temp Flashcards
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): objectives and protocols? funding? key guidelines for CBD parties?
It is a legally binding treaty adopted at rio summit with three basic goals:
- conservation of BD
- sustainable use of BD , and
- fair and quitable sharing of benefits arising from use of genetic resources.
- Protect biodiversity———->COP meetings, Aichi Targets.
- Safe use of bio-technology———–> Cartagena Biosafety Protocol
- Stop unfair use of Genetic resources————–> Nagoya Genetic Resources Protocol
Funding comes through an organization named as Global Environment Facility (GEF). GEF gets money from world bank, UN, various (rich) nations and trust organization, companies etc. GEF gives that money to finance many environment related activies including CBD and UNFCCC
- CBD acknowledges sovereign rights of states over their own biological resources bt also says that BD is a common concern of humankind.
- Parties of CBD are required to create National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP)
- talks abt in-situ and ex-situ methods
- recognize vital role of women and NGOs in protecting biodiversity.
- talks abt funding and tech support frm developed countries to lower income countries, especially LDCs, small island states and developing countries with arid and semi-arid zones, coastal and mountainous zones.
- covrs BD at all levels- ecosystems, species and genetic resources. also covers Biotech
- It is based upon ecosystem approach
- Convention is based upon precautionary approach i.e. where there is a threat of significant reduction or loss of BD, lack of full scientific certainty shud nt be used as a reason fr postponing corrective measures
Cartagena protocol?
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- concerns the movement of LMOs (living modified organisms) resulting from modern technology from one nation to another.
- LMOs are defined under the protocol as living organisms that have a novel combination of genetic material secured from the use of modern technology.
- adopted in 2000 and it came into force in 2003. The protocol was adopted in Montreal in 2000 but is named after Cartagena, the original city in Colombia where the protocol was supposed to be adopted.
- Protocol has provisions for an Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) procedure.
- The AIA is for ensuring that countries are given enough information to make informed decisions before agreeing to import LMOs into their country.
- There are four components to the AIA:
- Notification by the exporter (This is a detailed written description of the LMO by the exporter, well in advance of the first shipment)
- Acknowledgement of notification receipt by the importer
- Decision procedure (Approve/prohibit/ask for more information, etc.)
- Review of decisions
- Cartagena Protocol also sets up a Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) to enable information exchange on LMOs between countries.
- India is a party to the Cartagena Protocol (ratified in 2003). The nodal agency is MoEFCC
- LMOs are classified as the following under the Protocol:
- LMOs for intentional introduction into the environment – subject to AIA procedures.
- LMOs for direct usage as food or feed, or for processing – subject to simplified procedures which includes informing through the BCH.
- LMOs for contained usage (like bacteria for lab experiments) – these are exempt from AIA procedures.
- does not cover pharmaceuticals for humans addressed by other international agreements and organisations or products derived from LMOs, such as cooking oil from GM corn.
- The protocol is legally binding
- GM Food crops are within the scope of Cartagena protocol only if they are capable of transferring or replicating genetic material
- Protocol follows the precautionary approach
Nagoya protocol?
- Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS)
- covers genetic resources as well as Traditional knowledge
- adopted in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan. Aichi targets were adopted at the same COP.
- It is legally binding
- protocol will help both the users and the owners of genetic resources by creating better legal certainty and transparency in the following ways:
- It sets more predictable conditions for access to genetic resources.
- It helps in having a better benefit-sharing experience when the genetic resources travel outside the country of origin.
Aichi Biodiversity targets?
adopted at COP-10 of CBD at Nagoya, Japan in 2010
5 strategic goals and 20 targets
goals:
- address the underlying causes of BD loss by mainstreaming BD across govt and society
- Reduce direct pressure on BD and promote sustainable use
- improve BD by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity
- enhance benefits to all frm BD and ecosystem services
- Enhance implementation thru participatory planning, knowledge mgmt and capacity building
Aichi Biodiversity targets: targets under Goal 1?
- making people aware
- integration into national planning and accounting and poverty reduction strategies
- incentives including subsidies, harmful to BD, be eliminated
Aichi Biodiversity targets: targets under Goal 2?
- rate of loss of all natural habitats, incl forests is halved and close to zero wherever possible
- ecosystem based approach to all aquatic stocks
- sustainable mgmt of areas under agri, aquaculture and forestry
- pollution, incl frm excess nutrients are brought to non-harmful levels
- invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritised to be managed
- anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs and other vulnerable ecosystems
Aichi Biodiversity targets: targets under Goal 3?
- By 2020, at least 17% of terresterial and inland water and 10% of coastal and marine areas are conserved
- extinction of known threatened species be prevented by 2020 and conservation status improved
- genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives be maintained
Aichi Biodiversity targets: targets under Goal 4?
- ecosystems that provide essential services like water, health, livelihoods etc. are restored and safeguarded
- increase ecosystem resilience and contri of BD to carbon stocks including restoration of at least 15% of degraded ecosystems
- operationalise Nagoya protocol of equitable distribution of benefits
Aichi Biodiversity targets: targets under Goal 5?
- by 2020 each party has developed, adopted as a policy instrument and started implementing National BD strategy and action plan
- increase financial mobilisation for implementing the Strategic Plan for BD 2011-20
CITES Appendices?
- Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
- Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. It also includes so-called “look-alike species”, i.e. species whose specimens in trade look like those of species listed for conservation reasons. International trade in specimens of Appendix-II species may be authorized by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate.
- Appendix III is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation International trade in specimens of species listed in this Appendix is allowed only on presentation of the appropriate permits or certificates.
CITES ?
was drafted as a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of IUCN. signed on March 3, 1973 (Hence world wildlife day is celebrated on march 3).
It is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Secretariat— Geneva (Switzerland).
CITES is legally binding on state parties to the convention, which are obliged to adopt their own domestic legislation to implement its goals. Some states and regional economic integratin organisations adhere to it voluntarily.
CITES — Washington Convention?
India has submitted proposals regarding changes to the listing of various wildlife species in the CITES
- the smooth-coated otter,
- small-clawed otter,
- Indian star tortoise,
- Tokay gecko,
- wedgefish and
- Indian rosewood.
