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FIRST NATIONAL

BIODIVERSITY CONGRESS 2012Kanakakkunnu Palace, ThiruvananthapuramDecember 21-30, 2012

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NBC CORE COMMITTEE

Dr. Oommen V. Oommen

(Chairman, KSBB)

Dr. K.P. Laladhas

(Member Secretary, KSBB)

Dr. Achuthsankar S. Nair

(Member, KSBB)

Dr. N. Omanakumari(Member, KSBB)

Dr. K.G. Sreekumar (Member, KSBB)

Dr. A.K. Sherief

(Member, KSBB)

Dr. K. Mohanakurup(Member, KSBB)

G. Rajeev

(Addl Secretary, Dep. of Envt)

Dr. V.S. Jayakumar

(Eduworld)

KERALA STATE BIODIVERSITY BOARD

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FIRST NATIONAL

BIODIVERSITY CONGRESS 2012Kanakakkunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram, December 21-30, 2012

NBC Logo release by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Oommen Chandy in the presenceof Chairman, NBA, Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati and Pricipal Secretary, Environment(Kerala) Shri. James Varghese.


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NATIONAL

BIODIVERSITY CONGRESS 2012

he biodiversity we have inherited today is the result of generations of evolution,T shaped by nature's gentle touch. Biodiversity provides incredible ecosystem

services that sustain our lives and the loss of biodiversity will threaten our very existence.

The vast array of domesticated plants and animals is shrinking rapidly as modern intensive

commercial agriculture focuses on few crop varieties. Farmers' traditional knowledge is

central to both sustaining biodiversity and ensuring global food security. This knowledge

is rapidly being eroded, undermining the important contributions that the real custodians

of biodiversity can make.

NBC-2012 hosted by Kerala State Biodiversity Board under the auspices of National

Biodiversity Authority and supported by all State Biodiversity Boards is a national level

colloquium of scientists, conservationists, environmentalists, farmers, youth and all other

grass root level conservationists who are interested in leaving a positive footprint in

conserving our rich heritage. The major objective of the congress was to showcase the

richness of biological, cultural and ecological heritage of our country, create public

awareness of the need for conservation of biodiversity and the ecological services it

provides through exhibitions, pre conference workshops, road shows, photography

contest, children's ecological congress etc. National Biodiversity conference was

organised with the express purpose of development of a strategic plan for the conservation

of biodiversity and to chalk out conservation initiatives for meeting the Aichi biodiversity

targets and mainstreaming conservation in policy making and to identify key issues in the

endeavour.

The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 calls for effective and urgent action to halt

the loss of biodiversity in order to ensure that by 2020, ecosystems are resilient and

continue to provide essential services, thereby securing the planet's variety of life. The

clock towards 2020 is ticking and urgent measures are needed right from grass root level

to meet the targets and to halt the loss of biological diversity. Kerala State Biodiversity

Board has taken the initiative in hosting the first National Biodiversity Congress (NBC

2012) at the quaint capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. NBC 2012 conducted in

the wake of CoP11 will continue as a national annual event and the next NBC 2013 is

planned to be organised at Kolkata from October 3-5, 2013 with the focal theme “Leading

from behind”.

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Venue: Kanakakkunnu Palace,Thiruvananthapuram,

December 21-30, 2012


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The National Biodiversity Congress was conducted at the picturesque settings of

Kananakkunnu palace grounds and the various programmes held in conjunction includes

Dates and Venue

National Biodiversity Expo 2012 : 21- 30 December 2012

Capacity Building workshops : 22, 26 December 2012

Biodiversity popularization programme : 15-30 December 2012

National Biodiversity Conference : 27- 30 December 2012

Children's ecological congress : 29-30 December 2012

National Biodiversity Expo -2012

xpo 2012 was held at Kanakakkunnu PalaceEGrounds, Thiruvananthapuram from December

21, 2012 to December 30, 2012. The exhibition held in

conjunction with NBC 2012 is a

allowed the visitor to explore Earth's incredible

variety of wildlife, habitats, and cultures. The event

generated a lot of curiosity among the general public and

helped in creating awareness regarding Biodiversity

conservation at grass root level.

About 40,000 people visited the Expo. Theexpo was highly appreciated by visitors as well as media

for being very informative and attractive.

unique exhibition

focusing on the beauty and variety of life on our planet

and

The exhibition was

successful in enhancing public awareness of the

importance of conserving biodiversity, of the threats and

factors leading to biodiversity loss, the multiple aspects

of biodiversity contributing to human well-being, as is

evident from the huge turnout of curious public from all

walks of life.

National Biodiversity Expo -2012, jointly organized by

National Biodiversity Authority and Kerala State

Biodiversity Board, was inaugurated on December 21st

by Hon’ble Minister for Home Shri. Thiruvanchoor

RadhaKrishnan. “Sustainable development is the best

form of development and it can be achieved only if

development and environment protection go hand in

hand”, Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan

has said. Minister for Health Shri.V.S. Sivakumar

chaired the meeting. He said that the Government of

Kerala will give thrust to Eco-friendly development.

Shri.V.S. Sivakumar released the newsletter “Green

Life” and the book “Invasive Plants of Kerala” published

by Kerala State Biodiversity Board. Kerala State

Biodiversity Board Chairman Dr. Oommen V. Oommen,

Member Secretary Dr. KP. Laladhas and Dr. K.G. Sreekumar, Board Member addressed the gathering. About

300 persons attended the inaugural function.

