Biodiversity Conservation issues and Achievements

Presented By

Prof. (Dr.) S. L. Kothari,

Director

Amity Institute of Biotechnology

Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur

Biodiversity Act and Convention on

Biological diversity

• India has one of the most extensive networks of

protected areas in the world

• India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries of

the world and one among the 192 signatories to the

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at Earth

Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992

• And although it is still one of the most biologically

diverse countries in the world, the fight to save animal

species is only becoming more intense as the

population grows

According to Biological Diversity Act 2002, “Biodiversity is defined as the variety and variabilityamong living organisms and the ecological complexes inwhich they occur is measured at three levels viz., genes,

species and ecosystem”.

Convention on Biological Diversity

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

in the year (1987) recognized the need to streamline

international efforts to protect biodiversity

• The UNEP Secretariat prepared the first draft and the

formal negotiating process was started in 1991

• The Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee for a

Convention on Biological Diversity (INC) was given

the task of ensuring the adoption of the Convention.

• On May 22, 1992 the nations of the world adopted

the CBD in Nairobi

• 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

The primary objectives

• Conservation of biological diversity

• Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity

• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out ofthe utilization genetic resources and bio-resources

Taking cognizance of the International Convention onBiodiversity (CBD), and to address the excessivepressure on biodiversity, the Government of India hasenacted Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA 2002)

The legislation aims at regulating access tobiological resources so as to ensure equitablesharing of benefits arising from their use

The Biological Diversity Bill, which wasintroduced in the Parliament in 15th May, 2000,was referred to the Department related to Science,Technology, Environment & Forests forexamination of report

After examination of witnesses and recordingevidences, the Standing Committee approved theBill with some amendments

Cont,,,

The Cabinet approved the proposal for moving theofficial amendments based upon therecommendations of the Committee

The Biological Diversity Bill 2002 has been passedby the Lok Sabha on 2nd December, 2002 and by theRajya Sabha on 11th December, 2002.

(Biological Diversity Bill 2002)

SALIENT FEATURES

• To regulate access to biological resources of thecountry equitable share in benefits arising out ofthe use of biological resources

• To conserve and sustainable use of biologicaldiversity

• Setting up of National Biodiversity Authority(NBA), State Biodiversity Board (SBB) andBiodiversity Management Committee’s. (BMC’s)

• To respect and protect knowledge of localcommunities traditional knowledge related tobiodiversity

• To secure sharing of benefits with local people asconservers of biological resources and holders ofknowledge and information relating to the use ofbiological resources

• Conservation and development of areas ofimportance from the standpoint of biologicaldiversity by declaring them as biological diversityheritage sites

Protection and rehabilitation of threatened species

Involvement of institutions of State Government inthe broad scheme of the implementation of theBiological Diversity Act through constitution ofcommittees

Protect India’s rich biodiversity and associatedknowledge against their use by foreign individualsand organizations without sharing benefits arisingout of such use and check Bio-piracy

Provisions for notifying heritage sites by StateGovernment in consultation with local body

Summary of Biological Diversity Act, 2002

12 Chapters

65 Sections and many subsections

Notified Notifications and Rules

Management structure of Biodiversity Act

A three tiered structure at the national, state and locallevel is envisaged

Chapter – I Preliminary – Terminologies and Definitions

Chapter – II Regulations of access to Biological Diversity

Chapter – III Establishment of National Biodiversity Authority

Chapter – IV Functions and Powers of National Biodiversity Authority

Chapter – V Approval by the National Biodiversity Authority for understanding

certain activities

Chapter – VI Establishment of State Biodiversity Board

Chapter – VI Finance, Accounts and Audit of National Biodiversity Authority

Chapter – VII Finance, Accounts and Audit of State Biodiversity Authority

Chapter – IX Duties of the Central and State Governments

Chapter – X Constitution of State Biodiversity Management Committees

Chapter – XI Local Biodiversity Fund

Chapter – XII Miscellaneous

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Sub-Section (1) (4) of

Section 8), the Central Government has established a body

called the National Biodiversity Authority, on 1st

October,

2003.

The main functions of the Authority are :

• To lay down procedures and guidelines to govern theactivities provided under Section 3, 4, and 6. (Permissionto foreigners/NRI’s foreign companies)

• For obtaining any biological resource (Section -3)

• For transferring the results of any research (Section -4).