The country seeks to boost the protection of all the five animal species as they are facing a high risk of international trade.
World Heritage convention: about?
- created in 1972
- goal: identify and protect world’s natural and cultural heritage considered to be of ‘outstanding universal value’
- Embodies a visionary idea- that some places are so important that their protection is not only the responsibility of the international community as a whole but also of present nd future generation
- The World Heritage Sites list is maintained by the international World Heritage Program administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 “states parties” that are elected by their General Assembly
- As of July 2021, a total of 1,154 World Heritage Sites (897 cultural, 218 natural, and 39 mixed properties) exist across 167 countries.
- With 58 selected areas, Italy is the country with the most sites on the list
- India acceded in 1977. India has 6th highest no. of WHS @ 40, as of July 2021.
World Heritage convention: criteria for selection of natural and cultural sites?
- Criteria for selection of natural sites
- Superlative natural phenomena, or
- Areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetics
- Outstanding examples representing major stages of earth history including the record of life, significant ongoing geological processes in the development of landforms of significant geomorphic or physiographic features
- Represent significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of of ecosystems and communities of plant and animals
- Contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity
- criteria for selection of cultural sites
- masterpiece of human creative genius
- exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world
- To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
- outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
- be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
- To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
World heritage in danger?
- A site may be added to the List of World Heritage in Danger if conditions threaten the characteristics for which the landmark or area was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
- Such problems may involve armed conflict and war, natural disasters, pollution, poaching, or uncontrolled urbanisation or human development.
- This danger list is intended to increase international awareness of the threats and to encourage counteractive measures.
- Threats to a site can be either proven imminent threats or potential dangers that could have adverse effects on a site
- The state of conservation for each site on the danger list is reviewed yearly; after this, the Committee may request additional measures, delete the property from the list if the threats have ceased or consider deletion from both the List of World Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List
- Only three sites have ever been delisted from both the lists:
- the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman,
- the Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany, and
- the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City in the United Kingdom
- Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was listed in UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992, but was removed in 2011 following significant improvements. Hampi was added to the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger in 1999, but got removed in 2006 following successful conservation efforts.
World heritage convention: criticism?
The first global assessment to quantitatively measure threats to Natural World Heritage Sites found that 63 per cent of sites have been damaged by increasing human pressures including encroaching roads, agriculture infrastructure and settlements over the last two decades
Of the Natural World Heritage Sites that contain forest, 91 per cent experienced some loss since 2000. Many of them are more threatened than previously thought and require immediate conservation action
perceived under-representation of heritage sites outside Europe, disputed decisions on site selection and adverse impact of mass tourism on sites unable to manage rapid growth in visitor numbers
A large lobbying industry has grown around the awards, because World Heritage listing can significantly increase tourism returns. Site listing bids are often lengthy and costly, putting poorer countries at a disadvantage.
Eritrea’s efforts to promote Asmara are one example. Further, In 2021, international scientists recommended UNESCO to put the Great Barrier Reef on the endangered list. the Australian government campaigned against this, and in July 2021, the World Heritage Committee, made up diplomatic representatives of 21 countries, ignored UNESCO’s assessment, based on studies of scientists
World heritage sites in India: overaview?
India has 6th highest no. of WHS @ 40, as of July 2021. Out of these, 32 are cultural, 7 are natural, and 1 is mixed (meeting both cultural and natural criteria)
The first sites to be inscripted were Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal, of which all were inscribed in the 1983 session
The latest site to be inscribed is Dholavira, Gujarat in 2021
World heritage sites in India: cultural sites?
- Ajanta caves; Ellora caves; Agra fort; Taj Mahal (1983)
- Konark Sun Temple; Mahabalipuram Grp of monuments (1984)
- Churches and Convents of Goa; Khajuraho grp of monuments; Hampi grp of monuments (was added bt later removed from WHS in danger list); Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
- Grp of monuments at Pattadakal; Elephanta caves; Chola temples (Brihadeshwar temple at Gabgaikondacholapuram, Airavateshwar temple at Darasuram and Brihadeshwram temple at Thanjavur) (1987)
- Buddhist monuments at Sanchi (1989)
- Humayun’s tomb, Delhi; Qutb Minar at its monuments (2003)
- Mountain rlys of India:Darjeeling , Nilgiri rly at Ooty , Kalka-Shimla rly in HP
- Mahabodhi Temple complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
- rock shelters at Bhimbetka (2003)
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (2004)
- Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
- Red fort complex (2007)
- Janta Mantar Jaipur (2010)
- Hill forts of RJ (Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Amber forts, Jaisalmer, gagron) (2013)
- Rani ki Vav (2014)
- Archaeological site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar; architectural work of Le Corbusier (2016)
- The Victorian and Art deco ensemble of Mumbai (2018)
- Jaipur (2019)
- Kakatiya Rudreswara (Ramappa) temple in telangana (2021)
- dholavira, GJ (2021)
World heritage sites in India: natural sites?
Kaziranga NP; Manas WLS (added to WHS in danger list in 1992 but removed from WHS in danger list in 2011); Keoladeo NP (1985)
Sunderbans NP (1987)
Nanda Devi BR (nanda devi and Valley of FLowers NPs) (2005)
Western ghats (2012)
Great Himalayan NP (2014)
World Heritage sites: mixed site?
Khangchendzonga NP
Convention on conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS)?
- aka Bonn convention
- under the aegis of UNEP
- Name to conserve migratory species throughout their range
- Adopted in 1979 and came into force in 1983
- It is the only Global convention specialising in the conservation of migratory species their habitat and migration route
- It lays the legal foundation for international coordinated conservation measures throughout the migratory range across the range states
- Some species covered by CMS: cheetah, common eel, river eel, blue whale, common dolphin, salt water crocodile, estuarine crocodile, Indian Gharial, Amur falcon etc.
- has two Appendices:
- Appendix I:
- contains endangered (facing a very high risk of extinction In The Wild in the near future) migratory species
- Migratory species threatened with extinction throughout or in a significant portion of their range
- Strictly protecting these animal, conserving and restoring their habitats and mitigating obstacles to migration
- Appendix II:
- Contains migratory species conserved through agreements
- The convention encourages the range states to conclude Global or regional agreements. In this respect, CMS acts as a framework agreement.
