un eco awards M18F · 2019-05-20 · wetlands etc. can reduce the disastrous impacts of climate change such as flooding and storm surges. It is important to understand that biodiversity

INDIA, NATURALLY!CELEBRATING WINNERS OF THE INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS 2016

UNDP INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS 20162

INDIA, NATURALLY!CELEBRATING WINNERS OF THE INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS 2016

UNDP INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS 20164 INDIA NATURALLY 5INDIA NATURALLY 5

Acknowledgement

Mr. Ajay Narayan Jha, Secretary; Dr. Sujata Arora, Advisor; Ministry of

Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Mr. Hem Pande, Former Special

Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and

Former Chairperson National Biodiversity Authority; Dr. B. Meenakumari,

Chairperson and Mr. T. Rabikumar, Secretary from the National Biodiversity

Authority provided valuable guidance for the preparation of this publication.

The eminent Jury has provided their valuable time and guidance in shortlisting

and validation of cases showcasing good practices of biodiversity conservation

and sustainable use. Ms. Amarjeet Ahuja (retired IAS offi cer ), Chair of the Jury

contributed substantially to this publication by writing the case studies with

support from Ms. Anusha Sharma, Intern, UNDP.

Dr. Preeti Soni, Dr. Ruchi Pant, Ms. Lianchawii Chakchuak, Ms. Nandita

Surendran, Ms. Amarah Ashraf, Ms. Manisha Choudhary, Mr. Auro Shashwat

and Ms. Nupur Sharma extended support at various stages.


INDIA, NATURALLY!

Celebrating Winners of the 2016 India Biodiversity Awards

© UNDP 2016

All rights reserved. Published in India.

Front Cover Photo: Orin Leggo /UNDP India

Inside Photos: Biju Boro, Deepak Malik, Doggin Randa, Orin Leggo, Pradeep Horo,

Pravin Pagare, Rathin Barman, Reddi Narendra, Rohit Naniwadekar, Ruhani Kaur,

Sandeep Das, Shankar Narayan, Venkatesh L/UNDP

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UNDP INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS 20168 INDIA NATURALLY 9INDIA NATURALLY 9UNDP INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS 20168

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CONTENTSIntroduction 12

Conservation of Threatened Species 19

Rehabilitating Greater Adjutant (Hargilla) – Assam [Winner] 20

Saving the Great Hornbill in the Land of Nyishi – Arunachal Pradesh [Winner] 28

Saving the Vechur Cattle from the Brink of Extinction – Kerala [Runner–up] 34

Sustainable Use of Biological Resources 41

Constructing the Longest and Highest Living Root Bridge – Meghalaya [Winner] 42

Sustainable Fisheries and Conservation of Marine Biodiversity 48

through Artifi cial Reefs – Tamil Nadu [Runner-up]

Successful Mechanisms for Access and Benefi t Sharing 57

Benefi t-Sharing for Access to Bio-Resources – Madhya Pradesh [(Winner] 58

Access and Benefi t Sharing – A Model from The Indian Institute of 62

Oilseeds Research (IIOR) - Telengana [Runner-up]

Biodiversity Management Committees 69

BMC Dudhai - Uttarakhand [Winner] 70

BMC Niitii Hong - Arunachal Pradesh [Runner-up] 76

Profi le of the Jury 84



The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment divided ecosystem services into four categories:

Provisioning services, or the supply of goods of direct benefit to people, and often with a clear monetary value, such as timber from forests, medicinal plants, and fish from the oceans, rivers and lakes.

Regulating services, the range of functions carried out by ecosystems which are often of great value but generally not given a monetary value in conventional markets. These include regulation of climate through the storing of carbon and control of local rainfall, the removal of pollutants by filtering the air and water, and protection from disasters such as landslides and coastal storms.

Cultural services, not providing direct material benefits, but contributing to wider needs and desires of society, and therefore to people’s willingness to pay for conservation. These include the spiritual value attached to particular ecosystems such as sacred groves, and the aesthetic beauty of landscapes or coastal formations that attract tourists

Supporting services, not of direct benefit to people but essential to the functioning of ecosystems and therefore indirectly responsible for all other services. Examples are the formation of soils and the processes of plant growth.

India: A Megadiverse Country

India, a megadiverse country with only 2.4% of the world's land area, harbours 7-8% of all recorded species, including over 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals. Out of 34 global biodiversity hotspots 4 are found in India, this includes: the Himalayas, the Indo-Burma region, the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and the Sundaland. With over 200 diatom species, 90 dinoflagellates, 844 marine algae

and 39 mangrove species, the marine floral biodiversity of India is remarkable. Over 6000 species of medicinal plants are found in India.

India is also an acknowledged centre of crop diversity and harbours hundreds of varieties of crop plants such as rice, maize, millets etc. As a centre of origin of cultivated plants, India has 15 agro-climatic zones. It is considered to be the primary centre of origin of rice. A total number of 811 cultivated plants and 902 of their wild relatives have been documented so far. India also has a vast and rich repository of farm animals, represented by a broad spectrum of native breeds of cattle (34), buffaloes (12), goat (21), sheep (39) and chicken (15). The great diversity of traditional farming systems and practices in different parts of India contribute to the food security of hundreds of millions of people across the country.

Another key feature of the country’s biodiversity is the endemism, with nearly two-thirds of amphibians and over a third of angiosperms being endemic to India. About 4045 species of flowering plant (angiosperms) endemic to India are distributed amongst 141 genera belonging to 47 families. In terms of endemism of vertebrate groups, India's global ranking is 10th in birds with 69 species, fifth in reptiles with 156 species, and seventh in amphibians with 110 species.

Vanishing Diversity

India’s rich biodiversity is being lost at a very fast rate and is exposed to a range of direct and indirect threats. The loss of India’s natural heritage is mainly attributed to overexploitation of natural resources, unsustainable use of biological resources, land-use changes, increasing human population and increasing impacts of climate change.

In addition to these challenges there are other factors which add to the threat of biodiversity loss and are


INTRODUCTION

A joint initiative of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the United Nations Development Programme, India Biodiversity Awards recognizes the contribution of a range of stakeholders towards conservation of biodiversity and is aimed to incentivise effective implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which ensures conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity and acess and benefit sharing arising from the use of biological resources.

BIODIVERSITY in its simplest forms means variety of life forms. Earth holds a unique place in the entire universe and is representative of diverse forms of life in diverse ecosystems. Every life form has its important role to play in functioning and maintenance of ecosystems. Conserving healthy ecosystems including forests, agro ecosystems, oceans, rivers, wetlands etc. can reduce the disastrous impacts of climate change such as flooding and storm surges. It is important to understand that biodiversity provides a range of ecosystem services for the well-being of humans and the survival of life on earth. For example, apart from regulating local temperatures and protecting drinking water supplies, forests also act as carbon sinks, helping mitigate climate change. Forests also give recreational opportunities and play important economic, social, and cultural roles especially in life of indigenous communities who are totally dependent on them for their life and livelihood. Forests are also a rich source of traditional medicine, which is often based on natural products and plants found in forests.

Biodiversity underpins ecosystem services and provides for food security, human health, ensures clean air and water, contributes to local livelihoods and is essential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, many of which are directly or indirectly dependent on conservation of biological diversity.