• Certain collaborative research projects exempted (Section 5)

State Biodiversity Boards (SBB)

All matters relating to access by Indians forcommercial purposes will be under the purview ofthe State Biodiversity Boards (SBB)

The Indian industry will be required to provideprior intimation to the concerned SBB about the useof biological resource

The State Board will have the power to restrict anysuch activity, which violates the objectives ofconservation, sustainable use and equitable sharingof benefits

Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)

Institutions of local state government will berequired to set up biodiversity managementCommittees in their respective areas forconservation, sustainable use, documentation ofbiodiversity and chronicling of knowledge relatingto biodiversity.

NBA and SBBs are required to consult theconcerned BMCs on matters related to use ofbiological resources and associated knowledgewithin their jurisdiction

People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR)

The Register shall contain comprehensive

information on availability and knowledge of local

biological resources, their medicinal or any other use

or any other traditional knowledge associated with

them

The main function of BMC is to prepare Peoples’

Biodiversity Registers (PBR) in consultation with the

local people.

The documentation of PBR by the BMCs includes

information on bio-resources and associated

knowledge gathered from individuals

Establishment of comprehensive PBRs would not

only help to inventories and document the local

biological and genetic resources, but also to

conserve and sustainably use the bio-cultural

diversity for rewarding income generation

(Gadgil 1996, 2006).

Present activities

NBA has, for the first time channelized the

royalty amount of 20,000/- to Amarchinta BMC

in Mahboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh for

the export of neem leaves to Japan. This is the

first case of benefit sharing in the country

enabled through NBA which has been

accomplished as per the provisions of Biological

Diversity Act

MoEF Report 2009 - 10

Biodiversity in Rajasthan at a Glance

Presented By

Prof. (Dr.) S. L. Kothari,

Director

Amity Institute of Biotechnology

Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur

Total Area: 342,239 km2

Districts: 33Population: 68,621,012Density: 201/km2

Political Map of Rajasthan

Rajasthan at a Glance

• The northwestern portion -> sandy and dry.

• Covered by the Thar Desert which extends into adjoining

portions of Pakistan.

• The Thar Desert is thinly populated.

• This region receives less than 400 mm of rain in an average year.

• The Aravalli Range does not intercept the moisture-giving southwest monsoon winds off the Arabian Sea, as it lies in a direction parallel to that of the coming monsoon winds, leaving the northwestern region in a rain shadow.

•Temperatures can exceed 45 °C in the summer and below freezing point in the winter.

• The Luni River and its tributaries are the major river system of desert region.

• This system is draining the western slopes of the Aravallis and emptying southwest into the great Rann of Kutch wetland in neighboring Gujarat.

• The Ghaggar River, which originates in Haryana, is an intermittent stream that disappears into the sands of the TharDesert in the northern corner of the state and is seen as a remnant of the primitive Saraswati River.

• The Aravalli Range and the lands to the east and southeast of the range are generally more fertile and better watered

• Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan is drained by the Banas and Chambal rivers, tributaries of the Ganges.

River System of Rajasthan

Economy• Rajasthan's economy is

primarily agricultural and pastoral.

• Wheat, Pearl-millet and Barley are cultivated over large areas, as are pulses, sugarcane, and oil seeds.

• Cash Crops: Cotton and tobacco are the state's cash crops. Rajasthan is among the largest producers of edible oils in India and the second largest producer of oil seeds.

• Rajasthan is also the biggest wool-producing state in India and the main opium producer and consumer. There are mainly two crop seasons.

Sugarcane

Pearl-millet

Barley

Wheat Cotton

Castor Oil Seeds

• The water for irrigation comes from wells and tanks.

• The Indira Gandhi Canal irrigates northwestern Rajasthan.

• The main industries are mineral based, agriculture based and textiles. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of polyester fiber in India.

• Rajasthan is pre-eminent in quarrying and mining in India.

• The Taj Mahal was built from the white marble which was mined from a town called ‘Makrana’.

• Rajasthan is presently earning rupees 15 Crore per day as revenue from crude oil sector which is presently 1.75 Lakh barrel per day.

Tourism

• Rajasthan is famous for its forts, intricately carved temples, and decorated ‘havelis’, which were built by ‘Rajput’ kings.

• Rajasthan attracts about 14 percent of total foreign visitors which is the fourth highest among Indian states.

• It is fourth also in Domestic tourist visitors. Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan.