- Appendix I:
- India is a signatory since 1983. It was the first asian country to do so.
CMS-CoP 13?
hosted by India.
Mascot: Great Indian bustard
Gandhinagar declaration
- Conservation and sustainable management of migratory species and their habitats based upon the concept of ecological connectivity
- The progress in achieving conservation of migratory species should be measured using any species index such as living planet index, red list index and wild bird index as a potential indicator
7 new species added to cms appendix I:
- Asian elephant
- Jaguar
- Great Indian Bustard
- Little Bustard
- Bengal florican
- Antipodean Albatross
- Oceanic whitetip shark
3 new species added to cms appendix II:
- Urial ship
- Smooth Hammerhead shark
- Tope shark
New concerted actions with target based conservation plans have been agreed for another 14 species including South Asian river dolphin and irrawaddy dolphin
Living planet index?
- The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) manages the index in cooperation with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). published in WWF’s Living planet report
- Measure of teeth of world’s biological diversity based on Population trends of vertebrate species
- Adopted by CBD as an indicator of progress towards its 2020 Aichi target
Red list Index?
Developed by IUCN to show trend in overall extinction risk for species
It is used by government to track their progress in achieving target that reduce biodiversity loss
Wild bird index?
By birdlife international and UNEP-WCMC
It measures average Population trends of a suite of representatives wild birds
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)?
- It is an international NGO
- Founded in 1961
- Headquarter — Gland (Switzerland).
- Aim : wilderness preservation & the reduction of human impact on the environment
- It is the world’s largest conservation organization
Objectives:
- Conserving the world’s biological diversity
- Ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
- Promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption
Reports & programmes:
- Living Planet Report— published every two years by WWF since 1998; it is based on a Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculation
- Earth hour
- Debt-for-nature swaps–financial transactions in which a portion of a developing nation’s foreign debt is forgiven in exchange for local investments in environmental conservation measures.
- Marine Stewardship Council(MSC) — independent non-profit organization which sets a standard for sustainable fishing
- Healthy GrownPotato — eco-brand that provides high-quality, sustainably grown, packaged, and shipped potatoes to consumers by leveraging integrated pest management(IPM) farming practices on large scale farms
IUCN?
- IUCN is a membership union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations.
- Created in 1948, it is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
- It is headquartered in Switzerland.
- The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
- It is recognized as the most authoritative guide to the status of biological diversity.
- It is also a key indicator for the SDGs and Aichi Targets.
IUCN Red list 2019 update: overall findings?
- The list assessed 1,05,732 species - the largest such assessment of species, out of which 28,338 species are threatened with extinction.
- The updated list brings out an alarming rate of decline of freshwater and deep sea species. For example, over 50 % of Japan’s endemic freshwater fishes are under the threat of extinction.
- Wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes, collectively known as Rhino Rays because of their elongated snouts, have been listed as the ‘most imperilled marine fish families in the world’.
- The main drivers of this decline are the loss of free flowing rivers and increasing agricultural and urban pollution.
- Close to 50% of the species assessed by IUCN have been put under the ‘Least Concern’ category. It means the rest 50% are under various degrees of decline.
- Of the total assessed, 873 are already extinct while 6,127 are critically endangered.
- nearly ⅓rd of all species assessed are under threat of extinction due to human pressure
- not a single species was recorded to have improved in status
- some notable additions:
- bioluminiscent lantern fishes: facing threat from deep fishing, oil and gas drilling and seabed mining
- scaly foott snail is the first mollusc that lives on deep sea hydrothermal vents to be added to the Red list and assessed as endangered
UN-IPBES report on species extinction?
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body, established by member States in 2012.
Objective of IPBES: Strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
Findings:
- up to 1 million of the estimated 8 million plant and animal species on Earth are at risk of extinction within decades.
- 5 L plants and animal currently have ‘insufficient habitat for long term survival’
- 40% of amphibian species are threatened with extinction, along with 33% of reef forming corals and 33% of marine mammals
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Loss of pollinators: Up to $577 billion in annual global crops are at risk from pollinator loss. Insect pollinators are unfortunately an excellent example of the problems caused by human activities.”There’s a newly coined phrase for insect declines — the ‘windshield effect’.
- the windscreen phenomenon is a term given to the anecdotal observation that people tend to find fewer insects smashed on the windscreens of their cars now compared to a decade or several decades ago. This effect has been ascribed to major global declines in insect abundance.
- The report identified a range of risks, from the disappearance of insects vital for pollinating food crops, to the destruction of coral reefs that support fish populations that sustain coastal communities, or the loss of medicinal plants.
- 75% of the land environment and 66% of the marine environment impacted due to anthropogenic activities.
- Unregulated Consumption
- ⅓rd of all land is used to make food; food cultivation uses 75% of all fresh water on earth
- 25% of all man made emission comes from agri, mostly from meat production
- 50% of all new land for agri is taken from forests
- 93% of marine fish stocks are either over-fished or fished to the limit of sustainability
- Decline of native species in most major land-based habitats by at least 20%, mostly since 1900.
- Climate risk
- business as usual is predicted to warm earth by 4.3deg C, thta will wipe out 1/6th of all species
- Even if Paris targets NDCs are achieved, a 2 Deg C rise in temp will wipe out 5% of earth species.
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Pollution and waste
- Plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980.
- 300-400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge and other industrial waste are dumped into the world’s water systems.
IUCN: categories?
- Not evaluated
- Data Defecient
- Least concern
- Near threatened: when a species is close to becoming threatened or may meet the criteria for threatened status in the near future
- Vulnerable
- pop size reduction is ≥ 50% over last 10 yrs or 3 gen, whichever is longer; or
- pop size is estimated to number fewer than 1000 mature individuals
- Endangered
- pop size reduction is ≥ 70% over last 10 yrs or 3 gen, whichever is longer; or
- pop size is estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals
- Critically endangered
- pop size reduction is ≥ 90% over last 10 yrs or 3 gen, whichever is longer; or
- pop size is estimated to number fewer than 50 mature individuals
- Extinct in the wild
- Extinct
IUCN: criteria for classification in red list?