United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

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of government and those of civil society (IIAS, 1996). There is a considerable interest worldwide in biodiversity governance that could help in achieving the three main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1993). These are: 1) Conservation of biological diversity; 2) Sustainable use of its components; and 3) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Of particular importance is the governance of forest ecosystems, especially tropical forests, due to their indisputably critical ecological and biological value, high sequestration and storage of carbon, and dependence of people living in and around them for their livelihoods. It is estimated that as many as 1.3 billion people are dependent on forests for their livelihoods worldwide.

India has taken a range of conservation measures to protect its biodiversity through implementing policy and legal frameworks, establishment of ex-situ and in situ conservation measures, education and awareness, establishment of local governance systems, documentation of traditional knowledge systems etc. India's major strength in situ conservation lies in the impressive network of representative and scientifically managed PAs. As of 26 March January 2014, there are 6902 PAs in the country.

The crucial laws that provides a legal framework for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and governance includes, the Indian Forest Act 1927, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the Forest Conservation Act 1980, the Environment Protection Act 1986, The Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act 1996, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act (Recognition of Forest Rights act

2006, the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act 2001, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

India is party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Conservation, sustainable use and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) are the prime objective and national priority. As an obligation to CBD, India formulated its National Biodiversity Action Plan in 2008 which was further updated in 2014. National Biodiversity Action Plan, addendum 2014 to NBAP 2008 includes 12 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) and associated indicators and monitoring framework that provide a road map for achieving the 20 Global Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The 12 NBTs are aligned with 5 strategic goals of Convention on Biological diversity and 20 Global Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The implementation of the National Biodiversity Targets involves alignment of the programmes of the 23 Ministries/Departments of the Government of India. This showcases an excellent example of mainstreaming, concerns, actions and decision-making on biodiversity conservation in various interrelated sectors.

Biological Diversity Act, 2002, is a landmark act for natural resource management which involves the community. The act focuses on conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of biological resources It has a three tier governance structure with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the central level, State Biodiversity Boards at the state level and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level. This decentralized governance system, especially the


a huge area of concern. Some of which include, lack of education and awareness on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, lack of documentation of natural resources and traditional knowledge, lack of alternative livelihood and a huge disconnect between top bottom and bottom up thinking on biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and governance.

The most affected is the local community which is the closest and is the direct user of biodiversity and the services it provides. There are 4635 ethnic communities in India whose history and culture, health, food and livelihood security depends directly on biodiversity.

Conservation has been a tradition in India. The local and traditional communities across India have a rich tradition of protecting and worshipping trees, animals and their habitats. Integrated farming systems, harvest festivals, sacred groves, use of medicinal plants in local health care system are some of the examples showcasing the conservation ethos which has been intricately embedded in India’s culture.

Mainstreaming Biodiversity;

Sustaining People and their Livelihoods

One of the key challenges is the understanding of the important connect of biodiversity with various sectors including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism and other industry and business sectors. The theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity, 2016, focuses on the need to Mainstream Biodiversity to Sustain People and their Livelihoods. Involving community in management of natural resources is essential, especially in India where nearly 300 million people are directly dependent on natural resources. It’s time to bridge the gap, understand and link the historical- socio-cultural environmental and economical aspects of biodiversity.

Biodiversity and Governance

Governance refers to the process whereby elements in society wield power and authority and influence and enact policies and decisions concerning public life and economic and social development. Governance involves interaction between formal institutions

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Access and Benefit Sharing system (ABS), has the potential to provide resources to the community to conserve biodiversity and empower them through the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

India Biodiversity Awards

Across the country, people, communities and governments have played an outstanding and innovative role in conserving India’s rich heritage.

The India Biodiversity Awards (IBA) is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and UNDP India, to recognize and honor outstanding models of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and governance at the grassroots level.

Since 2012, the India Biodiversity Awards have recognized excellence in biodiversity governance and conservation. The first India Biodiversity Awards were jointly announced by the Ministry and UNDP India in 2012 at the high level segment of the Eleventh meeting of Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, during India’s Presidency of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Following its success, the second India Biodiversity Awards were announced in May, 2014 at the International Day for Biological Diversity.

Over 200 good cases of biodiversity governance have been gathered from these two rounds, some of which have been captured in a publication ‘India, Naturally!’ and in a documentary film. This year, on the request of MoEFCC, UNDP along with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), revisited and modified the categories of the India Biodiversity Awards to align them with the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, in order to incentivize stakeholders for the conservation of biodiversity and the effective implementation of the Act.

The four categories of the India Biodiversity Awards 2016 are:

Conservation of threatened species (both wild and domesticated)

Sustainable use of biological resources

Successful mechanisms/ models for access and benefit sharing

Biodiversity Management Committees

• Conservation of Threatened Species: Conservation efforts by individuals and institutions that have led to protection, management and restoration of habitats and population recovery, resulting in significant reduction in the threat level to at-risk wild and domesticated species.

• Sustainable use of biological resources: Efforts resulting in sustainability of resources, best practices for their sustainable use that integrates empowerment of weaker sections of communities.

• Successful mechanisms/ models for access and benefit sharing: Efforts resulting in equitable sharing of benefits (monetary and/ or non-monetary) arising from the utilization of bio-resources and associated traditional knowledge and practices.

• Biodiversity Management Committees: Recognizing efforts on establishing best practices for conservation and sustainable use by documentation of biological resources integrating traditional knowledge; generating awareness, and ensuring access and benefit sharing.

This publication documents nine outstanding models of biodiversity conservation, its sustainable use, local governance and access and benefit sharing arising from use of biological resources and associated knowledge. These outstanding models have been selected out of 123 cases gathered from across the country in the third round of IBA 2016 and have been shortlisted after various levels of screening by the eminent Jury members, followed by field validation.

This publication will be widely used at various platforms across the country to motivate and inspire various stakeholders to take initiative and jointly work towards conservation of India’s unique natural heritage.

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Conservation of Threatened Species

ONE OF THE THREE MAIN OBJECTIVES of Convention on Biological

Diversity (CBD) is conservation of biological diversity. The preamble to

the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 accordingly recognizes this as one of the

main objectives of the Act, 2002. Conservation has been defi ned as ex-situ

conservation and in-situ conservation in CBD. Defi nitions are –

“Ex-situ conservation” means the conservation of components of biological

diversity outside their natural habitats.

“In-situ conservation” means conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats

and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their

natural surroundings and in case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the

surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties.

Conservation thus encompasses not only conservation of abundant species

through sustainable use but also includes rehabilitation and conservation of

threatened and endangered species. IUCN lists the species in the following

categories according to their conservation status:

1. Least Concern (LC)

2. Near Threatened (NT)

3. Vulnerable (VU)

4. Endangered (EN)

5. Critically Endangered (CR)

6. Extinct in the Wild (EW)

7. Extinct (EX)

The case of Greater Adjutant is a story of how the dedication of one

individual can create a whole community of dedicated conservers

challenging and discarding their own previously held animus against

the bird.

The case of Great Hornbill is a story of a collaborative arrangement

between more than one partner, that converted Hornbill hunters to

Hornbill protectors.

The case of Vechur Cow is a fascinating story of the grit and exemplary

work of a scientist to create a unique alliance of teachers, students

and farmers to save and establish a native breed from the brink of

extinction.