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Many dignitaries including Hon'ble Chief Minister Mr. Oommen Chandy who remarked that the Expo

is very informative and excellent. Among the 150 stalls in the Expo, 100 were set up by Government Departments,

Boards, Research Stations and NGO's. About 80 organizations participated in the ten- day event. The stalls took the

audience through the myriad biodiversity of India, biogeographical zones, critically endangered flora and fauna,

biodiversity heritage sites, domesticated biodiversity, conservation measures, success stories, traditional varieties and

breeds.

The major attraction of the Expo was the display on Western Ghats put up by the Central Ministry of Environment and

Forests through the National Museum of Natural History. It showcased a series of panels, each devoted to a particularaspect of the multifarious biodiversity that cloaks the Western Ghats. The stunning photographs were accompanied by

informative text that stresses on issues such as population encroachment that threatens the ecological treasures of the

Western Ghats.

visited the Expo

The picture gallery is a celebration of pristine nature, a gateway to stunning diversity of flora and fauna.

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Inauguration of National Biodiversity Congress Expo 2012 by Hon. Minister for Home Shri. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnanin the presence of Minister Shri. V.S. Sivakumar and other eminent members of Kerala State Biodiversity Board

Shri. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan lighting the lamp.

Releasing of Newsletter Green Life by MinisterShri. V.S. Sivakumar.

Releasing of the book “Invasive Plants of Kerala” by Minister Shri. V.S. Sivakumar.

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Cultural Programmes

7

s part of the National Biodiversity Congress 2012 and National Biodiversity Expo, programmes showing the richAcultural diversity of Kerala were organized at Kanakakunnu Nishagandhi and Sooryakanthi open air auditoriums

named as “Kalasandhya”. Visitors to the Expo as well as conference delegates from various parts of the country and

abroad witnessed these programmes which were arranged by the Department of Tourism, Govt of Kerala and Kerala

Folklore academy. The programme timing was evening 6.30 onwards. The programmes included Theyyam,

Oattan thullal, Villadichan Pattu, Thayampaka, Nadan Pattu, Karnatic Music, Kathakali, Ganamela and Padayani.

On 21 December ,

On 22 December ,

On 23 December,

On 24 December,

On 25 December,

On 26 December ,

On 27 December,

On 28 December ,

On 29 December ,

Teyyam was performed by Shri. Sivadasan and group from Kannur.

Program was sponsored by Sensemusics Ganamela, Thiruvananthapuram, singing varied film

& album songs. Release of a new music album “Ponkinakal” was done by KSBB Chairman

Prof. Oommen V. Oommen to Member Secretary Dr. K.P. Laladhas.

Smt. Vanaja Sankar, Govt. Music College Principal, performed Carnatic Music Kacheri,

which was sponsored by KSBB.

Nadanpattu was performed by a folk group from varkala arranged by Folklore academy.

Kathakali was performed at Sooryakanthi by Mr. Vasudevan Namboodiri and group, which was

sponsored by KSBB.

Chavittunadakam was played by Kripasana Pauranika Kalakendra.

Two Cultural programs were conducted; Tayambaka by Margi Krishnas and Vilpattu by

Shri. Thalayil Kesavan Nair and group.

Oattanthullal was performed by Kalamandalam Mahadevan and group.

Padayani was performed by Devi Vilasom Padayani Sangam from Pattanamthitta.

Visitors including tourists gathered to see the programs & took photographs. These cultural programs revealed the

tradition and cultural heritage of Kerala.

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Cultural diversity of Kerala

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photography competition, with 'BiodiversityAof Kerala' as the theme was organised in

connection with National Biodiversity Congress

2012. The response to the contest was tremendous

and 279 entries were received. The Judging

committee included wildlife photographers

Mr. Balan Madhavan, Mr. Suresh Elamon and news

photographer Mr. B.S. Prasannan. The prizes were

awarded to the winners by Hon’ble Home Minister,

Shri. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan at the inaugural

ceremony of NBC 2012 at Kanakakkunnu Palace .

Photography competition

Mr. Ullas G. Kalappura of Kattappana South,

Kunthalampara, Idukki, bagged the first prize of

Rs. 15001 along with a certificate and memento.

The second prize went to Mr. Jobymon C.P. of

Areepparambu, Kottayam and Benny Ajantha of

Vilivinal, Pathanamthitta won the third prize. Thecash awards for the second and third positions were

Rs. 10001 and Rs. 5001 respectively.

The consolation prize was won by Mr. B.S. Biju,

Kadavoor, Kollam; Mr Rajan Kuttur, Kuttur, Thrissur;

Mr. Salim Pichan, Kalpetta, Wayanad; Mr. Babu

Thomas, Rajakkad, Idukki; Ms. D. Karthika,

Pulayanarkotta, Thiruvananthapuram; Mr. Prakash

Thachakkudy, Vanchiyoor, Thiruvananthapuram;

Mr. M.D. Bijulal, Kanjiramkulam, Thiruvanantha-

puram;Mr. Devdas, Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram;

Mr. T. Anilkumar, Edappally, Kochi and

Mr. P. Karunakaran, Golf Links Road, Thiruvanan-

thapuram.