- rate of pop decline
- geog range
- whether species already possesses a small pop size
- when the species is very small or lives in a very restricted area
- whether the results of a quantitaive analysis indicate a high probability of extinction in the wild
T/F: World Bank Group performance standard uses the IUCN Red List data to evaluate the risk of damage to biodiversity due to large-scale infrastructures and global projects.
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IUCN 2021: Critically Endangered Mammals in India? (only names here; learn in detail abt them in f/c species)
- Pygmy Hog
- Andaman White-toothed Shrew
- Jenkin’s Andaman Spiny Shrew
- Nicobar White-tailed Shrew
- Kondana Rat
- Large Rock Rat or Elvira Rat
- Namdapha Flying Squirrel
- Malabar Civet
- Sumatran Rhinoceros
- Javan Rhinoceros
IUCN 2021: Critically Endangered Birds in India?
- Aythya Baeri
- Forest Owlet
- Great Indian Bustard
- Bengal Florican
- Siberian Crane
- Spoon-billed Sandpiper
- Sociable Lapwing
- Jerdon’s Courser
- White-backed Vulture
- Red-headed Vulture
- White-bellied Heron
- Slender-billed Vulture
- Indian Vulture
- Pink-headed Duck
- Himalayan Quail
IUCN 2021: Critically Endangered Reptiles in India?
- Gharial
- Hawksbill Turtle
- River Terrapin
- Bengal Roof Turtle
- Sispara day gecko
IUCN 2021: Critically Endangered Fishes in India?
- Pondicherry Shark
- Ganges Shark
- Knife-tooth Sawfish
- Large-tooth Sawfish
- Narrow-snout Sawfish
SAWEN?
South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network
- It is a Regional network comprised of eight countries in South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- It aims at working as a strong regional inter-governmental body for combating wildlife crime by attempting common goals and approaches for combating illegal trade in the region.
- supports work of SAARC for wildlife conservation
- launched in 2012 at Paro (Bhutan)
INternational Whaling commission (IWC)?
It is an international body set up under International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), signed in 1946
Functions: ICRW governs the commercial, scientific, and aboriginal subsistence whaling practices of fifty-nine member nations. It has 89 member countries. India has been a member since 1981
In 1986, it adopted a moratorium on commercial whaling. This ban still continues.
In 1994, it created the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary surrounding the continent of Antarctica. Here, the IWC has banned all types of commercial whaling.
Only two such sanctuaries have been designated by IWC till date. Another is Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary by the tiny island nation of the Seychelles.
UNEP-WCMC?
is a collab betn UNEP and UK-based charity World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) that supports international BD conservation measures by compiling, storing and analysing BD data.
It supports the following databases:
- World database on Protected areas
- UNEP-WCMC species database on organisms of conservation importance
- CITES databse of trade in protected species
International Consortium on combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC)?
is the collaborative effort of five inter-governmental organizations: CITES, INTERPOL, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), WB and World Custom Organisation
T/F:
- In Marine environments, species richness decreases from the equator towards the poles.
- Primary productivity of oceans decreases from the equator towards the pole
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- F
Biodiversity hotspot?
Concept of first given by Norman Myers in 1988. Adopted by conservation International in 1989.
A region is classified as a biodiversity hotspot if it meet under mention two criteria:
- It must have at least 1500 vascular plants (> 0.5% of world’s total) as endemics
- It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation or it must be threatened
There are 36 biodiversity hotspots of the world
The represent just 2.4% of the earth’s land surface but support nearly 43% endemic species of birds mammals reptiles and amphibians song
Biodiversity hotspots in India?
- The entire Himalayan region
- indo-burma: include the entire North East India except Assam and Andaman group of island
- Sundaland: Nicobar grp of islands
- Western Ghats
Megadiverse country?
Concept was given by conservation International in 1998
Conditions:
- Have at least 5,000 of world’s plants as endemics
- Have Marine ecosystems within border
There are 17 megadiverse countries which account for at least two-thirds of all all all non fish vertebrate species and three-fourths of all higher plant species.
USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil; Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Madagascar; India, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea; Australia
Birdlife International?
- It is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources
- It is world’s largest conservation partnerships for conservation of birds and their habitats.
- It was earlier known as International Committee for Bird Preservation.
- Its global office is in UK with 6 regional offices – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Central Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.
- It publishes a quarterly magazine, World Birdwatch, which contains recent news and authoritative articles about birds, their habitats, and their conservation around the world.
- It is the official Red List authority for birds, for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
- It also published important bird areas (IBA) inventory.
- Since 1970s Birdlife International has been working to identify, document and protect all places on earth of greatest significance for conservation of world’s birds. As a result, over 12000 Important Bird and Biodiversity areas (IBAs) have been identified.
Conservation International?
Conservation International (CI) is an American nonprofit environmental organization
adopted the concept of Biodiversity Horspots, given by Norman Myers
TRAFFIC? ongoing projects of TRAFFIC?
a NGO working in conservation and currently in partnership with WWF and IUCN
publishes report on illegal global trade in tigers
Some ongoing projects of TRAFFIC:
- Wildlife Trafficking response, Assessment and Priority settling (Wildlife-TRAPS): protect BD from illegal wildlife trade through cooperation of govts and NGOs in tackling wildlife trafficking betn Africa and Asia
- FairWild Foundation: for promoting ethical and sustainable use of wild collected plant ingredient in trade. helps guide businesses throughout wild plant supply chain.
- Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS): This is CITESmandated tool that tracks illegal trade in elephant ivory and other elephant products. It is managed and operated by TRAFFIC on behalf of CITES parties. Objectives for ETIS are common to another CITES program, Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE), which tracks poaching of elephants in the wild through a site based system encompassing Africa and Asia
BD in India: facts and figures?
- one of 17 mega-diverse countries
- 2.4% land area but 7-8% of world’s recorded species
- home to nearly 92000 fauna species and 47000 flora species
- Two biogeographical realm
- Palearctic realm: himalayan region
- Malayan realm: rest of country
- Ten Biogeographic zones- as given by Wildlife institute of India
- Trans Himalayan zone
- Himalayan zone
- desert zone
- semi-arid zone
- WG zone
- Decca plateau zone
- Gangetic plain zone
- NE zone
- coastal zone
- islands
- four BD hotspots
BD conservation in India: headings and sub-headings?