• The palaces of Jaipur, Ajmer-Pushkar, the lakes of Udaipur, the desert forts of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer rank among the most preferred destinations in India for many tourists both Indian and foreign.

• Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product.

Amber FortChittaurgarh Fort Hawa Mahal (Jaipur)

City Palace (Jaipur) City Palace in Udaipur Jaisalmer Fort

Jaigarh Fort Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur)Junagarh Fort (Bikaner)

Plant Biodiversity at Rajasthan

ANGIOSPERMS

Wild SpeciesAgro-horticultural Species

1714320Total 2034

GYMNOSPERMS Wild Species 01

CRYPTOGAMS Liverworts & Hornworts MossesFerns

37

4260

Plants of special interest Red data SpeciesOrchids

0214

TerrestrialEpiphyticParasitic SpeciesCarnivorous SpeciesEndemic SpeciesMedicinal Plant Species

0806100519157+

Largest Tree of State Baniyan (Madri, Udaipur)

Largest Climber of State Joganbel (Bauhinia vahlii), (Pargiapara, Udaipur)

• Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce

• State tree of Rajasthan

• Also called life line of Rajasthan

• It provide food and fodder under extreme drought

• It can thrive well under extreme desert conditions

Interesting Diversity in Angiosperms of Rajasthan

Capparis decidua

• Kair• Fruits used for pickle and vegetable• Fruits can be stored after drying for a long

period

Acacia senegal• Source of economically important Gum

arabic• Used in various folk medicine• As a neutraceuticle• Seeds are used in vegetable

Tecomella undulata

Marwar Teak (Rohida)Famous for durable timberGrow well in drought prone area

Calligonum polygonoides

• Called phog

• It is is a small shrub of about 4 feet to 6 feet high.

• Its charcoal is used to melt iron.

• Its flowers are used to prepare Rayata.

• The plant is fed to cattle.

• It is an important part of the habitat for semi-desert wildlife.

Calotropis procera

• Also called AaK and Madar• Can grow well on wasteland• It has aesthetic value and offered to God Shiva• Flowers are rich in catechin a secondary metabolite

so it has medicinal value

Tribulus terrestris

• Also called Gokharu• Grow during rainy season as weeds• Fruits are used as neutraceuticles

Leptadenia pyrotechnica

• Grow well on sand dunes• Can be used in sand dune stabilization• Branches used in making roof of hut• Also used in making ropes and handicraft items

Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari

• Grow well under drought prone areas• Remain leafless during summer• Leafy during rainy season• Gives oleogum resin, which has steroides –used

in disease and disorders related to heart.• Endangered due to over exploitation

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.

• Also called Tumba or Indrayan

• Fruits are dried and used as feed supplement for ruminants

• Seeds are rich in oil

• Seed oil can be used as bio-fuel

• Roots and fruits can be usedin treatments of jaundice,Asthma, cough, cold, skindiseases, wounds, diabetesand urinary tract disorders.

Cucumis melo

Grewia tenax (Forsk.)

• Called Gangeti

• Use in treatment of rheumatism, cough and tuberculosis

• Also used in making agricultural implements

Aegle marmelos

• Called bael• Got aesthetic value leaves “Bilvapatra” offered to God

Shiva• Fruit and pulp are used in treatment of digestive

problems.

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.

• It has fruit pulp with great detergent properties• Seed oil is having diosgenin, which can be used

as contraceptive• Seed oil is edible.

Ziziphus nummularia

• Bushy in nature

• Gives fodder, which can be dried and stored

• Gives fruits of economic value

• The leaves are used to treat scabies and other skin diseases

Opuntia dillenii

• Called nagphani or thor• Thrives on rocky and sandy areas• It has got anti fertility potential in male rats so male

contraceptives can be developed using this plant. • It provide habitat to several small plants and

animals.

Withania somnifera• Commonly known as ashwagandha

• It possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antistress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and rejuvenating properties.

• It also appears to exert a positive influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous systems.

• Toxicity studies reveal that ashwagandha appears to be a safe compound.

• Commonly called Miswak/ Jaal• Used as brush teeth• Leaves are used in rheumatism and scurvy. • Stem bark is used as tonic. • Fruits are edible

Salvadora persica

Boswellia serrata

• Called Indian olibanum or Salai• Used in treatment of skin disease• Used as ointment • The resin from this plant has long been used in Ayurvedic

medicine as a remedy for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, bursitis, diarrhea, dysentery, goiter, liver problems and rheumatism.