REHABILITATING GREATER ADJUTANT [HARGILLA]Ms. PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN & WOMEN’S HARGILLA ARMY

MS. PURNIMA DEVI BARMAN is a Wildlife Biologist. Her interest in research on birds introduced her to the struggle of Greater Adjutant for survival in 2008. The Greater Adjutant, known as Hargilla in Assam, was already in the IUCN RED list of endangered species when Purnima Devi came face to face with its critical status in the Dadara, Pacharia and Singimari villages of Assam. She had gone there for her research. The birds' global population had come down to just 1000 individuals. Its habitat had shrunken from the vast range of South–East Asia to three isolated pockets of Assam, Bihar and Cambodia. It was a sad decline for a Big Bird which at one point of time occupied a place of pride in the Calcutta Municipal Corporation Logo owing to its abundance in that area. Now it was almost gasping for survival.

About Greater Adjutant

Greater Adjutant is a huge bird with an average length and wingspan of 136 cm (54in) and 250 cm (99in) respectively. The bird is usually seen in groups or in the company of kites and vultures in shallow lakes, drying lake beds and garbage dumps. It is a top carnivore and a scavenger, feeding mostly on decaying biomass like meat or rotting plant material. As scavenger this bird performs an important ecosystem service. It usually feeds on the animals and organisms that have either died naturally or have been killed by other carnivores.

Greater Adjutant is a human friend of great value. By consuming the bodies of dead animals and carrions this scavenger plays an important role in the food chain. It cleans the environment, break down the organic material and recycles it into the ecosystem as nutrients.

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People believed that these birds brought inauspicious meat and they also found it unhygienic. This offended their religious sentiments. They would rather kill the bird than have them in their backyards. Their antipathy and animus against the bird was intense.

Kadam trees are tall trees. Greater Adjutant builds its nest on the top of the tree. The chicks are comparatively heavy. Strong winds at times make them fall. Instead of coming to the rescue, people would let them die. No first aid or any help was given to the hatchlings to revive them. Nearly 30-40% of the nestlings succumbed to the injuries due to the nest fall and the cases lay unattended causing a serious decline in the population. Forest Department and other concerned authorities were not informed to help rescue the fallen nestling.

This complete antipathy and animus against the bird from the local community was against this nuisance.

No system was in place to help the local people in tending to the birds, even if they wanted to rehabilitate the bird. The government departments were not in the picture in any meaningful way.

Taking on the challenge

The first and foremost challenge Purnima Devi faced was that of converting the antipathy of people against the bird to empathy and animus against the bird to friendship. Both by no means were easy tasks. But her passion and commitment for Greater Adjutant was equal to the challenge. She sat with the local people

in individual houses, in groups, in common meetings; chatted with them about their fears, encouraged them to talk about their culture, myths, beliefs and folklore. This established a relationship between her and the local community and she told them about the ecosystem services this bird provided for the benefit of humans. She told them about the fact that they were the proud locality of this globally endangered bird and that the whole world looked upon them for the protection of this bird. She reminded them that this very bird was so important that Lord Vishnu used it as his vehicle. Everything she told them gave them a new picture of the bird so despised by them till now. Finally, after an intense time consuming effort, she reached a stage when the local community began to accept the right of the Greater Adjutant to live amongst them as a welcome friend. She gently reminded them of the legal restriction on destructive cutting of trees and their responsibility towards maintaining the habitat. The outcome today is gratifying. 14 Self Help Groups of which 5 women members each have been registered. This 70 member group calls itself Hargilla Army now and is forever vigilant to protect this bird.

Change of Attitudes and Way Forward

This case of the Greater Adjutant is a testimony to fact that when local communities are convinced and take up something they fi nd novel and concrete ways of reaching the intended goal. The commitment to achieve the goal becomes even stronger and deeper when women take up the responsibility. In the villages Dadara, Pacharia and Singimari women’s cultural now found a new candidate.


But can these important scavenging services come totally for free? Mostly these birds live near urban areas in India close to human habitation.

The only fee they demand from humans for these services is an understanding of the feeding and survival system nature has endowed them with.

Their droppings left over dead meat and carcasses, which they bring to their nests to feed themselves, create unwelcome odour and litter. People find this repulsive and destroy their habitat. They do not like to have them around. This was the threat the dwindling populations of Greater Adjutant faced from the people of Dadara ,Pacharia and Singimari districts where they used to nest and breed.

Identifying the problem

A baseline survey conducted in 2006 and 2008 counted only 28 nests on 13 trees in these villages. Purnima Devi studied the area. She held long meetings with the residents of these villages. She identified several

reasons which contributed to the decline of the populations of the Greater Adjutant in the area and created an ominous looming threat for their future. There were active as well as passive threats. There were managerial issues and there were follow up problems.

The tall trees of Neolamarckiacadambaor Kadam are the natural and preferred habitat of the birds in this area. Almost 32 wetlands in this area earlier used to have these trees on their boundaries. These have completely been felled over the years. Most wetlands are dry patches now. Now the trees are found only in the backyards of the local people. People have been resorting to felling of these trees to get low grade timber. At times, they cut the trees just to ward off the nuisance of “filth creating big bird Greater Adjutant”. Lack of livelihood opportunities and income also at times made people cut these trees for immediate low gains. This was an active destruction of the habitat of the birds.


They began to have baby shower ceremonies and rituals for Greater Adjutant nestling like human babies. As part of their cultural practices, pregnancy of women is celebrated and friends collect to offer prayers and celebrations for the safe delivery and a healthy life for mother and child. The women of these villages started a similar practice for Greater Adjutants at the onset of thebreeding season. They collect in a temple, sing prayers and perform Panchamrit ceremony to seek blessings from God to prevent nest fall and death of the new chicks. They pray for the health of Greater Adjutant mother and its nestling. They have written songs to celebrate the bird. They have created plays which they enact themselves at occasions. They have made Greater Adjutant masks to enact roles in plays. In fact, their energy and innovations are boundless. They have organized themselves into 14 Self Help Groups. All of these SHG’s, with a membership of 70 women, have organized themselves into Hargilla Army to protect the bird. This Army is dedicated to the protection and conservation of Greater Adjutant.

Together with ever available and willing Purnima Devi, these women have widened the supporter base to their mission by including their children and other members of the household.

Widening Stakeholder’s Base

The next step required was to bring Forest Department and District Administration in to the scheme of things for larger goals. If the nest falls, Forest and Police Department and District Administration have to help rescue the nestling without loss of time. Police help in such rescue operations and other safety measures is a critical requirement.

Fortified by the willing and constructive support of the local community, driven by her own passion, rich in persuasive skills, Purnima Devi was able to achieve the ready cooperation of these departments. As a result, safety nets have been installed under the nesting trees. Village youth are assigned the duty of

INDIA NATURALLY 25

watching over these nets on a daily basis to promptly report any nest fall. A telephonic message goes to the local police and Forest Department. With their very high commitment, the Police respond immediately and the nestling is rescued by a PCR van without any wastage of time. The nestling is taken to the Zoo where it is given care till it is fit to be released out into the open. The Local Forest Department also regulates the monitoring of the health of the bird and helps local people in their needs. The District Administration provides an umbrella support and is approachable in times of need. A welcome spin off of this collaborative effort is that it has created a positively inclined channel of contact between the local community and the District Administration. This is of immense value to the local people in other matters also. District Administration is taking further steps to find alternate livelihood avenues for the local people.

