Restoring biodiversity on large tracts of land is one of the major commitments that India has made under the Paris Accords. This direct connection between biodiversity and climate change was strongly affirmed by most nations in the Conference of the Parties in Glasgow.

 

Methods of Biodiversity Conservation: In-Situ Methods, Ex-Situ Techniques

• In Situ Method: Conserving the animals and plants in their natural habitats. 

• Example: Protected Area Network, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves

• Ex Situ Method: Conserving biodiversity outside the areas where they naturally occur.

• Example: Zoological Parks, Botanical Gardens, etc.

Ecological Hotspots, Eco-Sensitive Zones, and Biodiversity Conservation

 

Ecological/Biological Hotspot

Eco-Sensitive Zones

An ecological hotspot is a biogeographic region that is significantly rich in biodiversity but is threatened with destruction.  These areas are the 36 different regions across the globe where success in conserving species can have an enormous impact in securing our global biodiversity. To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5 % of the world’s total) as endemic. It must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, around Protected Areas, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries.  The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorber” to the protected areas.  They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection. Various activities are regulated and restricted in these zones, depending upon their nature and their potential impact on the environment. Some of these activities include commercial mining, setting up of industries, major hydroelectric projects, etc.

 

Biodiversity Hotspots in India: Key Regions for Biodiversity Conservation

• The Himalayas: This includes the entire Indian Himalayan region (and also falls in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar).
• The Western Ghats: These are older than the Himalayas and spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• Sundaland: Includes the Nicobar group of Islands (and Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines).
• The Indo-Burma region: It encompasses Eastern India, Southern China, and the whole of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula.

 

Key Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation in India: National Biodiversity Action Plan, Wildlife Protection Act                                                                                                 

National Guidelines, Legislations & Other Programmes related to Biodiversity Conservation

National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP). Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) program. National Wildlife Action Plan. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Indian Forest Act, 1927. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. National Wetland Conservation Program (NWCP). National Green India Mission (GIM). Project Tiger. Project Elephant.

National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS). National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE). National Mission for a Green India (GIM). Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH). Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019. National Marine Turtle Action Plan. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA). National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat. National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-Being.

 

National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP): Key Thematic Areas, Strategies, and Goals for Biodiversity Conservation

• It is a comprehensive plan that seeks to protect, conserve, and augment biodiversity resources within the country. 
• Thematic Areas: The NBAP identifies several thematic areas of intervention including: 

• Strengthening and integration of in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures.

• Regulation of the introduction of invasive alien species and their management.

• Integration of biodiversity concerns economic and social development.

• Integration of Biodiversity Concerns:

• Livelihood Security: The NBAP emphasizes that the conservation of biodiversity should lead to enhancement of livelihood security, poverty alleviation, and ensuring equitable sharing of benefits.

• Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs): The NBAP proposes the strengthening of BMCs at the local level for conservation of biodiversity.

• The NBAP emphasizes public participation 

• Research and Training: The NBAP encourages research in biodiversity.
• International Cooperation: The NBAP is India’s response to its international commitments under the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).
• Strengthening the regulatory framework: It has provisions for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the measures taken for biodiversity conservation.

Do you know?

• Today, India is one of the 17 mega-diverse (richest biodiversity) countries.
• Hope spots: A hope spot is an area of an ocean that needs special protection because of its wildlife and significant underwater habitats. Ex – Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep islands identified by IUCN.
• ‘Deep Ecology’: It believes in the intrinsic value of every living being, wherein all life is to be respected for its own sake, not for any of its monetary values.

• It is based in the belief that humans must radically change their relationship to nature from one that values nature solely for its usefulness to human beings to one that recognizes that nature has an inherent value.

Biodiversity Act, 2002: Key Features, Protection Measures, and Regulations for Biodiversity Conservation

• The Biodiversity Act, of 2002 aims to regulate access to biological resources, protect traditional knowledge rights, and ensure equitable benefit sharing.

 

KEY FEATURES:

• Protection of Threatened Species: The Act empowers the Central Government, in consultation with the NBA,
  to identify threatened species and regulate their collection, rehabilitation, and conservation.

• Prohibition of activities: Prior approval from the National Biodiversity Authority needed for the following. activities: 

• Obtaining biological resources found in India for research or commercial use, whether by individuals or organizations, regardless of their location.
• Transferring the outcomes of research conducted on biological resources found in or obtained from India.
• Asserting any intellectual property rights over inventions based on research conducted on biological resources obtained from India. 