Photo: Ullas G. Kalappura

Photo: Jobymon C.P

Photo: Benny Ajantha

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n conjunction with NBC 2012, a Haritha sangam was organised involving more than 150 farmers and conservationists.IFarmers have an increasing role as guardians of traditional as well as neglected and underutilized crops, vegetables and

tree species. any of the local land races preserved by farmers/ user groups, have evolved through natural selection and

this has enabled India to be recognised as one of the eight Vavilovian centres of origin and diversity of crop plants. Themain objective of Haritha sangam was to enable these grassroot level conservationists to present their painstaking efforts

in conserving biodiversity of crop plants/ medicinal plants/ traditional breeds and share their experiences, success stories

and stumbling blocks encountered.. Dr. K.P. Laladhas, Member Secretary, KSBB welcomed the gathering and

Dr. Oommen V. Oommen, Chairman, KSBB gave the introductory speech. “Farmers are the greatest conservationists and

no other community has contributed so much to the cause of conservation as farmers,” Dr. K.P. Laladhas commented in his

welcome address. “Conservation of both our plant and animal diversity is the only means of sustaining biodiversity in the

country today” Dr. Oommen V. Oommen, Chairman, KSBB said in his touching address to the farmer community.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr.P. Pushpangadhan, Former Director NBRI. Technical session was presided by

Dr. Sudhodhanan, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandary, Palakkad. “Conserving efforts should be properly incentivised;

mere advocating will not serve the purpose. Care should be taken to properly market the benefits of traditional cattle

varieties” advocated Dr. Shudhodhanan.

The key resource persons who shared their experience were Chandran Master, Abrahim Mathew, Rajan Babu, Narenedran

Karunagapally, Purushottaman Kammath, Narendranath, Narayanan Unni, S.A. John, Raveendran, Cheruvayal Raman,

Avaneendranathan, M. Babu, Anilkumar M.R., Sebastian Vaidyar, Jochi (tribe) of Karimbannan tribe from Wayanad,

Shri. R. Hali, Retd. Agri. Director was the moderator. The workshop was primarily an interactive one and involved sharing

of experiences and expertise in organic eco-friendly farming and was made more lively by rendering of short poems and

anecdotes by the participants. Each blade of grass is a wealth. There are no varieties of plants that are a waste according to

Chandran master. Everything in nature is interlinked and one helps the other to grow. While scientific methods and

facilities such as seed banks are coming up conservation of the natural habitat is the best method as pointed out by

Dr. K.P. Laladhas, Member Secretary, KSBB. All the traditional agriculturist spoke unanimously against the use of

chemicals and advocated natural farming.

M


Haritha Sangamam (22. 12. 2012)

Preconference workshops

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Interactive sessions during Harithasangamam

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BMC & NGO Meet (26. 12. 2012)

Edappal open forum, Malapuram; Centre for health and Envt. studies ( CHEST), Kollam; Kasrgode dwarf conservation

society; Help foundation, Kollam; Save Idukki campaign; Pampa Pariraksana Samiti; Munnar Envt. and wild life society;

Friends of Nature, Calicut; Santhigram, Thiruvananthapuram; Green community, Kottayam; Rajiv Gandhi Centre,

Venganur, Thiruvananthapuram; Society for Rural Development; Kuttanad Nature society; Neythal Kasargode are some

of the major players who participated actively in a constructive discussion on the local issues faced by them in conserving

biological resources.

he programme was inaugurated by Dr. M.K. Muneer, Hon’ble Minister for Panchayat and social welfare. In hisTinaugural session he commended KSBB saying that the state leads in biodiversity thanks to active participation of

local bodies and that Kerala should be proud of the fact that Human development index of Kerala is next to that of Norway

and the role of conservation is imperative in maintaining this. The programme was attended by more than 200 BMC

members and various NGO associations. Dr. R.V. Varma , Former Chairman, KSBB gave keynote address on the Role of

BMC in biodiversity conservation.

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Inauguration of BMC-NGO Meet by Dr.M.K. Muneer. Minister for Panchayats and Social Welfare.

Minister addressing the audience Participants of BMC-NGO Meet.

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FIRST NATIONAL

BIODIVERSITY CONGRESS 2012DECEMBER 27-30

Dr. Shashi Tharoor in his inaugural address called for

coordinated efforts to preserve the countries biodiversity

and reiterated the need for maintaining a healthy

ecosystem to help ourselves. He observed that

“Conservation of biodiversity was the best means to deal

with problems of climate change and adaptation”.

During his Key Note Address to the Congress, Dr. R

Chidambaram, Principal Science Advisor to

Government of India, confirmed the establishment of a

National Biodiversity Grid to facilitate and support thework of NBA in collating, analyzing and synthesising

nation-wide biodiversity data and information for

conservation and sustainable management of

biodiversity of the country and also to assist appropriate

policy making. The Grid, that will be established as a part

of the National Knowledge Network (NKN) with

assistance from Centre for Development of Advanced

Computing (C-DAC) will provide a unique technology

based platform for linking biodiversity based data and

information across the country. He proposed a

Biodiversity foresight analysis to predict critical

components of biodiversity that should be preserved.

ational Biodiversity conference 2012, organized

N by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board involved

four days of scientific, policy and legal deliberations to

make India a leader in translating the potential of

biodiversity for sustainable national development and

securing livelihoods of local communities.

The Congress witnessed a range of presentations on

various issues of national interest in biodiversity,

Organic farming, behavioural ecology, Western Ghats

biodiversity, agrobiodiversity conservation, nematode biodiversity, people's participation in conservation,

animal biodiversity, new advances in bioinformatics,

biotechnology and others. The scientific sessions

reiterated the need for conservation and sustainable

management of biological resources, associated

traditional knowledge besides ensuring appropriate

capacity building at individual and institutional levels

and raising the awareness of a range of stakeholders.

Dr. Oommen.V. Oommen, Chairman, KSBB welcomedthe elite gathering and the conference was inaugurated

by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for Human

Resources Development, Government of India.

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Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Hon'ble Minister of State for H.R.D inaugurating National Bioodiversity Conference.