Supportive Activities

Environment education programmes and competitions for youth and school children are organized. Schools are encouraged to become guardians of the bird. This ensures interest of the children and will also help create long term sustainability of the initiative of saving the bird. All the international days relating to environment like World Environment Day, International Day of Forests, World Wetland Day etc. are enthusiastically celebrated involving children to create and sustain awareness about various elements of nature and place of Greater Adjutant in the food web.

Scientifi c Tracking and Collaborations

Collaboration with scientific institutions has been established to study various physical, physiological and environmental aspects of Greater Adjutant. In particular-

Collaboration with BNHS to develop the bands to be put on bird’s leg in order to track their location through GPS.

Focal sampling of the bird is done to investigate the behavior of the chicks

Scientific research on elemental status of the egg shell in relation to the success of breeding status is being carried out

Specie Recovery Action Plan has been prepared.

Signifi cant Outcomes

The multiple interventions and collaborative actions taken by all concerned have resulted in conserving this endangered species and protecting its habitat in Assam. It has become a stronghold of the bird. The measure of success of the effort can be gauged from the following:

• An increase of 143 nests on 44 trees over a period of 6 years has been recorded.

• 5% decrease in the nest fall and deaths caused by the same has been recorded for the past 4 years.

• Strategy for the rescue and rehabilitation of the bird in collaboration with the Assam State Zoo has been developed and implemented

15 hoardings have been installed at strategic locations in the district to spread awareness about the bird and develop stake in its conservation.

Breeding seasons of the bird is celebrated by over 5000 people.

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“Ownership feeling” among the tree owners of Dadara, Pacharia and Singimari villages has been generated and the district is now globally recognized as a safe haven for the birds.

No case of a single tree felling has been registered since 2010.

Support from State Institute of Rural Development for skill development and capacity building of the local communities for alternate livelihoods has been sought

• Alternative livelihood options are being explored for the community; 28 handlooms have been distributed among 14 Self Help Groups.

• Fashion and textile designing diploma specially designed with Stork motif for the women of the participating community has been started.

• Over 10,000 people have been mobilized and sensitized for the conservation of the bird.

Road Ahead

Commitment of the local community at present is unconditional. To consolidate and to put the entire effort on a scientific and sustainable footing, careful future plans and actions are needed. These plans include:

Establishment of a Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre

Establishment of Community Centre for the villagers

Creation of the Community Conserved Area of the nesting colonies with direct support from the state

Creation of Hargilla Restaurant – common area for dumping the food waste and meat to ensure the congregation of the birds in the area.

Facilitation of the Health insurance for the Hargilla Army

Plantation along the wetlands and reducing anthropogenic pressures on them

Creation of alternate livelihood opportunities for the participating communities

Facilitation of the physiological research at the molecular/genetic level to know the status of toxins in the egg shell of Greater Adjutant.

At present the whole initiative is so well owned by the participating people and the agencies that to try to think of any threats and weakness seems sacrifi cing. Purnima Devi says, “Hargilla is my child and the main objective of my life is to save this beauty from extinction”. Hargilla Army sings prayers for safety and welfare of the bird. It proudly proclaims that “This is an Army without arms, but is armed with the commitment to fi ght out all the obstacles to save Hargilla”.However efforts have to continue to sustain the enthusiasm and commitment so visible today.

One crucial area to be strategically pursued for future would be to ensure that livelihoods initiative works well. Infrastructure in the area is developed to encourage eco- tourism with Hargilla as the destination. Returns from this will ensure a permanent stake in saving this habitat for the Greater Adjutant.

THE GREAT HORNBILL

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SAVING THE GREAT HORNBILL IN THE LAND OF NYISHI TRIBENATURE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION AND THE GHORA ABHE VILLAGE SOCIETY

DARLONG, Bali Basti, Moboso, Jolly, Langaka and Goloso villages falling in the Seijosa Circle, the habitat of Great Indian Hornbill are picturesque villages close to the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh. These are inhabited by people belonging to Nyishi tribe. The Nyishi tribe is one of the main tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Nyi refers to "a man" and the word shi denotes "a being". Collectively these words mean a civilized human being. Nyishi tribe is spread across six districts of Arunachal Pradesh namely Papum Pare, part of Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, East Kameng, parts of Upper Subansiri and Kra Dadi. The Nyishi are agriculturalists who practice Jhum, which is a form of shifting cultivation. These people are traditionally dependent on the forests. Their diet includes fruits, roots, bamboo shoots, wild animals, fish and wild leafy vegetables.

The Nyishis traditionally wear helmets. These helmets are festooned with the feathers of the Great Hornbill also known as Great Indian Hornbill and topped with the beak and casque of the Hornbill. Casque is the horny growth of the bird where the bird’s forehead meets the beak of the bird. This ornamental use of vital parts of the bird means killing the Hornbill. It is no surprise then that, with their formidable reputation of a hunter – warrior tribe, the Nyishis almost hunted the Great Indian Hornbill into near extinction in the past. And those who didn’t kill them, they also hurt the bird by felling the trees. These trees are required by the tribe for repairing and rebuilding their houses. But the very same tribe has changed into protectors of this bird today.

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About the Great Hornbill

The Great Hornbill (Bucerosbicornis) is the State Bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala states It is also known as the Great Indian Hornbill or the Great Pied Hornbill. It is one of the larger members of the species of Hornbill family. It is found in South and Southeast Asia. In South Asia it is found in a few forest areas in the Western Ghats and in the forests along the Himalayas. It has a long life span with a record of living for nearly 50 years in captivity. It is predominantly frugivorous, but also preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds. It is a large bird, 95–130 cm (37–51 in) long, with a 152 cm (60 in) wingspan and a weight of 2.15–4 kg (4.7–8.8 lb.) Females are smaller than males and have bluish-white eyes, orbital skin with pinkish. Like other hornbills, they have prominent "eyelashes". The most prominent feature of the hornbill is the bright yellow and black casque on top of its massive bill. Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals.

The Great Hornbill is a seed disperser. Therefore it is vital for the regeneration, conservation and biodiversity of the forests.

The Great Hornbill is evaluated as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Fostering the Hornbill

Nature Conservation Foundation, a wildlife conservation and research NGO based in Mysore, Karnataka,works on human wildlife conflicts and conservation of threatened species. One of their scientists worked on conservation of Hornbills in Arunachal Pradesh. The work required engagement of some research associates to track and monitor the nests and nestlings. For this purpose NCF held its initial discussions with the members of Ghora Abhe Society and the Park Management of the PTR in February 2011.

Ghora Abhe Society is a group of 10 village chiefs


of the area formed in 2006. The Society supports conservation efforts around Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) in collaboration with the State Forest Department. It creates awareness about eco-friendly development activities across their villages and encourages such activities. It is a forum which carries the collective strength of many villages. It could prove a game changer for the survival and conservation of the Hornbill if approached properly and convinced about the case. That is exactly what happened in this case. NCF’s discussions with the society and the Park Management resulted in a concrete plan of actions. It was decided to encourage villagers to locate Hornbill nests in the Pakke Reserve Forests at an honorarium of Rupees 1000 (approx. USD17) for each nest. In the initial phase, the villagers located eight nests by June 2011. People were engaged and the success of the experiment led NCF to look for a more sustainable way of reaching the conservation goal.