• It is used to reduce inflammation, stiffness and joint pain.

Butea monosperma

• Called flame of the forest or palash• It is used as astringent and diuratic• It is also used in treatment of snake bite• Its flowers are source of natural dye

Conservation of biodiversity

Strategies:

In situ: Habitat conservation, national parks and sanctuaries

Ex situ: in vitro cultures, botanical gardens, gene banks, arborata, cryo banks

Micropropagation a way out

• In vitro mass multiplication of endangered plants.

• Getting clonal propagules will lead to farmer friendly approach.

• Developing variation through callus culture will serve the purpose of improvement of plants and increasing tolerance.

• Cryo-preservation

Animal Biodiversity at Rajasthan

Type Number of Species

FISH AMPHIBIANS REPTILES MAMMALS BIRDS

114146787510

Some Interesting Aspects of FaunaEndangered Mammals Endangered ReptilesCrt. Endangered BirdsEndangeredVulnerableConservation dependentThreatenedRed data Bird species

16080302130114

Animals: Schedule IMammalsReptilesBirds

15056 (+ Accipitridae)

National Parks (03)

S.No.

Protected Area

District(s)Area(Sq.

Km.)Main wild life

1. RanthamboreSawaiMadhopur

282.03Tiger, Panther, Bear, Sambhar, Chital

2.Keola-dev (Ghana) Bharatpur 28.73

Resident and migratory Birds, Chital, Python, Blue Bull, Sambhar

3.Mukundrahills (Darrah)

Kota, Chhitorgarh

199.55Panther, Chinkara, Bear, Chital, hyena, wild boar

Blue Bull

Python Chinkara

Chital Tiger Panther

Hyena Wild Boar Sambhar

S. No. Protected Area District(s) Area(Km.2) Main wild life

1. Bandh-baretha Bharatpur 199.24 Resident and migratory Birds

2. Sariska Alwar 492.29Tiger, Panther, Chital, Sambhar, Porcupine

3. Sariska ‘A’ Alwar 3.01 Sambhar, Chital, Panther

4.Desert National Park

Jaisalmer, Barmer

3162Chinkara, Desert Cat, Fox, Great Indian Bustard

5.Ramgarh-Vishdhari

Bundi 307Panther, hyena, Sloth Bear, jackal, Fox, Chital

6. Kesar Bagh Dholpur 14.76 Wolf, hyena, Fox, Chital

7. Ram Sagar Dholpur 34.40 Wolf, hyena, Fox, Chital

8. Van Vihar Dholpur 25.60Bear, Wolf, Chital, hyena, Fox, Wild Cat

9. Kaila-deviKarauli, Sawai madhopur

676.82Panther, Chital, Chinkara, Sambhar, Bear, hyena, Wild Boar, Wolf

10. SitamataChhitorgarh, Udaipur

422.94Flying Squirrel, Panther, Wild Cat, Sambhar, hyena, Civet

Wild Life Sanctuaries in Rajasthan (26)

