Biodiversity -An Overview

Biodiversity

Contraction of the term Biological Diversity

Coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1985

Popularized by E. O. Wilson – Father of Biodiversity

Biodiversity - Meaning and Levels

It is the variety of “Life on earth”.

Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species, and

ecosystems of a region.

The biodiversity found on Earth today is the product

of nearly 4 billion years of evolution.

Biodiversity - Meaning and Levels

Levels of Biodiversity:

1. Genetic Diversity

2. Species Diversity

3. Ecosystem Diversity

Biodiversity - Meaning and Levels

Levels of Biodiversity:

1. Genetic diversity:

Variations of genes within a species.

Biodiversity - Meaning and Levels

Levels of Biodiversity:

2. Species diversity:

It refers to the variety of species within a region.

Biodiversity - Meaning and Levels

Levels of Biodiversity:

3. Ecosystem diversity

Variety of ecosystems within an area.

India – A Treasure Trove of Biodiversity

India is one of the 17 Megadiverse countries of the world

With 2.5% of the land area, India accounts for 7-8% of the

globally recorded species.

Over 46000 species of plants, 91000 species of animals

recorded in the country.

02 hot spots of Biodiversity – Eastern Himalayas and

Western Ghats.

North – East India, the Western Ghats, North Western and

Eastern Himalaya - Areas rich in endemism.

One of the world's 12 Vavilovian centres of origin (with 167

species of agri-horticultural crops and 320 species of their

relatives known to have originated here).

Situated at the cross junction of the 02 hot spots of Biodiversity

i.e. the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats.

10 National parks and 25 wildlife Sanctuaries.

5000 plant species including 1000 medicinal plants, 500 bird

species and 180 fish species.

Thousands of rice cultivars including local varieties like

chhinor, vishnu bhog, kalimoonch etc.

A rich diversity of minor millets - Kodo, Kutki, Sawan etc.

Largest producer of oilseeds and pulses.

Biodiversity in Madhya Pradesh

Biodiversity in Madhya Pradesh

Native breeds of cattle - Malwi, Nimari, Gaolao and

Kenkatha.

"Bhadhawari" native buffalo breed with highest fat

content in milk.

"Jamunapari" native breed of goat.

"Kadaknath" native breed of poultry famous for its

black meat found in Jhabua District.

Significance Of Biodiversity

Examples of market sectors dependent on genetic resources

Sector Size of Market

Pharmaceutical-US$ 640 bn. (2006)

Agricultural seeds- US$ 30 bn. (2006)

Biotechnology-US$ 70 bn. (2006) from public companies alone,

Many products derived from genetic resources (enzymes,

microorganisms

Personal care, Botanical and food & Beverage industries

US$ 22 bn. (2006) for herbal supplements

US$ 12 bn. (2006) for personal care

US$ 31 bn. (2006) for food products

Microbial Diversity -Industrial waste – Decompose mate

Psedomonas, Arthobacter , Citrobacter

Rhizopus Oryzius – Algae – Uranium and Thorium

Penicillium Crysogenum – ability to absorb - Radium.

Soil – Heavy Metals – Copper , Cadmium , Mercury , Chromium

absorption

Coral reefs and mangroves are shield to tsunami and floods

Grassy stunt vareity of rice developed using -Oryza nivara.

IR-36 HYV –O nivara

Significance Of Biodiversity

Vincristine / Vinblastin - Alkaloids used in Cancer - Rosy

Periwinkle

Taxus Bakatta

Reserpine -Sarpgandha - ( Rawolffia Serpentina )

Guggul – Gum - ( Commiphori Weightii )- Arthritis

Cinchona - Bark - Quinine -Malaria

Artimisine -Artisimia Annua -

Significance Of Biodiversity

• Bio-prospecting – Exploration of Biodiversity for

commercially valuable biological and genetic resources.

CBD – Historical Backdrop

Free Access regime Post CBD Regulated Access

Resource

Provider

Technology

Developer

Convention on Biological Diversity – 1992 – Rio De Janeiro,

Brazil – A landmark treaty.

The Convention has three main goals:-

• Conservation of biodiversity,

• Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity,

• Sharing the benefits arising from the commercial and

other utilization of genetic resources in a fair and

equitable way.

CBD – An Agreement for Action

Concern to Conserve

• CBD is legal binding for the signatory countries to

implement its provisions.

• 193 signatory countries till date.

• In the follow up India has enacted:-

Biological Diversity Act 2002.

Biological Diversity Rule 2004.

Objectives of BD Act 2002

Conservation of Biodiversity

Sustainable use of Biodiversity

Equitable Benefit Sharing

Structure for implementation of BD Act 2002

National Biodiversity Authority

State Biodiversity Boards

Biodiversity Management Committees

Role of

NBA/SBBs/BMCs

Matters relating to

Request for access

by foreign Individuals,

Institutions or

Companies

All matters relating

to transfer of results

of research to any

foreigner

National

Biodiversity

Authority

All matters relating

to access by Indians

for commercial

purpose.

Indian industry will

be required to provide

Prior intimation to

Concerned SBB

about use of

Bio-resources.

State

Biodiversity

Boards

Institutions of local -

self government will

Constitution BMC

at local level for

conservation and

sustainable use of

bio-resourcesBiodiversity

Management

Committees

Functionaries of SBBs

at local level

National

Biodiversity

Authority

Biodiversity

Management

Committee

State

Biodiversity

Board

Access to foreigners for

comm/research purpose

People’s

Biodiversity

Registers

Biodiversity

Management

Fund

Access to Biodiversity

By Indians for commercial useAccess to biodiversity

(consultation to NBA and SBB)

Implementation of BD Act 2002

1. Approach

IN – SITU

Biosphere Reserves , National Parks , Wild Life Sanctuaries

EX- SITU

Botanical Gardens , Zoo , Laboratories , Seed Banks ,Repositories

NBPGR – More than 34, 000 cereals and 22, 000 Oil seeds and

pulses are conserved

Conservation Strategies

1. Expanding and improving Knowledge base of Biodiversity

a) Compilation of scientific inventory

b) Compilation of Community based inventories

c) Identification of biodiversity indicators of pollution , habitat quality , exotic

invasive species.

2. Enhancing In- situ and Ex- situ conservation efforts.

3. Conservation of hot spots of biodiversity.

4. Conservation of crop genetic diversity.

5. On-farm conservation of native breeds.

6. Conservation of sacred groves, Keystone species

Conservation Strategies

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