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Joining the Congress through a video link at the inaugural

session Dr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, Prime Minister's

Innovation Council announced a proposal to establish a

National Innovation Council on Biodiversity. He said the

“National Innovation Council on Biodiversity will

develop decade long strategies to ensure biodiversity of

the country is sustainably managed, benefits of

biodiversity shared with communities and appropriate

national policy and strategic frameworks relevant to

biodiversity linked and mainstreamed so that investments

on biodiversity become multi-pronged and multi-

sectoral”. Pitroda said that “country needed to create

more wealth by innovations in food processing and

medicines. Conservation history of India is being

rewritten by cumulative conservation efforts in all areas

and we hope to bring about a situation wherein

development and conservation go together than against

each other”.

Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Chairman, NBA in his presidential address said, “India becomes, perhaps, the

first country in the World to have established such an

innovation council for biodiversity that will be supported

by the best intellectuals and talent in the country. This

Council will add a significant feather in the cap of India's

Presidency for the Convention on Biological Diversity.

This Council, I hope, will bring a sea-change in the way

we deal with biodiversity and ecosystems in the

country”. He said that conference assumed more

thsignificance as it falls on the 40 anniversary of the

Stockholm conventions, which perhaps for the first time

gave a political force to conservation efforts. India as the

President of COP to the convention on biodiversity could

take the initiative by reaching out to other countries and

regions to exchange expertise and offer aid in conservation.

This was followed by the release of the book of abstracts

published by KSBB, by Dr.R. Chidambaram.

Dr. B. Venugopal, Director, National Museum of Natural

History New Delhi, Dr. K.S. Krishnan, National Centre for

Biological Sciences, Bangalore; Dr. C.V. Jayamani,

Professor, School of Management Studies; CUSAT, Kochi;

Dr. Anil Kumar, Director, M.S. Swaminathan Research

Foundation, Wayanad; Dr. Renee M. Borges, Professor &

Chairperson, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian

Institute of Science, Bangalore; Dr. Sreejith Aravindakshan

Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK;

Dr. K. Rajmohan, Head of Dept. of Plant Biotechnology,

College of Agriculture, Thrissur; Dr. E.V. Ramaswamy,

Director, School of Environmental Sciences, M.G.

University, Kottayam; Dr. C. Mohankumar, Director,

SCMS Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology Research

and Development, Cochin; Dr. C.R. Elsy, Professor & Head,

Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics & Co-ordinator,

Intellectual Property Rights Cell, Kerala Agricultural

University, Thrissur; Dr. M. A. Akbarsha, Director, MGDC,

Tiruchirappalli, Prof. V.C. Malarmannan, Global greengrowth, Dr. Rajasekharan, Former Addl. Director,

JNTBGRI, Thiruvananthapuram delivered invited lectures.

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Dr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, Prime Minister’s InnovationCouncil addressing the gathering through a videoconference.

Presidential address by Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority

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ProgrammesDr. P.R Sudhakaran, Director of Biotechnology

commission, KSCSTE; Dr. N. AnilKumar, Director,

MSSR; Dr. S. Edison, Former Director, CTCRI; Dr. A.K.

Sherief, College of Agriculture, Vellayani; Dr. P.G. Latha,

Ditrector, JNTBGRI; Dr. E.V. Ramasamy, Director, School

of Environmental sciences, M G University; Dr. Sreejith

Aravindakshan, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of

Copenhagen; Dr. S. Rajasekharan, JNTBGRI; Dr. K.S.

Krishnan, National Centre for Biological Sciences,

Bangalore; Dr. M.M. Aruldhas, , Madras University;

Ranjan Mathew Varghese, Director, WWF; Dr. Preetha

N., KSBB; Dr. Vidya Ramasamy, Chairperson, INCITE

chaired the various sessions. A special session of Hortus

malabaricus drove attention to this important treatise on

medicinal properties of flora of Kerala. Oral and poster

presentations were made during the Congress by

scientists and research scholars from various parts of the

country on the following main themes

Focal Theme

Biodiversity for food security

Subthemes

Food security: Through organic farming:

Role of science and technology in access and benefit shar ing of bio resources in India

People's participation in biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilization and management of

tr aditional knowledge

Trad itional and indigenous seeds and br eeds for futur e

Marine ecosystem and influence of climate change on biodiversity

Special session:

Western Ghats heritage status- Challenges and oppor tunities

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Releasing of the Book of Abstract of National Biodiversity Conference, by Dr. R. Chidambaram, PrincipalScientific Advisor to Govt. of India

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Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Chairman, NBA commented thatthe proposed National Innovation council on biodiversity

could help maximise the use of biodiversity related

information at community level and provide economic

incentives for conservation efforts. NBA will work closely

with National Innovation council for creation of NIC. NIC

will look at ways to minimise the conflict between

conservation and economic development. The council would

also come up with models for enterprise development in

energy efficiency technologies. The National Biodiversity

grid a technology platform that will ensure free and open

access to data on biodiversity and ecosystems will become

operational in a few months. A prototype of the grid

developed by CDAC is undergoing tests. The NBG project

was mooted in the draft National Biodiversity Information

outlook released during CoP11 as a joint effort by MoEF and

NBA to address the conservation challenges in India and

contribute to economic growth ecological sustainability and

social well being. Efforts are on to involve agencies such as

Indian space research organisation and Indian Institute of

Remote Sensing. Biodiversity related information is

available in India in various forms such as databases, remote

sensing, GIS Maps, specimens, herbaria more than 100

databases and networks are available. CDAC is developing a

platform that can facilitate the linking and ensuring access to

information in one particular mode. PBR would also be

integrated in the grid for controlled access to information.

The data can be accessed through a simple registration

process. The sessions included presentations on the

following main focus areas


he Conference also bought together twenty stateT biodiversity boards (SBBs) across the country to

discuss issues of implementation of the Biological

Diversity Act and Rules with specific focus on

preparation of Peoples' Biodiversity Registers (PBRs)and strengthening the Biodiversity Management

Committees (BMCs). The sessions included

Presentations and experience sharing by various

Biodiversity boards as Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.