S. No.

Protected Area

District(s) Area(Sq.Km.) Main wild life

11.Bhainsrod-garh

Chhitorgarh 201.4Panther, Sloth Bear, Four horned antelope, Chinkara, hyena, Fox

12. Sher-garh Baran 81.67 Panther, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar

13. DarrahKota, Jhalawar

239.76Panther, Wolf, Jackal, Chital, Fox, Sambhar, Sloth Bear, Porcupine

14.JawaharSagar

Kota, Bundi, Chhitorgarh

220.09Panther, Bear, Wolf, Ghariyal, Crocodile, Chital, Hyena, Fox, Jackal

15.National Chambal Ghariyal

S. madhopur, Bundi, Karauli,

Dholpur, Kota,

280Ghariyal, Crocodile, Tortoise, Dolphin, Bear, Chinkara, Otter

16. Bassi Chhitorgarh 138.69 Chital, Chinkara, Panther, Hyena, Wild Cat

17. Tal-Chhapar Churu 7.19 Black Buck, Resident birds,

18. Nahar-garh Jaipur 52.4 Hyena, Jackal, Fox, Hare

19.Jamwa-Ramgarh

Jaipur 300 Panther, Chital, Wild Boar, Hyena, Jackal

S. No.

Protected Area District(s) Area(Sq.Km.) Main wild life

20. Sajjan-garh Udaipur 5.19Panther, Hyena, Wild Cat, Jackal, Fox

21.Phulwari- ki-naal

Udaipur 511.4Panther, Hyena, Wild Cat, Jackal, Fox

22. Todgarh-RaoliRajsamand, Pali, Ajmer

475.23Panther, Hyena, Wolf, Green Pigeon, Jungle fowl

23. Jaisamand Udaipur 52.34Resident Birds, Hyena, Jackal, Chinkara

24. Kumbhal-garhUdaipur, Pali, Rajsamand

610.528Panther, Sloth Bear, Hyena, wild boar, Four Horned antelope, Sambhar

25. Mount Abu Sirohi 326.1Panther, Bear, Hyena, Wolf, Porcupine

26. Sawai Man SinghSawai madhopur

113.07Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Fox, Bear, Chital, Sambhar

Four-horned antelope African Green Pigeon Desert Cat

Black Buck Indian civet Jackal

Otter Porcupine Indian Sloth Bear

Conservation Reserves (10)S.No.

Protected Area District(s) Area(Sq.Km.) Main wild life

1. Bisalpur Reserve Tonk 48.31 Black Buck, Wolf, jackal, Hyena,

2.Jod Beed Gaadwala

Bikaner 56.46 Black Buck, Wild Cat, wild boar

3. Sundha MataJalore, Sirohi

117.49Panther, Bear, Wolf, Hyena, Chinkara

4.Gudha Vishnoiyan

Jodhpur 2.31 Chinkara, Black Buck, Wild boar

5. Shakambhari Sikar 131Sambhar, Porcupine, Fox, wild Cat, Hyena

6. Gogelao Nagaur 3.58 Chinkara, Hare, Black Buck

7. Bir JhunjhunuJhunjhunu

10.47Hare, Hedge-hog, Resident and Migratory Birds

8. Rotu Nagaur 0.73 Chinkara, Hare, Black Buck

9. Ummed Ganj Kota 2.78 Resident and migratory birds

10. Jawai-bandh Pali 19.78Panther, Crocodile, Four Horned Antelope

Biodiversity

Diversity = Variety

Bio What?

•Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part.

Definition:

‘Biological diversity’ or biodiversity is that part of nature which includes the differences in genes among the individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the plant and animal species at different scales in space, locally, in a region, in the country and the world, and various types of ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic, within a defined area.

The word BIODIVERSITY

originates from the Greek word BIOS = LIFE and Latin word DIVERSITAS = VARIETY or DIFFERENCE.The whole word BIO DIVERSITY generally therefore means: VARIETY OF

LIFE.

Why is biodiversity important?

Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the web of life,

including humans. Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place on the earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life. Plant, animal, and insect species interact and depend upon one another for what each offers, such as food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment.

Maintaining a wide diversity of species in each ecosystem is

necessary to preserve the web of life that sustains all living things. In his 1992 best-seller, "The Diversity of Life," famed Harvard University biologist Edward O. Wilson -- known as the "father of biodiversity," -- said, "It is reckless to suppose that biodiversity can be diminished indefinitely without threatening humanity itself."

Speciesdiversity is the effective number of different species that are represented in a collection of individuals

Genetic diversity, the level of biodiversity

refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Ecosystem diversity refers to the diversity of a place at the level of ecosystems. The term differs from biodiversity, which refers to variation in species rather than ecosystems.

Genetic diversity

• Includes the differences in DNA composition among individuals within a given species.

• Adaptation to particular environmental conditions may weed out genetic variants that are not successful.

• But populations benefit from some genetic diversity, so as to avoid inbreeding or disease epidemics.

Includes diversity above the species level.Biologists have viewed diversity above the species level in various ways. Some alternative ways to categorize it include:

Ecosystem diversity

species = a particular type of organism; a population or group of populations whose members share certain characteristics and can freely breed with one another and produce fertile offspring

› Species diversity = the number or variety of species in a particular region

› Species richness = number of species

› Evenness, or relative abundance = extent to which numbers of different species are equal or skewed