CURRENT CONNECT BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (AMENDMENT) Act, 2023: KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS It amends: The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to simplify compliance requirements for domestic companies. The overall aim is to streamline access to biodiversity resources, potentially propelling India towards its ambitious $300 billion bioeconomy target by 2030. It exempts: Users of codified traditional knowledge and AYUSH practitioners will be exempted from sharing benefits with local communities. It removes: Research and bio-survey activities from the purview of benefit sharing requirements. Aim: To promote research and development in the field of traditional medicine. Benefit sharing will be decided by: The National Biodiversity Authority, while granting approval under this section, determine the benefit sharing in such manner as may be specified by regulations. Align the definition of foreign-controlled companies with existing laws: Such as the Companies Act, 2013, to regulate their access to biological resources.  Aim: To ensure compliance with international agreements, such as the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing, open up the industry to foreign investment. It decriminalises: All offences under the Act, and amended provision dispenses with the imprisonment clause, opting instead for a more substantial fine. ASSOCIATED CONCERNS WITH THE ACT Concerns about equitable benefit-sharing: By exempting practitioners of Indian systems of medicine, from the requirement of sharing benefits with local communities🡺 undermine the principles of fairness and inclusivity. Reducing the severity of Act: By replacing criminal penalties with monetary fines🡺weaken enforcement mechanisms and fail to deter illegal activities. Increased biopiracy: By exempting Practitioners, research and bio-survey activities. Lack of transparency: By introducing exemption clause🡺 open path for pharmaceutical companies to exploit natural resources, with no financial obligation to the communities Misuse of provisions: Corporate or foreign interests could use the loophole of permissions given to traditional medicine and use it for commercial purposes, without sharing of benefits with the conservers Expansion/centralisation of power: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) approve all research and commercial use involving biological resources from India by foreign groups🡺without community participation🡺against the forest rights, principle of participatory democracy. Lack of clarity on benefit sharing: The bill does not provide clear guidance on how benefits should be shared with local communities and traditional knowledge holders.  Uncertain impact on biodiversity: This could lead to increased exploitation of biological resources, instead of conserving biodiversity. WAY FORWARD (Including joint committee recommendations) Community Engagement: The biodiversity law should explicitly link biodiversity conservation with the needs of the people. Meaningful stakeholder engagement and inclusive consultations: Vital for transparent decision making🡺include local communities, indigenous groups, conservationists, scientists, industry representatives, and policymakers. Prevent Bio Piracy: India must prevent biopiracy by ensuring that the benefits of commercializing traditional knowledge accrue to the custodians of that knowledge. Preservation of habitats: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) recommended retaining the provision for preservation of habitats.   It also recommended the conservation of living things in water bodies among the functions. Reasonable deterrence: The JPC recommended that the penalty should not be too meagre and should be proportionate to: (i) gains obtained by entities, and (ii) the size of the company. Interdependence of Biodiversity with Other Areas: It is crucial to understand that biodiversity conservation is closely linked to other significant global discussions on climate change, food security, and public health.

 

Bioresources for Commercial Purposes: Definition, Examples, and Controversies in Biodiversity Utilization

Context: Dabur has been accused by the National Biodiversity Board of unauthorized commercial use of bioresources, according to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

• Definition: Bioresources refer to biological materials, organisms, and genetic resources derived from living organisms, which hold significant commercial value.

• Examples of bioresources: 

• Medicinal Plants: Plants like ginseng, turmeric, and yew tree
• Marine Organisms: The oceans are a rich source of bioresources, including marine algae, fish
• Microorganisms: Bacteria, fungi
• Utilization: Bioresources can be utilized for various purposes, including medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and industrial applications.

 

Benefits of Bioresources for Commercial Purposes: Economic Value, Medicinal Applications, and Agricultural Impact

• Economic Value: The global herbal medicine market, fuelled by the commercial demand for bioresources, is projected to reach $411 billion by 2026.
• Medicinal Applications: The anticoagulant drug heparin, derived from pig intestines, has significant commercial value in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Agricultural and Food Security: Genetically modified crops, such as Bt cotton, have revolutionized commercial agriculture by providing pest resistance and increased yields.
• Industrial Applications: Microorganisms like Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are used in the commercial production of recombinant proteins and bioethanol, respectively.

 

Challenges and Solutions in Biodiversity Conservation: Overexploitation, Intellectual Property Rights, and Sustainable Management Practices

Biodiversity Loss, Overexploitation of bio-resources, and issues related to Intellectual Property Rights.

