1. Why value biodiversity in impact assessment? WII-ETMA Training Programme ’08, Saudi Arabia Asha Rajvanshi ar@wii.gov.in Professor and Head, EIA Cell, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun What are ecosystems doing for you? How developments affect ecosystems? Source: Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigators Source: http://www.solcomhouse.com/i mages/coral_reef_florida.jpg

2. People need biodiversity. Its loss damages livelihoods now and in the future. Biodiversity is an insurance policy on which many lives and futures depend. It is increasingly threatened. Why value biodiversity in impact assessment?

3. How is biodiversity threatened? Rising resource demands Hectares of land available per person Rising population (Source: Anon., 2000) newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44191000/jpg/_

4. What are these ecosystem goods and services that matter for impact assessment ?

5. Supporting services Nutrient cycling Soil formation Primary production Bank stabilisation Source: http://aslo.org/orlando2008/images/ osm_reef.jpg

6. Provisioning services Food and fodder Plant and animal products Genetic material and medicines Timber Fiber Non-living materials Water Arab physicians of the Middle Ages considered tarthuth (Cynomorium coccineum,) 'the treasure of drugs' Source: http://www.galenfrysinger.com/ camels.htm Source: http://slis.cua.edu/ihy/sp2000/ cuisines/images/trees2.jpg Source: http://l.yimg.com/g/images/ spaceball.gif Source: http://desertdiaries.files. wordpress.com/2008/01/desert-thumb.jpg Source: http://flickr.com/photos/ picture-frank/159380718/

7. Fish and aquatic animals contribute 17% of animal protein in human diet. 65% protein comes from plant cereals, beans, peas, nuts and oilseeds. 4 varieties of wheat produce 75% of crop in Canada. 4 variety of potato produce 72% of crop in USA. Every coffee plant in Brazil descends from a single plant. Entire soya bean industry is derived from 6 plants. From spices (cinnamon, pepper) to critical medications (aspirin, tamoxifen, quinine, digitalis) have been discovered "accidentally" because plants or animals produced chemicals for defense or attraction. (Source : World Conservation Strategy, 1980)

8. Regulating services Purification of air and water Mitigation of floods and droughts Detoxification and decomposition of wastes Generation of renewal of soil and soil fertility Pollination of crops and natural vegetation Biological control of pests and disease vectors Stabilization of climate http://www.tazapress.com/Landscapes-04.html

9. Cultural Aesthetic values Social relations and values Education and scientific value Source: http://bp0.blogger.com Source: Riyadh Journal & Shawn Baldwin for The New York Times http://dak-wan.blogspot.com/2008/06/al- areen-wildlife-and.htm

10. Economic importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services (Source: Duraiappah, 2002).  Being able to be adequately nourished  Being able to be free from avoidable disease  Being able to live in an environmentally clean and safe shelter  Being able to have adequate and clean drinking water  Being able to have clean air  Being able to have energy to keep warm and cook  Being able to use traditional medicine  Being able to continue using natural elements found in ecosystems for traditional cultural and spiritual practices  Being able to cope against extreme natural events like floods, tropical storms and landslides  Being able to make sustainable management decisions that respect natural resources and enable the achievement o f sustainable income  Purification of air and water  Mitigation of floods and droughts  Detoxification and decomposition of wastes  Generation of renewal of soil and soil fertility  Pollination of crops and natural vegetation  Control of a vast majority of potential agricultural pests  Dispersal of seeds and translocation of nutrients  Maintenance of biodiversity, for agricultural, medicinal and industrial enterprise  Protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays  Partial stabilization of climate  Spiritual uses and relationship of people to land and water  Aesthetic values  Social relations and values  Education and scientific value ECOSYSTEM SERVICES HUMAN WELL-BEING  Food  Micro-organisms, plant and animal products  Genetic material, biochemicals and medicines  Fuels/energy  Fiber  Non-living materials  Fresh Water PROVISIONNING REGULATING ENRICHING

11. Implications of impaired ecosystem functions and services Case Example 1 The Asian tsunami directed world attention on the role of mangroves in shielding the coast from the impacts of tsunami (Source: Wetland International, 2005) (Source: M.S. Swaminathan Foundation Research)

12. The loss of littoral forests during the Tsunami wiped off the largest population of the Nicobar megapode that occured in the Great Nicobar Island. The Nicobar megapode is a ground nesting and globally ‘Vulnerable’ species of bird. Case Example 2 Loss of ecosystem services provided by the littoral forest Low-lying coastal habitats between beach and up to near by hills provide ideal habitat and microclimate for building nesting mounds. (Source: Sivakumar, WII)

13. Case Example 3 Health risks linked to the decline in scavenging services provided by vultures Populations of three Gyps vulture species (White-backed, Long-billed, and Slender- billed) in parts of their ranges in South Asia fell by more than 95 percent in just three years in the 1990s, and all are now classified as Critically Endangered. A linkage between the mortality of Gyps vultures of southern Asian countries and the common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ‘Diclofenac’ was established recently from Pakistan. Impact: There has been a sharp increase in feral dog numbers in India, leading to highest number of deaths from rabies of all countries in the world. (Source:http://www.gigrin.co.uk/w/drugs_endangering_kites.html) Griffon Vulture, © Slawomir Dabrowsk

14. How developments affect ecosystems functioning ? Destruction of breeding areas Destruction of coastal ecosystems Destruction of terrestrial habitats Fragmentation of contiguous habitats Introduction of alien and invasive species Over harvesting of biodiversity resources Increased vulnerability to natural disasters (floods, droughts, earthquakes) and the disease Pollution of natural resource http:/news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_ne ws/hi/newsid_4669000/4669260.stm Photo by :Andreas Hauser http://www.chemicals- technology.com/projects/sabicandmaaden/ By Hasan Jamali, AP Photo

15. Impact Assessment for mainstreaming biodiversity values into decision-making

16. Why value biodiversity in impact assessment ? Making development decisions requires information about FACTS and VALUES of biodiversity lost, compromised or traded. Biodiversity should reflect a value that is both broadly shared among the people who use it and the people who consider the need for its protection. A value becomes particularly important when faced with the problem of choosing areas for biodiversity conservation and areas for development projects.