The discussions during the sessions of SBBs elaborated

the state level opportunities and challenges to preparing

the PBRs. Complementing the pro-active approaches

used by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, the SBBs

committed to completing the PBRs in timely manner to

ensure biodiversity related information and knowledge

are appropriately registered and future benefits shared

with respective communities. Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati,

Chairman, NBA said that the progressive support being

provided by the Government of Kerala to the SBB is

commendable and stands as a National model. He

specifically thanked the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri.

Oommen Chandy, for his unstinted support to the State

Biodiversity Board and the support being provided by

the Department of Local Self Governance to the BMCs in

effectively implementing the Biological Diversity Act.

Kerala State Biodiversity Board intends to translate the

wisdom and thoughts it has gained in the last few years

into action – a plan “from lab to field”. We intend to

demonstrate a few action plans like restoration of

biodiversity of abandoned quarries, restoration of urban

pond system, restoration of River Pamba and

conservation of the lost seeds and breeds of State

promised Dr. Oommen V. Oommen, Chairman, KeralaState Biodiversity Board. We are happy to showcase the

Kerala model of biodiversity conservation. The De-

centralized, LSG Government and Biodiversity

Management Committees initiated biodiversity

conservation said Dr.K.P. Laladhas, Member Secretary,

Kerala State Biodiversity Board.

16

NBC- Parallel Sessions

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Our elite audience

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Gar uda: The Pan Indian e-Infrastructure for collaborat ion and innovation by

Dr. Subrata Chattopadhyay, CDAC , Bangalore

Biodiversity Information and Data Management Future Road Map by Dr. P.S. Roy, Geospatial

Chair Professor Center for Ear th & Space Sciences, Hyderabad Centr al University

Peoples Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) by Ravishankar Thupalli, Project Manager,

UNDP, National Biodiversity Author ity, Chennai

Report & Guidelines for Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), National Biodiversity

Authority, Chennai

Managing Biodiversity: Information, data and policy by Dr. Balakr ishna Pisupati ,

Nat ional Biodiver sity Author ity

Green Economics Its Impact on Environment and Biodiversity to Implement the Biological

Diversity Act by Prof. C.V. Jayamani , School of Management Studies, CUSAT, Kochi

Constituting and Strengthening of BMC- The Ker ala experience by

Dr. Oommen V. Oommen, Chair man, KSBB

Economic valuation for Financing biodiversity by

Pr akash Nelliyat, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai

Closing ceremony

Dr. Oommen V. Oommen proposed the vote of thanks. In his concluding speech, Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati,

Chairman, NBA mentioned the decision taken by the Authority to organize such sessions on a yearly basis

and that it will be expanded gradually to include special interactive sessions with private sector and others.

He stressed on the need for conserving biodiversity and gave an inspiring speech intermingled with

folklores for the benefit of the young generation. Awards were given away to the best stalls and the winnersin the Children's ecological congress. The programme concluded with a touching speech by Dr. Vidya

Ramasamy and a short prayer in memory of the girl who lost her life under tragic circumstances. This was

followed by a press conference highlighting the suggestions and recommendations evolved during the

three days of active discussions.


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Project p resentation: Project presentations were conducted in three categories with the following main themes- House

hold medicinal plants (Upper primary), Biodiversity of my village (High school) and Local rice varieties and their

traditional knowledge (Higher secondary).

Co-ordinators: Dr. George Thomas, Asst. professor, University College, Thriuvananthapurma, Dr. Bijukumar, Asst.

Professor, Department of Zoology, N S S College, Dr. Sreekala K. S., Asst. Professor, College of Agriculture, Vellayani.

The other competitions included Painting competition, Poster making, Cartoon drawing and our eminent judges

included Shri. Kattoor Narayana Pillai, Vice Chairman, Kerala Lalithakala Academy; Shri K.C. Chithrabhanu,

Director, Raja Ravi Varma Centre for Visual Arts; Shri. Sujith, Cartoonist, Kerala Kaumudi, Thiruvananthapuram.

Elocution competition on the Themes Biodiversity, What? For why?, Waste management, My green Kerala were

conducted under the expertise of Dr. Radhika C Nair, Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature, Sanskrit college ,

Dr. Ajayan, Associate Professor, Govt women's college, Dr. Dominic. J K, Associate Professor, University College,

Thiruvananthapuram. A quiz programme was conducted by Shri SivaKumar, Education officer, WWF. The quiz

programme of UP and HSS was conducted by Dr. Suni G Benjamin, Assoc. Professor, All Saints college and Prof

Mohana Kumar, Dept of Zoology, Govt Women's college. A review chart was distributed to the participants to express

their opinion about the programme, they were given the opportunity to express their opinions and clarifications were

given by the co coordinator. The overall trophy was presented to C.K.N.S GUSS, Pilicode, Kasargode. A trophy with a

certificate of merit was given to the winners of the various competitions in the closing session.

12

Children’s Ecological Congress


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NBA Chairman Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati along with Dr. Oommen V, Ommen, Chairman and Dr. Laladhas, MemberSecretary, KSBB presenting the overall trophy to the jubilant winner of 5th CEC.

