely oriented towards development of infrastructure and afforestation programmes. Over the years, large-scale afforestation under the social forestry as well as the Joint Forest Management programmes have been undertaken by the forest departments with support from communities and NGOs. Under Joint Forest Management, the state forest departments have initiated formation of forest management committees called Village Forest Committees to participate in forest protection and regeneration. The Forest Departments have also supported and implemented capacity building programs for these committees. In addition, the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has evolved specific schemes for promoting afforestation and management to assist the states in developing specific strategies and eco-development packages to augment biomass production through a participatory micro-planning process and along the lines of Joint Forest Management.
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Biodiversity and Poor HRD initiatives:
Despite these efforts, afforestation under these and other programmes, has not contributed to conservation of biodiversity since they have been dominated largely by promotion of exotic/ non-native species such as Acacia auriculiformis, eucalyptus and casuarinas. Despite the formation of Village Forest Committees and their capacity building, there has been no change in the biodiversity status of the afforested area under Joint Forest Management. This is largely due to the fact that the capacity building programmes have not focused on biodiversity aspects. Further, the focus has been only on forest ecosystems and other ecosystems have received minimal attention.
Despite this scenario, biodiversity in forests and other ecosystems such as grasslands and agro-ecosystems continue to provide for the various requirements of local communities. Extensive studies conducted in the region show a high dependence of local communities on forest biodiversity for meeting the needs of food, fodder, medicinal plants, handicrafts and their livelihoods. Thus, conservation of biological diversity of Western Ghats is very crucial for local as well as global communities and environment.
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Agrobiodiversity:
The country is bestowed with immense agro-biodiversity and a rich diversity in
Landraces/traditional cultivars/farmer's varieties. A number of crop plants (384) are reported to be cultivated in India. This includes 168 species earlier reported under the Hindustani center, one of the eight Vavilovian centers of origin and diversity. India has 326 species of wild relatives of crop plants. A total of 49 indigenous major and minor crops have been reported in the "History of Agriculture in India" which include 5 cereals and minor millets, 4 pulses, 1 oilseed crop, 9 vegetables, 5 tuber crops, 11 fruits, 5 spices, 1 sugar yielding plant and 7 fiber crops. India is the center of origin of 30,000-50,000 varieties of cultivated plants including rice, pigeonpea, mango, okra, bamboo etc.
The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources has over 1,59, 080 varieties and 1,07,018 germplasm collections. Much of the country's agro-biodiversity is in the custody of farming communities/tribals who followed age-old farming system. Genetic diversity comprising native species and landraces is concentrated in the areas of the Western Ghats, northern Himalayas, southern plateau, central India and northwestern Himalayas. Wild relatives of wheat and barley are located in the Western-Peninsular India. Domesticated livestock and poultry include 27 breed of cattle, 8 breed of buffalo, over 42 breeds of sheep, 20 breeds of goats, 7 breeds of camel, 8 breeds of horses, and a few types of pigs. Of about 20,000 species comprising the fish genetic resources of the world, nearly 11 per cent (or 2118 fish species) have been reported in India, including the finfishes from the Western and Eastern Ghats.
This immense diversity has resulted in the inclusion of two Indian regions in the 25 global biodiversity hotspots. These 2 hotspots, the Western Ghats/Sri Lanka and the Indo-Burma region (covering the Eastern Himalayas) encompassing parts of India and adjoining countries are amongst the top eight most important hotspots. As many as 14 ecoregions lying completely or in part within India figure amongst many as 14 ecoregions lying completely or in part within India figure amongst the Global 200, which are outstanding .examples of the world's diverse ecosystems based on criteria such as species richness, species endemism, unique higher taxa, unusual ecological or evolutionary phenomena, and global rarity of major habitat types.
This biological diversity is reflected in the cultural diversity of the people whose very existence is tied to the continued maintenance and sustainable use of biological resources. India has a rich ethos of biodiversity conservation and traditional knowledge systems and it is these practices that have given rise to informal and localized in situ conservation. Traditionally farming practices are directly responsible for the country's treasure trove of agro-diversity. This respect for nature continues today, and the government has institutionalized biodiversity conservation by undertaking several activities for its conservation and sustainable use.
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Equitable Benefit Sharing mechanism:
Despite the many measures taken for the protection, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, many species and ecosystems are seriously threatened. The broad vision for biodiversity in Agenda 21 is its conservation and sustainable use accompanied by equitable benefit sharing mechanism. This includes a focus on enhancing national biodiversity protection measures involving the development of national strategies; mainstreaming of biodiversity concerns; ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of the benefit accruing from biodiversity; country-wide studies on biodiversity; fostering traditional methods and indigenous knowledge; encouraging biotechnological innovations along with the suitable sharing of their benefits and promoting regional and international cooperation. It also called for reinforcing at the national and international level, capacities for the assessment, study, and systematic observation and evaluation of biodiversity.
The Authority while granting approval to any person for access of for transfer of results of research or applying for patent and IPR or for third party transfer of the accessed biological resources and associated knowledge may impose terms and conditions for ensuring equitable sharing of the benefits arising out the use of accessed biological material and associated knowledge. The formula for benefit sharing shall be determined on case by case basis. The quantum of benefits shall be mutually agreed upon between the persons applying for such approval and the Authority in consultation with the local bodies and benefit claimers and may be decided in due regard to the defined parameters of access, the extent of use, the sustainability aspect, impact and unexpected outcome levels including measures ensuring conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Depending upon each case the Authority shall stipulate the time frame for assessing benefit sharing on short, medium and long term benefits. The Authority shall stipulate that benefits shall ensure conservation, and sustainable use of biological diversity. Five percent of the assessed benefits shall be earmarked for the Authority or Board as the case may be towards administrative and service charges.