Some path-breaking work on the conservation of the Great Hornbill had been done by one Dr. Pilae Poonswad’s in Thailand. His experiment was based on the concept of “adoption of nests” and “shared parenting” of the chicks. As a matter of fact, the whole concept rests on the concept of shared parenting.Three sets of parents adopt nests. These are: the biological parents i.e. the breeding hornbill pair, the foster parents i.e. the local people who act as guardians to monitor and protect the nest (who in this case would be hunters of the past) and the caring urban citizens who willingly contribute funds to support wildlife conservation.

Fostering a Field Implementation Process

NCF in consultation with Ghora Abhe leaders and PTR management decided to adopt this approach. All the three namely Ghora Abhe, Park Management and NCF entered into a tri-partite agreement to initiate a full-fledged programme from the breeding season of 2012. Nine villages along the southern boundary of PTR partnered in the effort to protect hornbill nests in the adjoining PRF. The Ghora Aabhe Society and the Village-level Welfare Committees held local meetings and selected a person from each village to act as the Nest Protector. A Nyishi youth, having formal education, was selected to be the local field co-coordinator.

Once the selection process was complete, all the nest protectors signed a formal confirmation of participation in the program in the presence of their respective village heads. In a formal meeting on 28 November, 2011, they all worked out the agreement of their job responsibilities. They understood and accepted these job responsibilities. They would work in groups of two: one experienced person, possibly a previous hunter and one younger person. The team of the two would begin searching for nests starting in January every year. This work would carry on for eight months – January to August. This period encompasses their entire breeding season. Hornbill chicks fledge by July-August. The nest watchers volunteered to locate and monitor new hornbill roost sites in the non-breeding season of September to February.

INDIA NATURALLY 31

All the nest protectors were given binoculars, shoes, leech socks, backpacks, field notebooks, pens, caps, raincoats as necessary equipments. Training in nest observations and data recording was given through field exposure trips.

The teams of an old, experienced person often ex-hunters possessing knowledge of the forest and of younger men of 20-30 years with formal education worked complementing each other. More people could join the task if willing.

Hornbills in the area start nesting from mid-March and end by end-July to the beginning of August. Eighty-five percent of nest cavities are located in a single tree species called Tetramelesnudiflora. Pairs of birds are seen flying around inspecting and cleaning potential cavities. They begin to engage in courtship behavior from January onwards.

Nest Protectors made periodic visits to known nests during February-March to determine if nesting had been initiated by the bird pairs. They undertook intensive searches between February-May each year to identify new nests and trees in a variety of ways: They followed lone males, looked for potential trees for cavities, located middens, which are piles of regurgitated seeds and fecal matter below active nests, identifi ed the presence of seedlings of hornbill food plants and old feathers, heard their distinctive calls while holding a watch at nearby nests. They traced male hornbill on feeding visit to a cavity.

They tried to record the exact date of nest entry by the female, which were made through regular visits every 1-3 days in initial phase of breeding season March–April. Trees in which nesting had been initiated were specially checked occasionally throughout the breeding season to monitor if the nest had remained active. Nests not showing any activity in the early phase of the breeding season were dropped from monitoring after April. Sometimes new nests were located in the middle of the breeding season.

Towards the end of the breeding season lasting from mid-June to August, they tried to visit all the nests in a span of 2-3 days to obtain information on the nest exit dates of female and chicks. This would give an estimate of the length of nesting cycle, nesting success and the number of chicks fledged. Nesting success was defined as the percentage of initiated nests that fledged young chicks. But it was not possible to monitor all the nests at regular and frequent intervals to obtain entry and exit dates. At some nests, chicks were observed coming out of the cavity. In the case where direct observations of chick emergence were not observed, nesting success was inferred if the nest was active throughout the breeding season and the nest seal was found to be broken and opened at the end of the breeding season i.e. July-August or if a chick was observed in the vicinity of the nest tree with the adult hornbill pair.

Outcomes

In the four years since the formal programme began in the breeding season of 2012, 62 hornbill nests have been monitored. 60 hornbill pairs have been helped to breed successfully. These include 20 Great hornbill chicks, 9 Wreathed hornbill chicks and 31 Oriental pied hornbill chicks. The teams located several new nests every year and these had a 95% nesting success rate in 2015.

From the first meeting with the Ghora-Aabhe Society in 2011, when only 3 nest protectors from the Nyishi community had signed the number now grew to 7 nest protectors and area to 14 villages around the PTR involved in the nest protection. Support from the local community is crucial in conservation of wildlife. Based on the implementation of the programme and


observation of behavior patterns, a need was identified to extend this work outside the Protected Area (PA). The Reserved Forests (RF) outside PTR comprises over 1000 square kilometers of contiguous habitat suitable for hornbills, but is under pressure from human use. Nest trees in the RF were usually abandoned by hornbills due to human disturbance or the trees have been cut down for timber. Secondly, inter-specific competition was noted between hornbill species for nest cavities, i.e. one species taking over the nests of another species. This has indicated a dearth of suitable nests for all the species of hornbills, possibly due to the extensive deforestation and loss of nesting habitat in neighboring areas in the adjoining states.

To encourage and enlist their support, several initiatives to help the local community meet their needs were taken. A naturalist training camp (2012) for local eco-friendly tourism initiative was organized. This initiative provides Nyishi communities an opportunity to earn a livelihood using their vast knowledge of the forests and the area. A part of the fund received for the programme is allocated for village development. It has supported activities like the following to meet some needs of the local people. Some of these were-

• Blackboards for local schools in 2013

• Public toilet in health centres in 2014

• Distribution of mosquito nets to households affected by malaria in 2015

Forests around PTR have been heavily logged in the past. A restoration programme for these has been initiated. A nursery was established in 2013, which

now has over 1500 saplings of ecologically and economically important plant species useful to local people.

Funding

The Hornbill Nest Adoption Program is a partnership between the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), which has worked in the region since 1995, the Ghora Aabhe Village Council (a council of headmen from 14 villages) and APFD. Funding comes primarily from individual urban citizens i.e. the third parent of the nests. They adopt a hornbill nest for a minimum contribution of INR 5000. This is a way of encouraging urban citizens to contribute towards conservation. Support from zoos like the Greater Vancouver Zoo, Canada (2014 and 2015) and the Rotterdam Zoo, Netherlands has been received.Several new community welfare interventions and the restoration work have been supported by the Serenity Trust since 2014. The Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department (APFD) partially supported the Nest Protectors’ salaries in 2015.

Partnerships at work leading to success

This is a case of conservation where partnership of stakeholders concerned has worked effectively. NCF trains nest protectors in nest monitoring, recording breeding behavior and protecting nest. It helps to raise funds through urban citizens for supporting the nest protectors. The Ghora Aabhe Village Council facilitates local participation, nest monitoring, protects the nest trees from forest fires, and logging and prevents hunting.