 

Solutions

Need and Potential

Sustainable Management Practices Legal and Policy Framework: The Nagoya Protocol provides guidelines for accessing and utilizing genetic resources,  Research and Innovation Example: The commercial success of genetically modified crops, such as herbicide-tolerant soybeans, is a result of research and innovation in agricultural biotechnology. Public Awareness and Education Example: Consumer awareness of sustainably sourced palm oil has influenced commercial demand and encouraged the industry

Sustainable Development: The commercial cultivation of sustainable palm oil, meeting global demand while ensuring forest conservation and community well-being. Climate Change Mitigation: The use of biomass for bioenergy production reduces reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Food Security: The conservation and utilization of crop wild relatives contribute to the development of climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties. Biodiversity Conservation: Eco-tourism centered around bioresource-rich areas promotes conservation efforts while providing income opportunities for local communities.

 

Conclusion: 

Globally, bioresources play a vital role in achieving sustainable development, climate change mitigation, food security, biodiversity conservation, and human health and well-being. Their responsible management, sustainable practices, knowledge sharing, and policy frameworks are crucial for unlocking their full potential. International collaboration, equitable.

 

National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-Being: Key Objectives, Programs, and Impact on Biodiversity Conservation

The National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-Being is an initiative launched in 2018. It aims to prioritize biodiversity and conservation in Indian science, policy, and society. It is intended to be inclusive, involving scientific institutions, government agencies, non-government organizations, and people from various walks of life​.

Key points about the mission include

• • Overall Goal:  Help India achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Utilize biodiversity for solutions in agriculture, health, and climate change

• Proposes Two-Component Program

• First component: Cataloguing and Mapping Life of India. Aims to Build inventory of India’s biodiversity
• Second component: Six Programs under this.

• Biodiversity and ecosystem services, Climate change and disaster risk reduction, Agriculture, Health, Bioeconomy, Capacity building and outreach.

One Health: Opportunities and Challenges One health is an integrated and collaborative approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the health of the environment. Measures to achieve one health  Policy Coordination and Governance: Establish coordinated policies and decentralized governance structures, such as at the panchayat level. Capacity Building and Research Innovation Integration of AI and Data Analysis: Utilize AI and data analysis techniques for efficient sample analysis,  Leadership and Strategic Planning: Establish effective leadership mechanisms, foster cross-sector collaboration, and develop comprehensive strategies and action plans to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of One Health initiatives. Conclusion:  A multi-faceted approach involving collaboration among policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, veterinarians, environmentalists, and the public can pave the way for sustainable lives in the future.

 

Biodiversity Heritage Sites: Importance, Examples, and Role in Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity Heritage Sites, defined by the Biodiversity Act of 2002, are areas of ecological significance that possess unique, rare, or endemic biodiversity. These sites are legally protected and recognized for their crucial role in conserving biological diversity.  So far forty-four (44) Biodiversity Heritage Sites have been notified by sixteen (16) states (By Dec 2023). 

 

IMPORTANCE OF BHS:

• Ecological Importance: BHS are recognized for their unique biodiversity. These sites aim to preserve and protect Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Practices
• Examples:

• Sacred Groves in Meghalaya and Vaidyars in Kerala represent such Forested areas which are protected based on traditional beliefs.
• Indigenous agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh promotes biodiversity conservation.

• Conservation Focus: The main objective of designating BHS is the conservation and preservation of the rich biodiversity found within these sites.
• Legal Protection, Sustainable Use, Awareness and Education and Integrated Approach.

National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031): Key Components and Role in Wildlife Conservation

• The National Wildlife Action Plan is landscape-based, rather than being based on sanctuaries or national parks, with a focus on preserving genetic diversity and promoting sustainable development. 
• The NWAP contains five components:

1. Strengthening and promoting the integrated management of wildlife and their habitats.
2. Adaptation to climate change and promoting integrated sustainable management of aquatic biodiversity in India.
3. Promoting eco-tourism, nature education, and participatory management.
4. Strengthening wildlife research and monitoring the development of human resources in wildlife conservation.
5. Enabling policies and resources for the conservation of wildlife in India.

NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS (NBS)

Nature-Based solutions (NBS) are approaches that utilize and work with nature to address environmental and societal challenges, integrating ecological processes and biodiversity conservation into decision-making processes.

 

• About: Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural ecosystems, that address societal challenges such as climate change, human health, food and water security, and disaster risk reduction effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously benefiting both biodiversity and human well-being.

• Potential of NBS: The World Bank estimates suggest that nature-based solutions can provide 37% of the mitigation needed until 2030 to achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement.

• Various applications:

• Climate-smart agriculture: that enables farmers to retain more carbon in their fields as they produce crops. Includes restorative agri-practices like no till, crop rotation, agro forestry etc. 

