1. Concern for Conservation of Biodiversity and protection of Environment – An overview
P. Pushpangadan
National Botanical Research Institute
(Council of Scientific &Industrial Research),
Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow
(November 2005)

2. Genesis of the Global Concern on Biodiversity Conservation
First discussed in 1972 U. N. Conference at Stockhlom
U. N. General Assembly by a resolution on 15th December 1972 established UNEP. .
First Governing Council met in 1973 identified Conservation of Nature, Wildlife and Genetic Resources as Priority areas.
The World Commission on environment and Development (WCED) was constituted in 1983.
WCED submitted its report ‘Our Common Future’ in 1987 called for Conservation of Biodiversity for Sustainable Development.

3. Genesis of the Global Concern on Biodiversity Conservation (Contd..)
UNEP constituted an ad-hoc. Working Group of Technological and Legal experts to prepare an international legal instrument for conservation and sustainable use of Biodiversity which resulted in ‘CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY’ (CBD).
171 countries signed CBD in June1992 during the Earth summit at Rio de Janeiro.
CBD came -into force as an International Law On 29th Dec

4. Genesis of the Global Concern on Biodiversity Conservation (Contd..)
India ratified CBD on 18th February 1994 and came into force from 19th May 1994.
188 countries are now parties to CBD (as on Sep. 2005)
World Summit on Sustainable Development, Aug-Sept at Johannesburg

5. Conservation of Biological Diversity
Objectives of CBD
Conservation of Biological Diversity
Sustainable use of its components
Fair and Equitable use of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources

6. Biodiversity
According to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), biodiversity is “the variability among all living organisms from all sources, including, interalia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

7. Biodiversity
Biological diversity is the central tenet of nature, one of its key defining features. Evolution has produced an amazing variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms, intricately interconnected, and worthy of respect and conservation in their own right. Biodiversity is also the basis for the continuous evolution of species. This diversity is also the backbone of human societies and cultures, in terms of the ecological functions it provides and the myriad survival and livelihood it meets.

8. Biodiversity
The term 'biodiversity' is being taken in its holistic sense, to encompass all levels of biodiversity, ecological and evolutionary processes, including:
Natural ecosystems: e.g. forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, mountains, coastal and marine areas, including the historical changes taking place in such ecosystems.
Wild species and varieties: species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms existing in their natural state and the genetic variation within each of these species.

9. Biodiversity
Agricultural ecosystems: e.g. farmlands, pastures, capture fisheries, aquaculture, including historical changes in land-use patterns.
Domesticated species and varieties: species of crops livestock (including poultry), captive-bred fish, pets, and micro organisms in ex-situ collection and the genetic variation within each of these species.
In general we may say that Biodiversity exist at a various levels such as species, genetic and habitat

10. Biodiversity and Associated Knowledge
Biodiversity and the associated local/indigenous knowledge systems (TK) are the special strength of most developing countries like India. Biological Diversity and associated IK provide significant inputs in diverse sectors of economy- agriculture drugs, pharmaceuticals, industrial products. It holds key to long term sustainable development.

11. Major events in Geological record
(the cosmic calendar)
Events
Years ago
Big bang & formation of Universe
4800 Million
Origin of life and evolution of biological cells
3500 Million
Evolution of Blue green algae
3200 Million
Filamentous algae
2000 Million
Eukaryotic cells and photosynthetic cells
400 Million
Photosynthetic organisms – Thallophytes & fungi & land plants
320 Million
Bryophytes : Mosses & Liverworts
300 Million
Tracheophytes: Club mosses (Lycopodium, Selaginella)
280 Million

12. Major events in Geological record
(the cosmic calendarContinue)
Events
Years ago
Gymnosperms : Cycadoides
280 Million
Ginkgos
250 Million
Conifers
Angiosperms
Million
Ants
60 Million
Agriculture by Ants
50 Million
Homo habilis (Progenitor of humans)
2.5 Million
Homo sapiens (Humans)
1.5 Million
Agriculture by Humans
12000 Years

13. Ethical Ecological Economic Aesthetic Evolutionary
Reasons for Conserving
Biodiversity
Ethical
Ecological
Economic
Aesthetic
Evolutionary

14. Conservation of Biodiversity Strategies & Priorities
IUCN, UNEP & WWF 1980 came out with the first global strategy for Conservation.
This strategy defined conservation as :
"Management of human use of biodiversity so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generation "
This definition involves two complementary components , ‘Conservation' and sustainability

15. Conservation of Biodiversity Strategies & Priorities
Primary Goal of World Conservation Strategy is:
Maintenance of essential ecological processes and life support systems on which human survival and economic activities depend
Preservation of species and genetic diversity
Sustainable use of species and ecosystems which support millions of rural communities as well as major industries.
Thus a logical strategy for conservation of
biodiversity should involve:
Protection, preservation, maintenance, exploitation,
conservation and sustainable utilization of
Biodiversity

16. Conservation of Biodiversity Strategies & Priorities (Contd..)
Most widely accepted scientific methods of biodiversity conservation are:
(i)In situ methods & (ii) Ex situ methods In situ conservation
This is being done by effecting protection of Natural habitat(s) as such so as the species or stock of biological communities in their natural state is protected from human intervention e.g. Biosphere reserves, national Parks, wild life sanctuaries, sacred groves or other protected natural ecosystems or on farm agro diversity.
The idea of establishing protected areas & network has been taken a central place in all policy decision process related to biodiversity conservation both at national and international levels

17. R&D work on Plant Biodiversity Thrust Areas & Future Strategies
Complete survey, inventory, documentation and preparation of digital database along with virtual herbarium
Identification of rare, endangered and endemic plants
Bioprospecting of biodiversity and selection.
Domestication, genetic enhancement and development protocol for cultivation of selected wild plant.

18. R&D work on Plant Biodiversity Thrust Areas & Future Strategies (Contd
Development of package of practices for post harvest management and processing.
Development of location specific value added product development from locally available bioresources that convert the local biodiversity into economic wealth & thereby generating gainful mass rural employment and prosperity to the nation.

19. Strength of India in Biodiversity
Rich in all levels of biodiversity species, genes, habitat.
Rich in cultural diversity that generated rich fund of indigenous knowledge systems.
Humanity has tapped only a fraction of this nature's vast genetic library.
Over 70-80% genetic resources of India an other South Asian countries are hitherto untapped.
Excellent opportunity for hunting novel genes, drugs, pharmaceuticals, new chemicals / raw materials for new industrial ventures.

20. Action Programme
Important points that the biodiversity rich third world nations should undertake:
Complete inventory & documentation of all Biological resources including the microorganisms
Identify- rare, endemic and endangered status of spp. , if any.
Check list/database of the floristic wealth of the nation along with the
associated knowledge system
Ground check to know the actual situation and identify the gaps:

21. Action Programme (Contd..)
Study- genetic diversity, distribution pattern, association pattern and gradients
Prepare - passport data of all important and endemic biodiversity passport data should cover morphological cytological chemical and molecular level (DNA/gene level) information so as to prevent loss of genetic diversity and biopiracy.
Identification of problems and solutions in conservation, threatened status of species, ecosystems -with causes of threats.
Identification of problems and solutions in conservation.

22. THANKS