- National Legislations
- WPA 1972
- BDA 2002
- PAN
- WLS
- NP
- Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves
- Marine PAs
- BD conservation sites other than PAN
- BR
- Tiger Reserves
- Elephant Reserves
- WHS-Natural and BD
- Important coastal and Marine BD areas (ICMBAs)
- Important Bird areas (IBAs)
- Key BD Areas (KBAs)
- Eco-sensitive zone
- policies/programs/projects
- NWAP 2017-2031
- National Action Plan for COnservation for conservation of Migratory Birds (2018-23)
- Integrated development of Wildlife Habitat (IDWH)
- Species recovery program
- GoI-UNDP Sea Turtle Project
- international cooperation
- CITES
- WHS
- CMS
- IWS
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972?
- extends to whole of India
- protection of wildlife
- authorities established (next f/c)
- prohibition and regulation of hunting of wild animals
- establishment of PAs
- mgmt of zoos
- regulation and control of trade in wildlife articles
- schedules of Act
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972: authorities established?
- Wildlife advisory board:
- chief wildlife warden:
- central zoo authority:
- National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
- Conservation reserve mgmt committee
- community reserve mgmt committee
- Wildlife crime control bureau (WCCB)
- NTCA: created by 2006 amendment (f/c #352)
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972: schedules?
- Schedule I and II: absolute protection and offences warrant highest penalties
- eg of schd I: lion tailed macaque, rhino, GIB, blackbuck, narcondam hornbill
- eg. of schd II: rhesus macaque,dhole, king cobra, flying squirrel
- Schedule III and IV: also protected but lower penalties
- eg. of schd III: hyena, nilgai, barking deer
- eg. of schd IV: mangooses, vultures
- Schedule V: animals which may be hunted- vermin
- schedule VI: cultivation, collection, extraction, trade etc. of plants and its derivatives listed in this schedule are prohibited. eg. red vanda, blue vanda, pitcher plant, ladies slipper orchid
BD conservation in India: National legislations: Biological Diversity Act 2002 (BDA)?
- extends to whole of India
- obj
- conservation of BD
- sustainable use of BD
- fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of use of biologicla resources and knowledge
- ‘Biological resources’ mean plants, animals, and microorganisms or their genetic material but does not include human genetic material
- authorities established
- exemptions:
- The Act excludes Indian biological resources that are normally traded as commodities. Such exemption holds only so far the biological resources are used as commodities and for no other purpose.
- The act also excludes traditional uses of Indian biological resources and associated knowledge and when they are used in collaborative research projects between Indian and foreign institutions with the approval of the central government.
- Uses by cultivators and breeds, e.g. farmers, livestock keepers and bee keepers and traditional healers e.g.vaids and hakims are also exempted.
BD conservation in India: National legislations: Biological Diversity Act 2002 (BDA): authorities appointed?
- National Biodiversity Authority
- advises CG fro implementation of act
- advises SGs in selection of areas of BD importance as heritage sites
- it can also take measures to oppose grant of IPR in any other country of any biological resource of knowledge associated with such resource derived from India
- composition: A Chairperson; Three ex officio members, one representing the Ministry dealing with Tribal Affairs and two representing the Ministry dealing with Environment and Forests; seven ex-officio members and 5 non-official members
- State BD Board; advises SGs fro implementation of act
- There are no State Biodiversity Boards constituted for Union territories. NBA carries out the fns
- Biodiversity Management Committee
- every local body shall constitute one
- promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of BD diversity
- has to be consulted while taking any decisions relating to use of biological resources and knowledge of these resources
- composition: a chair person and not more than six persons nominated by the local body. Out of total members of a BMC, not less than one third should be women and not less than 18% should belong to the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes.
- main function of the BMC is to prepare People’s Biodiversity Register in consultation with the local people.
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972: authorities established: central zoo authority?
- created by CG by 1992 amendment
- to enforce min stds and norms for upkeep and healthcare of animals in zoos as well as prevent unplanned proliferation of zoos
- power to recognise and derecognise zoos
- identify endangered species of wild animals for purposes of captive breeding; manage the acquistion, exchange or loaning of animals for breeding purpose
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972: authorities established: chief wildlife warden?
can permit hunting of wild animals in certain cases
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972: authorities established: Wildlife Advisory Board?
- advises SGs in selection of areas as WLS, NPs
- advises in policy formulations in wildlife conservation along with tribal needs and harmonising them both
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972: authorities established: NBWL?
- created by CG via 2003 amendment
- chaired by PM
- to promote conservation and development of wildlife and forests
- advise CG and SGs in policy formulations for wildlife conservation
- recommendations for setting up and mgmt of PAs
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972: authorities established: WCCB?
- by 2006 amendment
- multi-disciplinary body estab under MoEFCC to combat organised wildlife crime
- collect and collate intelligence related to organised wildlife crime activities.
- establish a centralised wildlife crime data bank: It has developed an online Wildlife Crime databse Mgmt system for the purpose.
- implement obligations under various international conventions and protocols ratified by India
- advise govt in wildlife crime related issues
- WCCB was awarded in 2018 ‘the Asia Env Protection Award’ by UNEP
BD conservation in India: Protected Area Network (PAN): WLS?
- notified under WPA 1972
- by SGs
- no alteration of boundaries shall be made except on a resolution passed the State Legislature
- some restricted human act allowed inside as per permission of SG
- CHief Wildlife Warden to manage and maintain all sanctuaries
- >550 WLS in India covering 3.6% of India’s area
BD conservation in India: Protected Area Network (PAN): NPs?
- notified under WPA 1972
- by SGs, and also CGs under certain circumstances
- can be a part of a WLS
- no alteration of boundaries except on the resolution passed by SL
- no human activity is permitted inside NP except those permitted by SG under certain conditions given in WPA 1972
- Mgmt powers to Chief Wildlife warden. can even remove some wildlife if he thinks that will benfit overall wildlife in the park
- no pvt human activity like grazing by livestock is permitted
- >100 NP covering 1.2 % of India’s area
BD conservation in India: Protected Area Network (PAN): conservation and community reserves?