• Decreasing deforestation: By paying farmers not to cut down the forests, preserves ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, provision of clean drinking water, and reduction of river sedimentation downstream.

• Building Disaster resilience: restoring native forest at the margins of the river to avoid landslides, flooding, mudslides, and other disasters.

Example of utilizing Nature based Solution

• A common problem is the flooding in coastal areas that occurs as a result of storm surges and coastal erosion. 
• This challenge is traditionally tackled with manmade (grey) infrastructure such as sea walls or dikes.
• But coastal flooding can also be addressed by actions that take advantage of ecosystem services such as tree planting (like mangroves).

Need Nature-Based Solutions

• Dependence on Natural Assets: Approximately half of the world’s GDP relies on the sustainable utilization of natural assets across various sectors like agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and tourism.
• Climate Emergency: The climate emergency is exacerbating heat waves, jeopardizing food and water security, and posing risks of sea-level rise impacting billions of people in the near future.
• Biodiversity Crisis: Approximately a million animal and plant species are currently threatened with extinction, marking the highest level of species endangerment in human history.

Applications in Various Fields

• Water Scarcity: NBS address water scarcity through “supply-side management” and are pivotal for achieving sustainable water for agriculture.
• Agricultural Practices: Practices like conservation tillage, crop diversification, legume intensification, and biological pest control are effective in managing water availability.
• Wastewater Treatment: They offer a cost-effective, nature-based solution for wastewater treatment, providing effluent suitable for non-potable uses like irrigation and yielding additional benefits like energy production.
• Flood Management: These solutions involve strategies such as water retention, managing infiltration and overland flow, and creating space for water storage through methods like floodplain management.

 

CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS:

• Limited financial resources: Inadequate funding mechanisms hinder the widespread implementation of NBS.
• Policy and institutional barriers: Inadequate integration of NBS into policies, regulations, and planning frameworks at various scales.
• Knowledge and capacity gaps: Limited understanding and awareness of NBS among decision-makers, practitioners, and communities.
• Scale and replication: Scaling up and replicating successful NBS projects to achieve broader impacts can be challenging.

• Monitoring and evaluation: Establishing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness and long-term benefits of NBS.

Conclusion: 

NBS uses ecosystems and biodiversity to tackle environmental challenges, reduce climate impact, conserve biodiversity, enhance water management, and boost socio-economic development. Strengthening policies, funding, and collaboration will pave the way for a future where NBS promotes resilience and sustainability for both nature and humanity.

 

Aravalli Green Wall Project: Revitalizing Ecosystems and Preserving Biodiversity

• The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the Green Wall project, creating a 5-km-wide green belt to restore the ecology and preserve biodiversity in the Aravalis and surrounding Gurugram-Delhi regions.

• The Aravali Green Wall Project is an ambitious initiative aimed at restoring and conserving the Aravali Mountain range in India. 

• It involves creating a 1,400 km long and 5 km wide green belt buffer around the Aravali range, covering states such as Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.

 

          Challenges of the Aravalli Green Wall Project: Land Degradation, Wildlife Connectivity, and Resource Management

• Land Degradation: Restoring degraded land and ensuring tree survival is a challenge due to the extent of damage and the need for long-term management.
• Water Scarcity, Encroachment and Illegal Activities.
• Wildlife Corridor Establishment: For instance, Constructing elevated canopy bridges across highways and strategically placed underpasses beneath roads to enable safe passage for arboreal species like monkeys and squirrels, reducing habitat fragmentation and enhancing wildlife connectivity within the green wall project area.
• Maintenance and Monitoring: Requires advanced technological solutions and effective management strategies.

 

Way Forward for the Aravalli Green Wall Project: Nature-Based Solutions, Community Engagement, and Advanced Technologies

• Incorporate nature-based solutions: Such as green infrastructure and ecosystem-based approaches, to enhance project effectiveness.
• Encourage active participation of local communities.
• Nano-Biotechnology for Plant Growth: For Example, Develop Nano fertilizers tailored to the specific nutrient requirements of native plant species in the Aravalli region, promoting their healthy growth and survival.
• Nature-Based Engineering: For Example, implement erosion control blankets and use region-specific native plant species with robust root systems to reinforce slopes and prevent erosion in vulnerable areas of the Aravalli Green Wall project.

 

Conclusion: 

By embracing innovative approaches and engaging all stakeholders, the Aravali Green Wall Project has the potential to create a sustainable and resilient ecosystem, benefitting both the environment and the communities living in the region.

 

Bonn Challenge: A global effort to restore 350 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, through nature-based solutions. Great Green Wall Initiative: A project across Africa aiming to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land.

 

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PYQ How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (2018)