SPECIES DIVERSITY

Community diversity

Habitat diversity

Landscape diversity

• India is known for its rich heritage of biodiversity.• India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world.• With only 2.4 % of the world’s area, India accounts for 7–8 % of the world’s recorded plant and animal species.• India’s ten biogeographic zones possess an exemplary diversity of ecological habitats like alpine forests, grasslands, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems, and desert ecosystems.• Amongst the existing biota, 91,307 species of animals of which 2,557 Protista, 12,470 general invertebrates, 69,903 arthropods, 4,994 vertebrates, and 45,500 species of plants as well as 5,650 microbial species have been documented in its 10 bio-geographic regions.• India has four out of thirty-four global biodiversity hotspots, which is an indicator of high degree of endemism (of species) in India.• About 5,150 plant species and 1,837 animal species are endemic to India. •India’s biodiversity includes wild relatives of agricultural crops and domesticated animals.

Causes of BIODIVERSITY

BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY

Consumptive value:

Food/Drink

Fuel

Medicine

Batter crop varieties

Industrial Material

Non-Consumptive Value:

Recreation

Education and Research

Traditional value

Ecological services:

Balance of nature

Biological productivity

Regulation of climate

Degradation of waste

Cleaning of air and water

Cycling of nutrients

Control of potential pest and disease causing

species

Detoxification of soil and sediments

Stabilization of land against erosion

Carbon sequestration and global climate

change

Maintenance of Soil fertility

Flora and fauna diversity depends on-

Climate

Altitude

Soils

Presence of other species

Most of the biodiversity concentrated in

Tropical region.

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS:

A region with high biodiversity with most

of spices being Endemic.

India have two Biodiversity Hotspots- East

Himalayan Region and Western Ghat

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

Natural causes:

Narrow geographical area

Low population

Low breeding rate

Natural disasters

Anthropogenic causes:

Habitat modification

Overexploitation of selected species

Innovation by exotic species.

Pollution

Hunting

Global warming and climate change

Agriculture

Domino effect

Species and taxonomy

Each species is classified within a hierarchy reflecting evolutionary relationships.

Two related species might be in the same genus; two related genera in the same family, etc.

Threatened endangered species In India

Diversity of subspecies

Within species, diversity exists in subspecies, or geographic variations.

The tiger, Pantheratigris, had 8 subspecies.5 persist today, including Pantheratigris altaica, the Siberian tiger.

Endangered golden lion tamarin, endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest, which has been almost totally destroyed.

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

CONSERVATION OF

BIODIVERSITY

CONSERVATION OF

BIODIVERSITY

Conservation of Biodiversity

Conservation approaches: International treaties

• Various treaties have helped conserve biota.

• A major one is CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, prepared in 1973.

• It bans international trade and transport of body parts of endangered organisms.

Conservation approaches: International treaties

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), from the Rio Conference in 1992, aims to:

• Conserve biodiversity

• Use it sustainably

• Ensure fair distribution of its benefits

The CBD has been signed by 188 nations, but not by the United States.

Biodiversity is the variety of life forms on earth and the essential interdependence

of all living things.

As defined in convention on Biological diversity singed at Rio De Jenerio (Brazil)

in 1992 by 154 countries, the Biodiversity defined as “the variability among living

organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic

eco-systems and the ecological complexes of which the area part- this include

diversity with in species, between species and of ecosystem.”

According to IUCN in 1998, “the variety and variability of species of their

population, the variety of species of their life forms, the diversity of the complex

association with species with their interaction and their ecological process which

influences perform.”

BIODIVERSITY CONVENSIONS

The first convention on biodiversity organized at Rio De Janerio,

capital of Brazil from June 5 to 16, 1992 named as United Nation

Conference On Environment and Development

(UNCED), batter known as Rio Summit to maintain ecological

balance and enrich biodiversity. The agreement on biodiversity signed

by 150 countries including three programmes-

To ensure conservation of biodiversity

Sustainable use of biodiversity

Rational and equitable share of profit to accrue from use of genetic

resources.

The second convention organized at Johannesburg in 2002 called

World Summit On Sustainable Development (WSSD) where the

Biodiversity and Sustainable Ecosystem Management was the issue.

The International Conference held on Biodiversity in Relation to

Food & Human Security in a warming planet 15-17 February, 2010

in Chennai.

International Conference on Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation

held on 3 to 5 June, 2010 at Dal lake, Srinagar, Kashmir.

Indian Biodiversity Congress (IBC) & Indian Biodiversity

Expo(IBE) will be held on 27-31 December at Thriuvananthapuram,

Kerala

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY: INSITU AND EX-SITU

In-situ conservation:Conservation of a species is best done by protecting its habitat along with all the other species that live in it in nature.