17. The CBD provides a strong international platform for applying impact assessment techniques to biodiversity conservation The most important lesson of the last ten years is that the objectives of the Convention will be impossible to meet until consideration of biodiversity is fully integrated into other sectors. The need to mainstream the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources across all sectors of the national economy, the society and the policy-making framework is a complex challenge at the heart of the Convention.”(Hague Ministerial Declaration from COP VI to WSSD, 2002) Convention on Biodiversity (CBD)

18. International obligations for including biodiversity conservation in impact assessment

19. Articles of CBD678910111214 Integration of biodiversity into national strategies, sectoral plans and programs √ Identification of processes and categories of activities with significant impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity √ Promotion of environmentally sound and sustainable development in areas next to protected areas √ Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded ecosystems √√ Integration of biodiversity in national decision making √√√ Ensuring inclusion of biodiversity in impact assessment √√ Relevant articles of CBD for integrating biodiversity concerns in development planning and decision making

20. Provisions of the Article 14 of CBD Implications for EIA 14a Introduce appropriate procedures requiring EIA of the proposed projects that are likely to have significant adverse effect on biological diversity with a view to avoiding or minimizing such effects and, where appropriate, allow for public participation in such procedures.  Introduce EIA procedures if not currently in place  Review existing EIA procedures to ensure taking into account the impacts on biodiversity.  Use EIA effectively to avoid or minimize significant impacts on biodiversity and to check compliance with all other environmental legislation.  Introduce mechanisms for incorporating public view of biodiversity concerns of the proposed development. 14b Introduce appropriate arrangements to ensure that the environmental consequences of the programmes and policies that portend significant adverse impacts on biodiversity are duly taken into account.  Introduce Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to assess environmental implications of policies and programmes particularly for those which major implications for natural resource use (e.g. transport, hydropower, etc.). 14c Promote consultation on activities that are likely to adversely affect the biodiversity of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, by encouraging the conclusion of bilateral, regional or multilateral arrangements, as appropriate.  Introduce provisions for EIA in a trans-boundary context.  Identify important migratory species for which habitat conservation in other jurisdictions is also important.  Identify activities with potential to cause trans-boundary impacts.

21. Provisions of the Article 14 of CBDImplications for EIA 14d In the case of imminent or grave danger or damage to diversity in areas beyond the limits of natural jurisdiction, notify immediately the potentially affected states of such danger or damage, as well as initiate action to prevent or minimize such danger or damage.  Introduce system of formal and informal communication.  Set up trans-border task forces on thematic areas. 14e Promote national arrangements for emerging responses to activities or events, whether caused naturally or otherwise, which prevent a grave and imminent danger to biological diversity and encourage international co-operation to supplement such national efforts and, where appropriate and agreed by the State or regional economic integration organization concerned, to establish joint contingency plans.  In cases of proposals that have potential to cause major biological damage, ensure that EIAs recommend appropriate emergency response provisions.  EIAs should identify the risk of important and highly geographically restricted biological resources being destroyed by possible major accidents or events. 14f The Conference of the Parties (COP) shall examine, on the basis of studies to be carried out, the issue of liability and redress, including restoration and compensation, for damage to biological diversity, except where such liability is a pure internal matter.  EIA should incorporate considerations of liability and redress in the event of biological damage that may be caused by a proposal.

22. Framework of goals and targets for assessing progress towards the 2010 target 9: Maintain socio-cultural diversity of communities.. 8: Maintain ecosystem capacity, goods and services.. 10: Ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits … 4: Promote sustainable use & consumption 5: Reduce pressures from land/water use change.. 6: Control threats from Invasive alien species.. 7: Address challenges from climate change, pollution.. 2: Promote conservation of species diversity.. 3: Promote conservation of genetic diversity.. 1: Promote conservation of ecosystems, habitats..

23. IA should be applied in situations where the ecological character of Ramsar sites/ other wetlands may be threatened by developments (EIA) or broader policies and strategies (SEA). Several Recommendations and Resolutions (notably Recommendation 6.2 in 1996 and Resolution VII.16 in 1999) call on Parties to incorporate IA into legislative frameworks and ensure that IAs are undertaken where appropriate. The Ramsar Convention

24. ‘Precautionary principle’ presumption in favour of biodiversity protection where knowledge is lacking to ensure effective mitigation or where it is impossible to confirm ‘no significant impact’. ‘No net loss’ principle’ requires status quo to be maintained or enhanced in terms of quantitative and qualitative aspects of biodiversity in line with international agreements and obligations. ‘ Ecosystem approach’, advocated by CBD and Ramsar Convention to ensure sustainable use. Biodiversity depends on healthily functioning ecosystems and processes that have to be assessed and managed in an integrated way. Principles

25. Retooling EIA for integrating biodiversity: Best practices initiatives Global Regional Ramsar Convention 2007.

26. Thank you all…