The APFD provides logistical support and has been

INDIA NATURALLY 33

effective in preventing hunting and logging in the area. NCF’s presence and work both inside and outside the Protected Area provides a platform of comparison of status of Hornbills inside and outside the PA. Traditional knowledge of the local people has provided a strong support base for the programme. Most of the nest protectors from the Nyishi community were formerly hunters with extensive natural history knowledge. This knowledge has been the backbone for locating hornbill nests, identifying potential nesting trees, and protecting them from events such as forest fires. Members of the community also have good fund of knowledge of different plant species in the forest and their uses. The whole venture works as learning lab for the younger members of the team. It works as a channel of passing on the valuable collective traditional knowledge to the younger generation.

Road Ahead

Cultural practices of the community will continue in the future. The helmets would continue to be a part of their traditional attire. The two differences now would be the use of fabricated glass casque on these helmets, created with the help of WTI. Also,the erstwhile hunters of the bird are now its active

protectors. The Hornbill can now breathe easy. There is a plan to use the natural history knowledge of the area to engage with local children. This knowledge is important in sustainable and regenerative use of bio-resources. Nyishi nest protectors can play a crucial role as local educators and guides to children from their own community.

Nature education camps and regular nature trail walks/forest visits led by the Nyishi protectors for the local children are going to be started. This conservation effort has succeeded in turning the hunters into protectors and increasing the nests and numbers of the birds gradually. The program is remuneration based. Continuing financial support will remain the critical requirement till the area’s sore, left by heavy logging in the past, is healed. Any destructive logging now and in the future is strictly prohibited. The Hornbill has become a part of the existence of the local people and to make this sustainable, continuing sources of livelihoods for the local people have to be further explored and taken up. One of the answers may perhaps be in organizing high value, sustainable eco-tourism. The beautiful Hornbill and the fund of traditional knowledge and rich culture seem to hold a promise for this.


SAVING THE VECHUR CATTLE FROM THE BRINK OF EXTINCTIONDr. SOSSAMA IYPE

THE VECHUR COW, now the pride of Kerala, was on the verge of extinction when Ms. Sossama Iype decided to swim against the current and save it. Once popular, and known for its high milk yieldcompared to the other local cattle breeds, the cow derived its name from the place of its origin, Vechur. This village is situated in a unique low lying agricultural tract called Kuttanad. Farming is done below sea level, on a sizeable area in this village.

Vechur cattle were an integral part of the traditional agriculture; especially paddy cultivation in this low land. Their lightweight made Vechur bulls excellent for use in the marshy paddy fi elds. Vechur cattle are small in size and light in weight. The average weight is about 130 kg for cows and 170 kg for bulls and their height is below 90 cm.

These animals have strong colors. Red, black, chocolate, white are the shades commonly seen. Bulls have a hump.Vechur cows have strong adaptability to hot humid environments; their feed requirements are low compared to other cow breeds. These valuedattributes of the cows and their relatively higher milk yield compared to other cow breeds made them the most preferred cows of farmer.

Towards Extinction

Like the rest of the India, Kerala Government had launched a massive crossbreeding program with exotic bulls like Brown Swiss, Jersey and Holstein Friesian for increased milk production in the1960’s. This aggressive crossbreeding transformed the cattle landscape of the state to the disadvantage of the native breeds. The Livestock Improvement Act (1961) of the Government of Kerala disallowed even the local bulls

INDIA NATURALLY 35

to be retained. Only temple bulls were exempted. This Government programme aimed at promoting complete transformation of the local cattle in favor of the exotic crossbreeds. This led to the near extinction of Vechur cattle.

Rescue and Rehabilitation

Dr. Sossama Iype, a professor at the Kerala Agricultural University with expertise in Animal Breeding and Genetics began on a path of rehabilitation and conservation of the nearly extinct Vechur cow in the year 1988. This was a bold step of a scientist because it meant going against the Government policy and law of the day. But once she had made up her mind, she created a unique teacher student collaboration to reach the objective.

To start the programme cows and bulls were required. A student team led by one Anil Zachariah volunteered to scout for Vechur. After scouting around for months,

8 cows were located. The first Vechur cow was spotted with the help of Manoharan, a toddy tapper of Ullala, formerly a part of Vechur village. Students, most of them in their teens, literally jumped and danced in their excitement at the find.

The owners of the cattle were persuaded to sell these cows to the University. With a stock of just 8 cows, the project to conserve the germplasm of Vechur cattle commenced on the 26th of July 1989 at the Kerala Agricultural University. The search for animals continued by the team. In one year, 24 more animals were added to the initial lot of 8. The first step in this ex situ conservation effort was selecting bulls and multiplying the animals to the maximum possible, as the numbers were so low. Distributing some animals to committed farmers for in situ conservation was the next priority. By 1999, the first set of animals could be given back to farmers. This would allow them to be in different places.

The search for the animals and setting –up of a unit in


the Agricultural University generated a lot of curiosity and awareness about the breed. It enlightened the farmers to participate in the program by taking next generation animals from the unit for in-situ breeding and conservation. Ms. Iype along with her team prepared a good breeding programme for the small population. It meant selecting good bulls, instituting a scientific animal identification system and keeping meticulous records including records of accurate pedigree of these animals to ensure strong and good progenies. Blood group testing was used as one of the tools for doubtful parentage identification. This was a successful marriage of research and conservation. This scientific characterization was indeed the foundation that led to the recognition of the breed by the scientific community and animal husbandry experts eventually.

Creating New Partners and Funding

Contributions in kind, as volunteer work by Project leader and other members, amounted to Rs.90 lakhs. Farmer contribution as cost of animal was 76 lakhs. Donations worth 2 lakhs in cash came from friends of conservation contribution. Ms. Iype’s initiative and commitment soon found an echo in others. National Biodiversity Authority of India (NBA), Ministry of Science and Technology, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kerala State Biodiversity Board, NABARD, UNDP Small Grants Programme became partners in the programme in due course. Initially recovery and conservation programme was supported by Kerala Agricultural University. The cascading work of the programme opened doors for conservation units of other local breeds like Kasargod also. The increasing funding partnerships helped create willing acceptance of the breed in the minds of the farmers.

Scientifi c Validation

Vechur cow is heat and humidity tolerant. It is disease resistant. It is adaptable to low input system and it can survive coarse roughage. These facts are survived both by observation and scientifi c studies.The adaptability of the animal to the hot humid tropical countries was proven through physiological studies.

Ms. Iype invested time, energy and resources in scientific analysis of Vechur cow products. It proved that Vechur cow milk has easy digestibility. Presence of higher arginine content and presence of A-2 B Caseine in the milk was observed in research labs. Resistance to Foot and Mouth disease, tracheal worms and absence of BLAD gene are proved. The valuable germplasm of the cow is now preserved for posterity.

This smallest cow of the world, today has a place in the breed map of cattle published by National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. It is included in their Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. One cow made an entry into The Guinness book as the smallest cow of the world.