Ex-situ conservation:However, there are situations in which an endangered species is so close to extinction that unless alternate methods are instituted, the species may be rapidly driven to extinction.

Biodiversity inventories

Conserving Biodiversity in protected

Habitats-

In situ conservation

Ex situ conservation

Seed Bank, Gene Bank, Pollen Bank,

DNA Bank

Restoration of Biodiversity

Imparting Environmental Education

Enacting, strengthening and enforcing

Environmental Legislation

Population Control

Reviewing the agriculture practice

Controlling Urbanization

Conservation through Biotechnology

Biodiversity Conservation

In situ

Sacred groves

and lakes

Biosphere Reserves

Terrestrial

Marine

National parks, wildlife

sanctuaries

Ex situ

Sacred plant home garden

Seed Bank, Gene bank,

Cryopreservation

Botanical garden, Zoological

garden, Aquaria

Biodiversity loss and species extinction

• Extinction = last member of a species dies and the species vanishes forever from Earth

• Extirpation = disappearance of a particular population, but not the entire species globally

• These are natural processes.On average one species goes extinct naturally every 500–1,000 years—this is the background

rate of extinction.

• 99% of all species that ever lived are now extinct.

Benefits of biodiversity: Biophilia

Biophilia = human love for and attachment to other living things; “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek out with the rest of life”:

• Affinity for parks and wildlife• Keeping of pets• Valuing real estate with landscape views• Interest in escaping cities to go hiking, birding,

fishing, hunting, backpacking, etc.

Ethics?

Do we have an ethical responsibility to prevent species extinction?

On one hand, as humans we need to use resources and consume other organisms to survive.

On the other hand, we have conscious reasoning ability and are able to make conscious decisions.

Conservation biology

• Scientific discipline devoted to understanding the factors, forces, and processes that influence the loss, protection, and restoration of biological diversity within and among ecosystems.

• Applied and goal-oriented: conservation biologists intend to prevent extinction.

• This discipline arose in recent decades as biologists grew alarmed at the degradation of natural systems they had spent their lives studying.

Equilibrium theory of island biogeography

• Explains how species diversity patterns arise on islands, as a result of:

• Immigration

• Extinction

• Island size

• Distance from the mainland

• The theory originally developed as basic science for oceanic islands.

• Then it was found to apply to islands of habitat (fragments) within terrestrial systems, for conservation biology.

Conservation approaches: Captive breeding

• Many endangered species are being bred in zoos, to boost populations and reintroduce them into the wild.

• This has worked so far for the California condor (in photo, condor hand puppet feeds chick so it imprints on birds, not humans).

• But this is worthless if there is not adequate habitat left in the wild.

Conservation approaches: Umbrella species

• When habitat is preserved to meet the needs of an “umbrella species,” it helps preserve habitat for many other species. (Thus, primary species serve as an “umbrella” for others.)

• Large species with large home ranges (like tigers and other top predators) are good umbrella species.

• So are flagship species, or charismatic species that win public affection, like the panda.

Conservation approaches: Biodiversity hotspots

Biodiversity hotspot= an area that supports an especially high number of species endemic to the area, found nowhere else in the world

Conservation approaches: Biodiversity hotspots

Global map of biodiversity hotspots, as determined by Conservation International.

Conservation approaches: Community-based conservation

• Many environmentalists from developed nations who want to establish reserves in developing nations have been viewed with resentment by local people.

• But today many efforts work with local communities to get them invested in the conservation of their own natural resources.

• This community-based conservation makes efforts more complex, but will probably be more successful in the long run.

Conservation approaches: Economic incentives

Debt-for-nature swaps = a non-governmental organization (NGO) raises money and offers to pay off debt for a developing country, in exchange for parks, reserves, habitat protectionConservation concession = an NGO offers money to a developing nation’s government for a concession to some of its land—for conservation, rather than for resource extraction

CONCLUSION

Biodiversity is our life. If the Biodiversity got lost at this rate then in

near future, the survival of human being will be threatened. So, it is

our moral duty to conserve Biodiversity as well our Environment.

Long-term maintenance of species and their management requires co-

operative efforts across entire landscapes. Biodiversity should be dealt

with at scale of habitats or ecosystems rather than at species level.