- act as buffer zones or migration corridors betn established WLS, NP etc.
- introduced in 2002 amendment to WPA 1972
- conservation reserves are uninhabitated and completely owned by GoI bt used for subsistence by local communities
- community reserves are uninhabitated but these are privately owned
BD conservation in India: Protected Area Network (PAN): Marine Protected areas (MPAs)?
essentially a WLS/NP space in the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than surrounding waters
notified under WPA 1972, by SG or CG
eg.
- Gulf of Mannar NP of TN
- Bhitarkanika NP
- Sunderbans NP
- Gulf of Katchh NP
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Biosphere Reserves (BRs)?
- National Biospher reserve Program started in India in 1986
- 18 in India, out of which 11 are recognised under WNBR by UNESCO
- Indian MAB Committee constituted by CG identifies and recommends potential new sites for designation as BR. But notification is to be done by SG. local mgmt of BRs is also the responsibility of SGs
- three zones
- core zone;
- Often conserve the The Wild relatives of economic species and also represent important genetic reservoirs having exceptional scientific interest
- May also have a national park or wildlife sanctuary
- the core zone is to be kept free from all types of human pressure
- buffer zone:
- The uses and activities allowed in the buffer zone include restoration, demonstration site for enhancing value addition to the resources, Limited recreation, tourism, fishing, grazing etc. Research and educational activity are to be encouraged
- transition zone
- Usually not delimited
- It is a zone of cooperation where conservation knowledge and management skills are applied and users are managed in harmony with the purpose of the biosphere reserve
- Include settlements, crop lands, managed forests and area for intensive recreation and other economic uses
- core zone;
- Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life. BR computer Manav an integral part Whereas other PAN II often have an exclusionary approach of conservation
- Unlike WLS or NP, BRs are not notified under any specific act. Existing legally protected areas (NPs/WLS/TR) may become part of a BR without any change in their legal status (usually more than one PA can be part of BR)
*
11 BRs recognised under WNBR?
- Nilgiri BR
- Gulf of Mannar BR
- Sunderbans BR
- Nanda Devi BR
- Nokrek BR
- Pachmarhi BR
- Simplipal BR
- Achanakmar-amarkantak BR
- Great Nicobar BR
- Agasthyamala BR
- Khangchendzonga BR
7 BRs not yet recognised under WNBR?
- Manas BR
- Dibru-Saikhowa BR
- Dihang-Dibang BR
- Kachh BR
- Cold Desert BR
- Sesachalam BR
- Panna BR
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Tiger reserves?
- Project Tiger launched by GoI in 1973
- it is a centrally sponsored scheme of MoEFCC
- starting from 9 reserves in 1973, it is now 50 in 2018
- Corbett Tiger Reserve is oldest (1973)
- Kamlang TR in Arunachal P is latest (2018)
- Both MH and MP hv highest no. i.e. 5 each
- MP: Pench, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Satpura, sanjay-Dubri and Panna
- MH: Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Nawegaon-Nagzira and Bor
- TR constituted on a core-buffer strategy
- Core areas hv the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary
- The buffer areas are a mix of forest and non forest land managed as a multiple use area
- The project tiger promotes an exclusive Tiger agenda in the core areas while an inclusive people-oriented agenda in the buffer
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Tiger reserves: NTCA?
OR
BD conservation in India: National legislations: WPA 1972: authorities established: NTCA?
- estab by 2006 amendment of WPA 1972
- obj:
- Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger
- Fostering accountability of centre state in management of Tiger Reserves
- Providing for an oversight by parliament
- Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves
- Functions
- Approved Tiger conservation plan prepared by State Government
- Disallow any ecologically unsustainable land use such as Mining or industry within the Tiger Reserve
- Lay down normative standards for tourism activities and guidelines for project tiger
- Provide measures for addressing man animal conflict
- Approve and co-ordinate Research and monitoring on tiger, co predators, prey habitat, related ecological and socio-economic parameters and evaluation
- Tiger reserve and areas linking one protected area or tiger reserve with another protected area or tiger reserve cannot be diverted for ecologically unsustainable users except in public interest and with the approval of the NTCA
BD conservation in India: Tiger census 2018?
carried out every 4 yrs
2018 census was carried out using doubling sample technique. Further, a new digital Tiger census technique was used and an Android application- Monitoring system for tigers intensive protection and ecological status (M-STrIPES) was introduced
It is the first time Bhutan Bangladesh and Nepal are part of India’s Tiger census to jointly estimate the number of tigers in the region of shared border areas
- The total count of tigers has risen to 2,967 in 2018 from 2,226 in 2014 — an increase of 33% in four years. and 100% since 2006
- Tiger population within reserves is 1,923 (65% of the total tiger population of India) which means 35% of the tiger population still lives outside the reserves.
- State wise: Madhya Pradesh has maximum tigers at 526 followed by Karnataka at 524 (KN was 1st since 2010) and 442 in Uttarakhand.
- Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Mizoram(0 tiger spotted) saw a decline in the tiger population and all other States saw a positive increase.
- Highest Tiger Reserves: Corbett Tiger Reserve(Uttarakhand) has the highest tigers followed by Nagarhole tiger reserve(Karnataka) and Bandipur Tiger Reserve(Karnataka).
- Dampa Tiger Reserve(Mizoram), Buxa Tiger Reserve(West Bengal) and Palamau Reserve(Jharkhand) have no tigers left.
- 2018 tiger census divided tiger habitats in India into five tiger landscapes
- Shivalik Gangetic plains
- Central India and Eastern Ghats- 1033 tiger
- WG- 933 tigers
- NE Hills and Brahmputra flood plains
- Sunderbans
- Kerala had the highest increase in tiger pop (by 313%) followed by TN and Bihar
TRAFFIC Report on illegal global trade in tigers?
- Overall, conservative estimates of 2,359 tigers were seized from 2000 to 2018 across 32 countries and territories globally.
- On average, 60 seizures were recorded annually, accounting for almost 124 tigers seized each year.