Traditional Wisdom contributes to Recovery

and Conservation

Traditional wisdom believes that Vechur cow milk and urine have medicinal value. Milk is believed to increase the intelligence of growing children. Ghee is believed to have properties to lower LDL cholesterol level in people and is good for liver problems. Pain ointments/medicated oils (Kuzhambu,Thylam) containing Vechur cow urine are considered good remedies for arthritis, muscular pain, injuries and

INDIA NATURALLY 37

skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis. Dandruff can be cured by application of raw urine. People consider cowshed in front of the house as auspicious, perhaps the underlying principle is better care of the cow. Vechur Dung is considered as the best manure for the cultivation and urine as the manure of sustained use. It increases the number of grains to the panicles, number of coconuts in the palm and adds colors to the flowers and size of the fruit increases. Hence, the dung is used in houses to smear the floor inside and the yard in front of the houses. Now most of these attributes have been scientifically proven through work in MG University, Kottayam.

Case of Vechur Cow v/s Cross- Breeds

With the increase in cost of feed, labor, fodder cultivation and grazing crossbred/exotic cattle raising has become economically unviable. Moreover, crossbreds are highly susceptible to diseases and are heat intolerant. The high tech management intensive, exotic/crossbred cows become a liability tomany farmers forcing them out of the dairy business. A breed of cow that needs nosophisticated management is a good answer for a good number of farmers.

Vechur cow rearing is a low input, “eco-friendly” system. The grass in the compound and by-products of agriculture are its feed. The use of the urine and cow manure has the potential to

replace chemical products. Now, there is a big boost to native cow keeping as many farmers switch to organic farming or “zero budget natural farming”.

Cultural Shift in acceptance

Distributing the cows to farmers by 1999 was a crucial step in the road to recover the lost breed. It took the campaign in the open. It generated awareness through demonstration. It opened wider doors for acceptance of this cow by the local farming community. Now farmers were participating in the breeding of next generation of these cows. And today it is a well-accepted breed.

The farmers of Vechur cows are spread across different economic strata. Middle class people use them for food security. It is a source of additional income through sale of milk or ghee. Organic/Natural/zero budget farmers are much interested in Vechur. A somewhat uncomfortable development however is that, those who can afford sometimes buy the cows at a fancy price. This tempts the poor to sell away the cows, though the cow is sustainable and a long-term source of nutrition security and income for them. It is a great accomplishment to the pioneers that, 30 years of their dedication and persistence have received acknowledgement from the people and the Government.


Road Ahead

Ms. Iype believes that Vechur cattle have been saved from extinction by the collective effort of the academics, voluntary organizations and the local farmers in spite of many ordeals and obstacles that the initial phase of the conservation faced. It started as a mission of a teacher, her students and some farmers and snowballed into creation of a huge community of stakeholders, cutting across professions and economic status. Vechur Conservation Association, with the membership of teachers, students and local people, had

come into existence in 1988 to initiate conservation of this breed. It is now a legally registered public trust since 1998. It is dedicated to the case of domestic animal diversity conservation.

Instead of just being yet another variety listed among the thousands that have been going into oblivion, the Vechur is now a living reality, providing farmers with a viable, economical and sustainable resource More financial support is needed to ensure that the number of these animals can be increased effectively, making them available to all on a large scale.

INDIA NATURALLY 39

Instead of just being yet another variety listed among the thousands that have been going into oblivion, the Vechur is now a living reality, providing farmers with a viable, economical and sustainable resource


Sustainable use of Biological Resources

United Nations Convention on

Biological Diversity defi nes

sustainable use as the use of

components of biological diversity in

a way and a rate that does not lead

to the long-term decline of biological

diversity, thereby maintaining its

potential to meet the needs and

aspirations of present and future

generations.

The concept of sustainable use is

inextricably linked with the need to

conserve and preserve naturally. This

is also one of the main objectives of

CBD. Article 8 (d) of the Convention

expects the parties of the convention

to promote the protection of

ecosystems, natural habitats and the

maintenance of viable population of

species in natural surroundings.

The Living Root Bridge of

Mawkyrnot is a sterling

example of sustainable use in

terms of these defi nitions.

Sustainable Fisheries through

artifi cial reefs is another

experiment to promote marine

bio-diversity while resorting to

scientifi cally sustainable fi sh

extraction for livelihoods.



What are Living Root Bridges

Living Root bridges are natural suspension bridges made by indigenous Khasi tribes of Meghalaya. The tribe uses traditional knowledge to construct these bridges by training the aerial / prop root of Ficuselastica. It is part of their traditional knowledge that this species is well adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the area, capable of sending roots that grasp on to the huge boulders on the river beds and sending secondary roots from its trunk to support itself on the river banks. Once constructed, these root bridges become sturdy and strong with time.

Village communities start the construction of living root bridges by selecting Ficus trees on the site. If trees are not already there on the site, they are planted. These bridges grow over a period of 15-40 years and can have a span of 15-250 feet to cross the gorges. The span dimensions are determined by the width of the gorge.

The average life span of the bridges is believed to be more than 500 years.

The construction of a living root bridge is well planned, collective and cooperative work. The key advantages of having these bridges include good structural toughness, resilience and progressive increase in the load bearing capacity. They have a remedial impact on the surrounding soil, water and air. The conventional bridges at such sites have great limitations; the major one being the limited life span and susceptibility to destruction by disasters. These bridges are used in the remote mountain villages of Meghalaya. A bridge comes to its full maturity over a period of 30-40 years.

Construction of such root bridges is not an easy task. The technique involves a four stage process. First stage is identification of site for planting and nurturing Ficuselastic, if the trees are not growing there already. A temporary bamboo bridge for nurturing and directing the young aerial roots of Ficuselastica is done at the second stage. Aerial roots are connected and joined in a mesh at the third stage. Successive addition of heavy stones, timber, leaves and soil for further strengthening the bridge is done at the fourth stage. For construction of the bridges about three persons are needed to work for a week


CONSTRUCTING THE LONGEST AND HIGHEST LIVING ROOT BRIDGEMAWKYRNOT VILLAGE, MEGHALAYA

CONNECTIVITY is a basic need of humans. Securing connectivity for dispersed villages, in a global biodiversity hotspot characterized by dense tropical rainforest, heavy monsoon rains, typical geography of mountains and deep gorges and far flung villages, is a big challenge. If cement concrete bridges were to be constructed for these villages, the entire hotspot would disappear and the ecology would be severely impaired.

How does one solve the dilemma of securing connectivity while not disturbing the ecology and environment? The answer is Living Root Bridge found by the indigenous Khasi tribe of Meghalaya, nearly some two centuries ago.

The village community of Mawkyrnot, Pynursula, East Khasi Hills is engaged in constructing the longest and the highest “Living Root Bridge” since 2010. The construction site is approximately 1.5 kilometers away from the road head. The track from the road head to the construction site is steep, sometimes touching almost a 90 degree angle. The community at Mawkyrnot is constructing this longest living root bridge with a span of 52 meter on a 35 to 40 meter deep gorge. To reach the site, one has to travel through the thickest of the jungle, replete with bamboo brakes, shrubberies and trees of Ficuselastica, Aesculusspp, Areca catechu etc. Another living root bridge at this site which is considered to be of the middle age is in perfect shape.


Source of Funding

Construction of root bridges does not require huge funds. No funding from any source was used for constructing the Mawkyrnot root bridge. Shri Moyarwest Khonglam, a local villager who was born and brought up in Mawkyrnot village and who leads the Self Help group of Mawkyrnot (Sengtreilang), took the initiative in constructing these living root bridges by using their traditional knowledge and own funding. Eleazer Diengdoh, whose ancestors belonged to this village, helped conceptualize this longest and highest root bridge to be constructed as a part of youth group engaged in the construction of the bridge. The practice of constructing root bridges is widely prevalent in Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya, especially in remote villages. It is replicable elsewhere with similar geographical terrain and vegetation.