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Suggestions And Recommendations

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Suggestions and Recommendations

Development of a National Biodiversity Gr id

Establishment of a National Innovation Council on Biodiversity

Development of a National Biodiversity Data and Information Policy

Biodiversity Informat ion and Data Management- Future Road Map

Establishment of a National Biodiversity Grid to facilitate and support the work of NBA in collating, analyzing and

synthesising Nation-wide Biodiversity data and information for conservation and sustainable management of

biodiversity of the country and also to assist appropriate policy making is one of the major outcomes announced during

NBC 2012. National grid computing initiative will bring together academic, scientific and research communities for

developing their data and compute intensive applications. NBG would ensure free and open access to data on

biodiversity and ecosystems. It will address the conservation challenges in India and contribute to economic growth and

ecological sustainability and social well being. The Grid will be used to assist NBA in creating a National Biodiversity

Information Facility. Biodiversity related information is available in various databases and there are more than 100

databases in the country, but none of them are connected. The Grid will enable facilitating a link between them and

ensure access to information in one particular mode. PBR will be also be integrated in the grid for controlled access to

information, and appropriate guidelines will be worked out.

Another pathbreaking recommendation of NBC 2012 is the setting up of a National Innovation Council on Biodiversity

which will help to develop decade long strategies to ensure biodiversity of the country is sustainably managed, benefits

of biodiversity shared with communities and appropriate national policy and strategic frameworks relevant to

biodiversity - linked and mainstreamed so that investments on biodiversity will become multi-sectoral. The innovation

council for biodiversity will be supported by the best intellectuals and talent in the country. The council would also be

responsible for developing a national policy and strategic expertise on biodiversity. Business investments in

biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services are minimal in India, and hence there is a need to create a platform of

innovation and promote partnership and collaboration so that Ecosystem services can contribute to biodiversity

conservation and economic growth and the Innovation council will facilitate this.

Biodiversity – Information and Knowledge, is available but they are highly scattered and there is huge duplication of

work and the information rarely gets translated into practical knowledge. India has several institutions focusing on

generating, compiling and using the data but the data are not readily available for analysis, or policy making. Many

institutions have information documented in the form of databases which are in heterogeneous formats and exist

independently. There is no framework to link the scattered data so as to facilitate exchange of data among different

databases. There is no meta-data and the gap between data managers and data producers is widening. Hence NBA is

considering a National Biodiversity Data and Information Policy to address these problems.

This will serve to provide a single window for the Biodiversity information of the country. The creation of such a road

map will facilitate the Creation of Interoperable environment with national standard; Encourage independent growth of

data sets; Encourage co-evolution and complementation among datasets; Add value to independent datasets through

synergy; and enable the Conventions of data to knowledge which can be put to use for the benefit of community.

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Issues in pr epar ation of People Biodiversity Register

A need for focussing the PBR preparation on documentation of biodiversity and associated knowledge, geographical

coverage, dealing with ways to accrue benefits to the community with an emphasis on sustainable management ofresources, quantification of the resources, and serving as an impact assessment tool for developmental activities have

been acknowledged as the need of the day during the various sessions. Awareness on Biological Diversity Act and the

rights & obligations by the local communities, Role of local bodies/Panchayats/BMCs in managing PBRs and the

process of preparation and validation of PBRs are to be provided.

a. Constitution of TSG to facilitate the PBR preparation should be undertaken taking into consideration the

availability of Resource Persons to form TSG. Networking of resource persons is also of profound importance.

The SBB shall formulate District level technical support groups comprising of officials/ institutions /people of

excellence and expertise in the biodiversity issues at local level, which should guide the BMC in its operation.

The People's Biodiversity Registers shall be maintained, authenticated and validated by the Biodiversity

Management Committees with the assistance/guidance of the local Technical Support Committee,

b. Capacity building at the levels of policy, execution, supervision and implementation of PBR process is

necessary. This should include Technical Support for documentation, training on data entry and PBR form,

development of manuals and modules, development of database and networking, uploading data, drafting PBR,

Specific Training Programmes towards skill development at state, district and village levels and orientation

programme for BMCs.

c. Proper linkages to be given for Income Generating Groups which will facilitate ABS mechanism. It should

attempt linkages through appropriate mechanism such as management plans of BMCs, local user group and

should work in tune with the available legal and policy mechanisms such as plant variety protection and

farmers' rights and geographical indications. It should be linked to development agenda of the panchayat and

focus on immediate benefits that can be shared with community.

Str ategies for Strengthening of BMC chalked out

Mainstreaming of BD issues-linking PBR to planning process of Local bodies is an important

prerequisite to strengthening the institutional capacity of BMC and for good local governance. Each

BMC shall prepare an Action Plan, drawing information validated in the People's Biodiversity Register

with the guidance of TSG. Promotion of good governance at local level through BMC for a) Sustainable

use of bioresources b) Community - based conservation Initiatives, c) Starting at the local level, learning

from experience and then scaling-up is significant. Strengthening of BMC can be done by linking biodiversity conservation with locally relevant project utilizing biodiversity funds. Micro plan for the

sustainable utilisation of local biodiversity including medicinal plants and associated TK are to be

developed. The issues related to collection fee, benefit sharing and management of heritage sites, sacred

groves, water bodies etc.,to be done in consultation with the technical support of the SBB. Development

of a community level micro plan and district level macro plan of conservation management is necessary.

Panchayat may prepare a community level micro plan of conservation management for the area linking

conservation and sustainable resource use so as to provide an incentive for local user groups to conserve

biodiversity sustainably. BMC/ LSG's to be entrusted with the task of ensuring public participation fromdifferent user groups at all levels of planning, implementation and monitoring phase of the project.

Community-led conservation at panchayat level should be integrated to develop a master plan for district

by linking together the respective BMC's. Development of a district wise management and

implementation strategy incorporating issues, solutions, activities, resources, responsibilities and time

frame to implement conservation programmes is necessary at a larger perspective.

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Issues of IPR, TK and Development & ABS in PBR

PBR should address concerns regarding: protection of TK and resource use as well as management, ensure proper

acknowledgement of use and sustainable harvesting practices. Relevant formats for bioresources and TK to be

incorporated in PBR.