- The top three countries with the highest number of seizure incidents were India (463 or 40.5% of total seizures) and China (126 or 11.0%), closely followed by Indonesia (119 or 10.5%).
- In terms of various body parts seized, India had the highest share among countries for tiger skins (38%), bones (28%) and claws and teeth (42%).
Need for rethink of Tiger population management theories?
1) Generally experts follow popular “source and sink” population theory of a decad ago i.e. beyond the protected core tiger areas (source pop), a dispersing tiger pop was bound to be a sink pop and not guaranteed to survive.
2) Tiger T1C1 (travelled 1300km over 6 months) as well as growing no. of tigers in non-protected forests like Brahmpuri in chandrapur district shows a rethink needed.
India’s efforts in Tiger Conservation?
● India has achieved the remarkable feat of doubling the tiger population in 2018 itself, 4 years ahead of the targeted year 2022.
● The model of success of India’s tiger governance is now being replicated for other wildlife like the Lion, Dolphin, Leopard, Snow Leopard and other small wild cats.
● The budgetary allocation for tiger conservation has increased from Rs 185 crore in 2014 to Rs 300 crore in 2022.
● 14 Tiger Reserves in India have already been awarded with international CA|TS accreditation and efforts are on to bring in more Tiger Reserves under CA|TS accreditation.
- Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) has been agreed upon as an accreditation tool by the global coalition of Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) and has been developed by tiger and protected area experts.
- CA|TS is a set of criteria which allows tiger sites to check if their management will lead to successful tiger conservation
- officially launched in 2013
- The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and World Wildlife Fund India are the two implementing partners of the National Tiger Conservation Authority for CATS assessment in India.
● Approximately 4.3 million man-days of employment are being generated by 51 Tiger Reserves in India and funds from Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) are being utilized for promoting voluntary village resettlement from core areas of the Tiger Reserves.
● India is one of the Founding members of the intergovernmental platform of Tiger Range Countries – Global Tiger Forum, and over the years, GTF has expanded its programme on multiple thematic areas, while working closely with the Government of India, tiger states in India and tiger range countries.
○ Global Tiger forum is the only intergovernmental international body established with members from willing countries to embark on a global campaign to protect the tiger.
Two legal instruments that have enabled tiger recoveries in India are:
- The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
- The Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980, which reinforced Project Tiger.
Global Tiger Forum?
In 1993, an International Symposium on Tiger Conservation in New Delhi recommended the formation of an Inter-Governmental International Body that would embark on a Global Campaign for the Protection of Tigers.
It is the only intergovernmental international body established with the objective to save tiger
It covers the tiger range countries-Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam
- Established in 1994, the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) has its headquarters in New Delhi.
- The General Assembly of GTF meets after every three years.
- It utilises cooperative policies, common approaches, technical expertise, scientific modules and other appropriate programmes.
- As per the Global Tiger Forum, it was set up to highlight the rationale for tiger preservation and provide leadership and a common approach throughout the world in order to safeguard the survival of the tiger, its prey, and its habitat.
- The Global Tiger Forum was set up to promote a worldwide campaign to save the tiger, its prey and its habitat.
- The Global Tiger Forum has plans to promote a legal framework in the countries involved for biodiversity conservation and to increase the protected area network of habitats of the tiger and facilitate their inter passages in the range countries.
Saint Petersburg declaration?
The Heads of the Governments of Tiger Range countries at St. Petersburg, Russia, had resolved to double tiger numbers across their global range by 2022 by signing the St. Petersburg declaration on tiger conservation.
- There are currently 13 tiger range countries - India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.
- With 2,967 tigers, India, four years in advance, has achieved the target set in the 2010 St Petersburg Declaration of doubling tiger population by 2022. India had around 1,400 tigers in 2006.
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Elephant reserves?
OR
Project Elephant?
- launched in 1992 by the MoEFCC to provide financial and technical support to wildlife management efforts by states for their free-ranging populations of wild Asian Elephants.
- a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Objectives:
- To protect elephants, their habitat & corridors.
- To address issues of man-animal conflict.
- Welfare of captive elephants.
- The Project is being mainly implemented in 16 States / UTs (all except J&K, HP, PJ, Haryana, Raj, GJ, Goa, Telangana, MP, Manipur, sikkim, Mizoram and Bihar)
- 32 elephant reserves have been notified
- Project Elephant has been formally implementing MIKE programme of CITES in ten Elepant reserves since 2004.
MIKE programme?
- Monitoring the illegal killing of elephants
- initiative of CITES
- a site based system, designed to monitor trends in illegal killing of elephants, provide info to range states
- When an elephant carcass is found, local fight personal try to establish and record the cause of death and other details. It enables MIKE to identify any changes in poaching pressure and to develop regional trend in the illegal killing of elephants
- Project Elephant has been formally implementing MIKE programme of CITES in ten Elepant reserves since 2004
Project Elephant has been formally implementing MIKE programme of CITES in ten Elepant reserves. These are?
- Chirang-Ripu reserve of assam
- Dihing Patkai reserve, Assam
- Deomali ER, Arunachal
- garo hills ER, meghalaya
- Eastern Doars ER, WB
- Mayurbhanj ER, odisha
- Shivalik ER, UK
- Mysore ER, KN
- Nilgiri ER, TN
- Wayanad ER, Kerala
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) or Ecologically sensitive zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas?
- ESZs are transition zones from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection
- They are notified and regulated under Environment protection Act 1986.
- The act empowers the central government to take all measures that it feels necessary for protecting and improving the quality of the environment and to prevent and control environmental pollution
- It allows for restrictions of areas in which certain developmental activities can be prohibited
- History:
- Recommended by committee like Pranab Sen committee 2000, Mohan Ram committee 2001
- National wildlife Action Plan (2002-16) 2002 guidelines suggested lands within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and sanctuaries should be notified as Eco fragile zone under Environment protection Act. These were aimed to serve as shock absorber for protected areas. But this caused problems for protected areas in urban areas
- National Board of wildlife 2005 directions suggested that the delineation of ESZ would have to be side specific and should regulate rather than prohibit specific activities.