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In situ conservation:
India has an extensive system of protected area (PA) encompassing at present 89 national parks and 496 sanctuaries. These cover an area of 1.83 lakhs sq.km in the major biogeographical zones of India.
Twelve biodiversity rich areas of the country have been designated as Biosphere Reserves applying the UNESCO/MAB criteria. The Nilgiri BR has been recently approved for inclusion within the International Network of Biosphere Reserves recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). Under the World Heritage Convention, five natural sites have been declared as World Heritage Sites including Kaziranga NP, Manas WLS, Nanda Devi NP and Sunderbans NP.
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Ex situ conservation:
Ex situ conservation in the country has been institutionalized by setting up botanic and zoological gardens as well as number of gene banks including the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) and the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute. The Indian National Gene Bank was set by NBPGR to house collections of indigenous germplasm, seeds, propagules, safe-keep duplicate germplasm of other organizations and carry out the distribution and exchange of material.
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Biological Diversity Act - 2002:
The Biodiversity Bill is an important mechanism for regulating access to biological resources and in establishing benefit-sharing arrangements. The legislation primarily addresses the issue concerning access to genetic resources and associated knowledge by individuals, institutions or companies, and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of these resources and knowledge to the country and the people. The legislation provides for setting up of a three-tiered structure at national, state and local level as National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards(SBB) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC).
The National Biodiversity Authority deals with matter relating to requests for access by foreign individuals, institutions, or companies, and all matters relating to transfer of results of research to any foreigner; imposition of term and conditions to secure equitable sharing of benefits and approval for seeking any form of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in or outside India for an invention based on research or information pertaining to a biological resource obtained from India. No person referred to in subsection (2) viz foreigners and NRI shall without previous approval of the NBA obtain any biological resource occurring in India or knowledge associated thereto for research or for commercial utilization or bio-survey or bioutilization.
All foreign national/organizations require prior approval of the NBA for obtaining biological resources and/or associated knowledge for any use. Indian individuals/entities require approval of .the NBA for transferring results of research with respect to any biological resources to foreign nationals/organizations. Indian citizens and organizations are required to give prior intimation to the concerned SBB about obtaining any biological for commercial use, and the SBB may prohibit or restrict the activity if found to violate the objectives of conservation, sustainable use and benefit-sharing.
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Human interference on loss of Biological Diversity:
Human action, is chiefly responsible, for loss of Biological diversity, and, we are moving on, what could be, called, another mass extinction of species. Acceleration of loss of biodiversity in these days is chiefly to the destruction of habitats. If the current rate, of clearing is continued, one quarter or more of the species of earth could be eliminated within 50 years. Urgent action, is also needed, because it has been calculated, that, about 40% of global. Net primary productivity (NPP) is consumed by one animal species-Homo sapiens that is human being. Further the human population, is projected to double in the next half a century or so ie more than 10 billion people which will have direct correlation and, tremendous negative impact, on Biodiversity. It has been reported that for the first time in geological history plants are being extinguished in large numbers. Apart from species loss, there is a loss, at the genetic, and ecosystem level and extensive loss is a serious matter of concern, as biological diversity, is the only foundation, upon which the edifice of sustainable advances, in biological productivity can be built.
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Uses of biodiversity:
The diversity of life enriches, the quality of our lives, in ways that are not easy to quantify. Biodiversity provides, not only food, and income, but also raw materials for clothing, shelter, medicines, breeding new varieties, and performs other services such as maintenance of soil fertility, and biota, and soil and water conservation, all of which are essential to human survival. Biodiversity also supplies indirect services to humans, which are often taken for granted. These include potable water, clean air, add fertile soils. The loss of populations, species, or groups of species from an ecosystem can upset its normal function and disrupt these ecological services. Genetic diversity is also important in terms of evolution. The loss of individuals, populations, and species decreases the variety of genes- the material needed for species, and, populations to adapt to changing conditions, or for new species to evolve.
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Conclusion:
The intrinsic value of Biological diversity and of the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values and its components are to be taken care properly for the better management of biological resources and biodiversity for the welfare of human beings for better, and healthier as well as peaceful living on earth. The conservation of biological diversity is a serious and common concern of human beings for better living. The general lack of information and knowledge regarding biological diversity and of the urgent need to develop scientific, technical and Institutional capacities to provide the basic understanding upon which to plan and implement appropriate measures. It should be recognized that the women in rural setup play a vital role in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and affirming the need for the full participation of women at all levels of policy making and implementation for biological diversity conservation. Biodiversity is an important component for economic and social development and poverty eradication and overriding priorities of most of the developing countries in the world.
The conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity is critical importance of meeting of food, fodder, fiber, health, water and other needs of growing world population for which purpose, access to and sharing of both genetic resources and technologies are essential. It should be determined to conserve and sustainable use of biological diversity for the benefit of present and future generations.
Besides law enforcing forces and regulations of the Governments, it is always better to involve the people in a Participatory Modeincluding Tribal people, farmers, ecologists, illiterate villagers, for the conservation and protection of Biodiversity wealth of our great Nation. Awareness creation among people, school children, students and teachers in the colleges, Universities is very important to conserve the biodiversity wealth. Participatory mode of involvement of the people at ground level to acquire more knowledge about the biodiversity conservation will help to maintain and sustain the bioresources and biodiversity. The involvement of local people and their willing participation alone could save the national wealth of biodiversity.
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