Verify with BMC the information they would like to share for PBR and inform local communities the threats envisaged

with the documentation and possible protection mechanism. Make free prior informed consent of local communities

mandatory for PBR accessAppoint a technical group to scrutinize the confidential components in PBR document and evolve guidelines to protect

knowledge & information locally, nationally and internationally. Questions of ownership of biodiversity and related

legal entitlements for determining access to its components and determines benefit sharing terms are to be worked out.

Explore copy right and sui generis related issues to protect IPR over crop germplasm and Incorporate TK of user groups,

traditional healers into PBR and develop appropriate knowledge exchange programmes. Include Bio-cultural protocol

needs as an integral part of PBR documentation.

Protection of PBR data and informat ion

Networking efforts

Need for CEPA (Communication, Education and Public Awareness)

Strengthening and suppor ting community agro-biodiversity management efforts

BMC shall ensure the protection of the knowledge recorded in the People's Biodiversity Register principally in the

matters of regulation of access to agencies and individuals outside the village limits. Access to registers need to be

recorded in writing and maintained in consultation with SBB/ Technical Support group and Locking away' data and

information should be avoided . Efforts to be made by NBA and SBBs in identifying suitable ways and means to

maintain the confidentiality of information and data contained in a PBR. Providing parts of information of a PBR on-line

that has limited opportunities to be misappropriated should be explored. Such protection can be through encryption,

controlled access, non-provision of information/date on-line and the others.

A peer-to-peer learning and experience sharing network relevant to PBR process should be established among the SBBsthemselves with co ordination by NBA to facilitate functioning of this network. Capacities of SBBs and BMCs should

be augmented based on consideration of good practice and models.

An important milestone in the Biodiversity movement of the Country is the inscription of Western Ghats as a World

Heritage Site (Natural Heritage). However, the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee on Western Ghats have been

objected to by a majority of elected representatives. In this scenario, there is an urgent need to have CEPA

(Communication, Education and Public Awareness) on Biodiversity as envisaged in Target 1 of the CBD Strategic Plan

for Biodiversity 2011-2020 which calls for people to be aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to

conserve and use it sustainably. This is also reflected in India's National Biodiversity Action Plan (2008) that includes

the need to “increase public education, awareness and participation in decision making, management and sustainable

use of biological resources. In order to follow up the gains of the CoP11 and linked to the National Biodiversity

Museum, it is proposed to have a national level Museum on Western Ghats Biodiversity Heritage (MWGBDH) to be

located in Kerala in which the Kerala State Biodiversity Board may take a lead. The museums would include in their

education and exhibition programmes contents that enables visitors to improve their awareness of biodiversity and will

sensitize local people about biodiversity and the need for conserving.

The community management efforts of Genetic resources encompassing wild and domesticated diversity need to be

seen as a continuum spread across the dimensions of conservation, cultivation, consumption, and commerce.

Continuous involvement of local men and women across the continuum is of utmost importance for ensuring

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sustainability of efforts. Strengthening and supporting such community agro-biodiversity management efforts across

India is essential. To achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets 12, 13, 14 and 15, crops and other major socio-economically

valuable plant species such as medicinal plants and wild food plants are to be conserved and managed in-situ and on farm

methods and combined efforts taken in the management of community-conserved agricultural landscapes and

biodiversity.

Revival of traditional land use practices

Food Security & Nutr itional secur ity enhancement

Institut ional Mechanisms To Addr ess Pesticides Safety In India

Ensur ing pesticide safety for high value chains

Farmers have, depended on their own seeds for raising a new crop and they relied on traditional knowledge for control of

pests and to improve the soil health for generations. Traditional land use practices have been proved to be ecologically

sustainable and should be promoted is one of the salient recommendations of NBC 2012.

Revitalization efforts regarding the dietary and food biodiversity including the use of neglected species, underutilized

crops and traditional varieties and breeds are important for food security. In the traditional food consumption pattern, the

intake of micro-nutrients is often ensured because of the use of a wide range of plants and animals obtained from the local

environment. The potential for hill area agriculture to go for eco-agriculture was explored since such regions are

conducive to maintaining the ecosystem services provided by agricultural landscapes without reducing productivity.

These practices increase habitat value by restoring wild vegetation, while at the same time contributing for carbon

sequestration.

From the chemical input-intensive yield-enhancement practices of the Green Revolution era, agricultural research is

being shifted to establishing the notion of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in fruits and vegetable sector, due to global

consumer demand for safe food. The dominant problems affecting fruits and vegetables in terms of safety have been

identified as pesticide residues. Food quality and safety decline resulting from inappropriate chemicals and pesticide

use during crop production is pinpointed as one of the root causes of the health issues. A proper institutional mechanism

is needed for improving environmental and economic performance of vegetable production in India.

The pesticide translocation effects nearby plots, water resources or soil and drive pests to fields of other

farmers, or cause the pests to develop localized resistance to pesticides. Similarly, if farmers use pesticides that

destroy target pests but also their natural enemies, then neighbouring farmers who introduce or encourage the

presence of predators may find the predator populations below viable size. Thus translocation effect of

pesticides from non-organic farms could damage the positive effects by organic farming and secondarily, there

is the issue of non-uniformity in package of practices between organic farms leading to invariability in

management across farms and the following key safety measures are proposed.

Characterisation of public and private pesticides safety requirements of vegetables in national and international

high value chains.

Assessing the economic impact of pesticides safety standards of vegetables on small holders in India.

Estimating the impact of Indian vegetable producing small holders' collective action on institutional and

economic performance linked to pesticides safety.