- Supreme Court passed a judgement in 2006 directing all the states to demarcate ESZs extending up to 10 km from the protected areas, giving due regard to the precautionary principle.
- MoEFCC 2019 notification:
- Over 30% of India’s protected area has been covered under ESZ
- Out of 651 protected areas in India, is 316 are covered under the final notification; 100 is in A&N islands
- Prohibits meaning, stone quarrying and crushing unit to be located within 1 km of the protected areas
- In the absence of the notification and area of 10 km around the protected area is considered default ESZ according to directions of the supreme court
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Bio-Diversity Heritage Sites?
- Under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 the State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify the areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
- NBA defined them as areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems - terrestrial, coastal, and inland and marine waters - having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the components like,
- Species richness - Wild and domesticated species or intra-specific categories,
- High endemism,
- Presence of rare, endemic and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance,
- Presence of wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or land races or their varieties,
- Past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having cultural or aesthetic values.
- Area with significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values; important for the maintenance of cultural diversity
- As of March 2020, there are 17 BHS.
BD conservation in India: National legislations: Biological Diversity Act 2002 (BDA): People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR)?
- The PBRs focus on participatory documentation of local biodiversity, traditional knowledge and practices.
- The register shall contain comprehensive information on the availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medicinal or any other use or any other traditional knowledge associated with them.
- They are seen as key legal documents in ascertaining the rights of local people over the biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Bio-Diversity Heritage Sites: name them?
Nallur Tamarind GroveBangalore, Karnataka
HogrekanChikmagalur, Karnataka
University of Agricultural Sciences, BengaluruKarnataka
AmbaragudaKarnataka
Glory of AllapalliMaharashtra
Tonglu BHS and Dhotrey BHS under the Darjeeling Forest DivisionDarjeeling, West Bengal
Chilkigarh Kanak Durga West Bengal
Mandasaru Odisha
Dialong Village Manipur
Ameenpur lake Telangana
Majuli Assam
Gharial Rehabilitation Centre Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Purvatali Rai Goa
Naro Hills Madhya Pradesh
AsramamKerala
Amboli, Sindhudurg, MH (added in 2021)
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Important Bird areas (IBAs)?
- The IBA programme of Birdlife International aims to identify, monitor and protect a global network of IBAs. The IBAs serve as conservation areas for protection of birds at the global, regional or sub-regional level.
- According to Birdlife International, designation of IBAs is based on standardized criteria, namely
- hold significant numbers of one or more globally threatened bird species,
- be one of a set of sites that together hold a suite of restricted-range species or biome-restricted species and
- have exceptionally large numbers of migratory or congregatory birds.
- The Bombay Natural History Society and Birdlife International have identified 467 IBAs in India. Forty percent of these IBAs fall outside the PA network and thus form an important tool for landscape-level conservation planning.
BD conservation in India: BD conservation sites other than PAN: Key BD Areas (KBAs)?
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are nationally identified sites of global significance. KBAs are identified at the national, sub-national or regional level by local stakeholders using the two globally standard criteria of vulnerability and irreplaceability.
Vulnerability: This criterion is triggered when there is a regular occurrence of significant (exceeding a threshold) population of a globally threatened species (according to the IUCN Red List) at the site. Currently proposed thresholds comprise presence of a single individual of a Critically Endangered or Endangered species, or 30 individuals of a Vulnerable species.
Irreplaceability: This criterion refers to a site which is irreplaceable as it holds a significant proportion of a species’ global population at any stage of the species’ lifecycle.
KBAs extend the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) concept to other taxonomic groups. Examples include Important Plant Areas (IPAs) (Anderson 2002, Plantlife International 2004), Prime Butterfly Areas (van Swaay and Warren 2003), Important Mammal Areas (Linzey 2002) etc.
Currently one of the many uses of KBAs is to help governments and communities achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, especially targets 11 and 12 that focus on expanding the protected area network and preventing extinction of all known threatened species.
BD conservation in India: Policies/Programs/Projects for BD conservation: NWAP?
Naional Wildlife Action PLan
first in 1983
NWAP-2 : 2002-2016
NWAp-3: 2017-31
BD conservation in India: Policies/Programs/Projects for BD conservation: NWAP 2017-31?
- plan is woven around the agenda of SDg-15: “Life on Land”
- key strategic changes in the new plan is adopting a “landscape approach” in conservation of all the wildlife — uncultivated flora (plants) and undomesticated fauna (animals) — rather than the areas where they occur. While till now programmes and plans related to wildlife were focused on and around NPs and WLS, now the strategies would be based on the landscape of the region that may not be limited to a reserve forest system alone.
- plan has been divided into five components, which are further divided into 17 themes carrying 103 conservation actions. Each theme has a set of conservation actions and projects — 250, in all.
- focus areas:
- Man-animal conflict mitigation,
- adapting to the climate change,
- recovery of threatened species of wildlife while conserving their habitats, incl in coastal, marine and inland acquatic ecosystem
- additionally underlines on other two parts of living resource preservation namely, conservation of genetic diversity and sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems
- managing eco-tourism,
- ensuring public participation in the conservation, and recommend’core-buffer-multiple use surround’ structure. In the core areas human activities are strictly prohibited whereas in Buffer regions Limited human activities are allowed. The plan also takes into account strong dependence of forest during communities on forest resources and their rights under forest rights act 2006
- developing human resources,
- strengthening research and monitoring through modern technology like radio collars and drones and
- ensuring funds for the wildlife sector
- an increased role of private sector in wildlife conservation. The plan lays down that the Centre would ensure that adequate and sustained funding including CSR
- This is the first time that an action plan on wildlife is recognising the impact of climate change on wildlife.
6.
Central Asian Flyway?
A flyway is a geographical region within which a single or a group of migratory species completes its annual cycle – breeding, moulting, staging and non-breeding.
- Central Asian Flyway (CAF), is one of 9 key flight paths taken by migratory water birds. It covers a large area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans.
- Including India, there are 30 countries under the Central Asian Flyway.
- The CAF comprises several important migration routes of waterbirds, most of which extend from the northernmost breeding grounds in Siberia to the southernmost non-breeding wintering grounds in West Asia, India, the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory.