Comparing the pesticides safety performance among organic/GAP certified and noncertified vegetable

growers of India are some of the measures suggested.

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Gener ation of awareness of ABS at all levels

Pr ior informed consent for documentat ion of Traditional Knowledge

Pr otection Of Traditional Var ieties And Traditional Knowledge

Call for conservation of native breeds of cattle of Kerala

The 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity aimed at ensuring that nations must be compensated fair share from their

Bio-resources and traditional knowledge in response to their efforts in safeguarding and allowing access to these

resources. There is a need to generate awareness of ABS at all levels so as to develop and execute effective ABS regimesin the state. This will strengthen the implementation of Biological Diversity Act and Rules framed for the purpose and

evolve practices which will help in sustainable management of bio-resources.

TK is a community based functional knowledge system developed, preserved and refined by generations of people

through continuous interactions, observations and experimentation with the surrounding environment. It is a dynamic

system ever changing, adapting and adjusting to the local and religious practices of communities. The Nagoya Protocol

addresses TK associated with genetic resources with provisions on access, benefit sharing and compliance. NBC 2012

stressed the need of capacity building programme to support key aspects of implementation with a view to develop ABS

legislation, awareness raising, technology transfer and targeted financial support. The need for systematic

documentation of TK using prior informed consent, legal protection of TK, scientific validation, database inventory

(defensive protection), exclusive rights of the beneficiaries, complementary protective measures and protection by

signing contractual agreement with knowledge holders/providers and future strategies and action plan to be

implemented through the people's management of biodiversity are imperative for Proper implementation of Access and

Benefit sharing mechanism

Traditional varieties and the related indigenous knowledge nurtured by farmers are the key components of agro- biodiversity. India has implemented legal mechanisms to protect the rights of the farmers over traditional crop varieties,

biological diversity and traditional goods. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV & FR) Act, 2001

ensures Breeders' Rights, Farmers' Rights and Researchers' Rights over crop varieties. Farmers and farming

communities can protect and register traditional varieties evolved and cultivated by them in like manner as a breeder of a

variety. They can also register new varieties developed by them. There is a need to generate awareness of IPR acts at all

levels so as to effectively implement ABS regimes. This will strengthen implementation of Biological diversity act and

evolve practises for sustainable management of bio resources. The implementation of these two complementary acts

would provide the farmers a right to get adequate compensation from those who develop new varieties using the

traditional ones.

The indigenous cattle breed of Kerala, Vechur has gained wide public attention since the breed is facing the line of

extinction as per the list of FAO. Massive cross breeding programme introduced by the government agencies as per the

livestock act have suppressed the survival of the native breeds especially vechur cow irrespective of its good qualities

for domestication. The extreme small size, less fodder intake, easy domestication, maximum milk production compared

with the body mass and high disease resistance are the beneficial features of vechur cows. The conservation of the

vechur breed as an indigenous wealth of Kerala and the utilitisation of a potential gene of vechur cow milk for exploiting

its therapeutic properties in biotech industry is recommended.

Traditional Knowledge and ABS mechanism

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Call for a ban on using animals covered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act for d issections and incorpor ation of

change in nomenclature in Wild Life (Protection) Act

Development of Light pollut ion policies

Coastal eco development committees

Amphibians, which survived all the four mass extinctions since their origin have been projected to be facing extinction

at the global scale, due to man-made causes. Many species of amphibians have been declared in the Wildlife

(Protection) Act 1972 as protected, and included in the different Schedules reflecting different levels of threat. Frogs

belonging to the genus Rana are included in Schedule IV, which means that these frogs shall not be removed from the

natural habitats without permission from Competent Authorities. But, use of frogs as tools to understand basic concepts

in Biology and Pharmacology has been going unabated, in spite of the warnings from MoEF and UGC. There is an

urgent need to sensitize these teachers against this practice and thus help conservation of the frog species, by

approaching the issue from curricular, pedagogical, ecological, legal and ethical perspectives, and encourage use of

digital / simulation alternatives for the understanding of the respective academics. UGC, in the recent Guidelines to

phase out animal dissections from Zoology / Life Science curriculum, has put a blanket ban on using animals covered

under the Wild Life (Protection) Act for dissections and experiments by the intervention of MGDC in Bharatidasan

University, Thiruchirapally as it has developed technology for this. Thus, frogs under the genus Rana, already

threatened and included in the IUCN Red List, can not at all be used in dissections and experiments unless with permission from Competent Authorities When freshwater frogs were brought under the purview of Wildlife

(Protection) Act, many species have been removed from fam: Ranidae and so their names are different now- for

example Rana hexadactyla , the green frog- the staple recipe and the most preferred model animal for dissections and

experiments, is now Euphlyctis hexadactylu; It is important that these changes in the nomenclature and taxonomic

status of these important frog species are adopted in the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the Guidelines / circulars that are

brought up from time to time.

There is an urgent need for light pollution policies that go beyond energy efficiency to include human well being and the

structure and functions of ecosystems. Knowledge is needed on suitable sustainable lighting technologies which are

ecologically, economically and socially sustainable.

Beach erosion caused by sand mining and coastal afforestation has been identified as major threats to marine turtle

nesting sites in Kerala. It is recommended that building awareness on marine turtle conservation, enforcing regulations

against illegal sale and consumption of turtle meat and eggs, initiate coastal eco development committees, shoreline

protection using geo textiles, curbing pollution, better vigilance for beach sand mining and illegal trawling is needed to

conserve marine biodiversity. KSBB is also planning to declare the turtle nesting ground at Padanakadu as a community

reserve and fund the turtle conservation programme. Further KSBB intends to produce a PBR for some of the Kerala

Coast, the first of its kind in marine biodiversity inventory.

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