Sustainability and Use Regulations

The art of directing the roots and nurturing the process of building the bridge itself is sustainable. It

does not require reconstruction and maintenance. It is an efficient use of biological and other resources. The diameter of the roots of the species used and its tensile strength increases with the passage of time and within a time frame of 30-40 years these structures become the strongest load bearing structures with no infrastructural requirement. Nevertheless, the following steps are being taken by the community to ensure sustainable use:

• Strict rules are laid by the youth group to prohibit cutting of trees in the area to increase the rate of natural replenishment.

• Burning of any kind is not allowed on or near the bridge and the adjoining rainforest to guard against any forest fire which may destroy the natural vegetation and the whole bridge itself.

• Cleanliness of the area and the bridge is maintained by the youth group and the visitors are requested to adhere to the same.


twice a year in the month of April and October. The minimum qualification is that the person should be a good climber. These persons are chosen with great care. And if at all, there is any dispute about the site or maintenance, it is resolved by collective decision. The people of Mawkyrnot have been successful in creating 2 mature bridges following this technique and are now building a bridge which will be the longest and the highest root bridge of Asia.

Why Living Root Bridges

Meghalaya is a state with highly undulating mountainous terrain. Deep gorges and thick vegetation dot the distances between villages, village habitation and farmlands of the villagers. The villagers whose major occupation was farming and livestock rearing found it almost impossible to reach their fertile landmasses and grazing lands. Crossing the river streams, deep gorges and undulating terrain posed a challenge and involved great risk to life.

Crippled by the lack of connectivity, their livelihoods and survival were at stake. When nothing helped, they found a solution in nature. With their indigenous traditional knowledge and skills, they built the Living Root Bridge by using the locally available natural resources.

Living Root Bridge v/s Conventional Bridges

As compared to their concrete counterparts which require huge investments, the Living Root Bridges are low cost bridges. They make use of the available natural resources. Apart from the quality of having exceptional robustness and resilience to withstand

any disaster, these bridges enhance the ecosystem services. They improve the quality of air, water and soil. These biological systems have a remedial effect on carbon sequestration. They act as carbon sinks, addressing the burning issues of climate change and global warming. Through these bridges, the Khasi tribes have nurtured an ecosystem and have established a permanent interdependent and interconnected nature of all life.

Advantages of Living Root Bridges can be summarized as:

1. Zero environmental damage

2. Carbon sequestration

3. Minimal or no material and maintenance cost

4. Robustness under extreme climatic conditions like storm surges and flash floods

5. Use of time tested traditional knowledge

6. Collective grass root involvement based on human ecology interactions across multiple generations

7. Improvement of surrounding soil, water and air

8. Use of local material

9. Resilience and progressive increase of load bearing capacity with time and use


The roots of the fi cus elastica are trained by placing them in a cut bamboo fi lled with sand and directed to form the bridges. If taken good care of then they even become stronger over time lending unparalleled longevity to these kinds of bridges over others.


• Use of the bridge by the local people is ensured to be within the carrying capacity of the species, used to avoid physical and natural damage.

• Maintenance work of the bridge and the adjoining area is done by the group twice a year during the monsoon period because it is the best suited period for directing the roots.

• Any kind of synthetic or man-made material is not used in the process of directing the roots and shaping the bridge.

Road Ahead

These ecology related management practices are an indispensable part of Khasi life and critically contribute to resiliency within the Khasis which have developed a unique and sustainable relationship with nature. Through an independent Village Darbar system of governance, a vision of reality, laws of inheritance and succession is being ensured. The youth group of Mawkyrnot is a small body comprising the men, women and young children living within the village. The strong moral values and the undying commitment of the community ensure the permanence of the body. The traditional knowledge and practice of living root bridge construction is passed on from generation to generation.

However, the elder community of the village is apprehensive that rising aspirations and expectations of youth do not evince enough interest in these traditional practices.

Ownership and acceptance of this traditional bio-engineering technology by the new generation is a challenge that needs to be met by widening the information base and instituting study and research opportunities of this technology. Such research may help increase the safety of the use of these bridges, especially in the initial stages and may also help compress the time to maturity.

Another area to be explored is the possibility of showcasing these nature friendly sustainable bridges through eco-tourism. Eleazer Deingdoh has a diploma in Tourism. He already dreams of linking all the living root bridges to enhance livelihoods through eco-tourism.

Once the BMCs are constituted and are functional in these areas, they may help in opening such new opportunities for livelihoods through economic conservation and nature friendly technologies. One of the tasks would be to link conservation with entrepreneurship creating alternate livelihood opportunities for the local communities.


SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY THROUGH ARTIFICIAL REEFSPARTICIPATORY LEARNING ACTION AND TRAINING (PLANT)

AN ARTIFICIAL REEF is a structure that is placed on the ocean floor to influence biological and physical processes relating to marine life. Artificial reefs are often used to attract fish to create new fishing sites. The purpose for doing so may be many. These may include regeneration of marine biodiversity, conservation of natural reefs, increasing fish catch for socio-economic uplift of fishing communities and so on. Artificial Reefs may help in conservation by acceleration of the development of a new coral reef by providing physically sound structure for coral settlement. This may also be used to create new scuba diving and snorkeling sites in an attempt to decrease the stress on natural reefs caused by human traffic.

Beginning of the Project

Participatory Learning Action Network and Training (PLANT) is a non-profit, charitable organization which works on livelihood enhancement of vulnerable communities in rural areas. Its main work lies in imparting skills and knowledge to rural communities, to enable them to increase their income. PLANT started artificial reef project in the C-Pudupet village of Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu state in the year 1999. Initially three sites were selected for the project. The objective was to create avenues of fish catch for the local fishermen community simultaneous with conservation of marine life. Approximately 90% of the fishing effort is spent in the shallow near shore waters because the fishery resources are several times higher in abundance in shallow waters than in the deeper oceanic waters. Artificial Reefs are placed on sea bed in shallow waters close to the shore.

INDIA NATURALLY 49


By introducing these complex concrete structures with more spread area, settlers and foulers are enabled to colonize on and around these structures. This leads to increase in the biodiversity of the region which in turn attracts many small fish. Gradually, the large fish also migrate into the artificial reef area and the fish start breeding on these sites. This ensures good fish availability in the artificial reef area. The traditional coastal fishermen are assured of fish availability. Generally artificial reefs are established close to the fishing villages. The fishermen need not travel much to the fishing ground. This results in fuel saving and less pollution to the sea from motorized boats. Better quality fish is procured in a short time. Fishermen get better price for better quality fish. All these activities lead to a sustained growth in the economy of the coastal fishermen and protection of coastal areas.

Project Implementation

The implementation on the site started with identification of 1000 square meters primary core

surface area close to the coastal village of C-Pudupet. The site selection was done through a consultative process in which local community, which is an organized association of fishermen and the marine biologist of the project, participated. The site selected in this case was at a distance of 10 kilometers from the coastline. This 1000 kilometers core surface area was created as an indigenous and community conserved area (ICCA’s) for basic biomass production by sinking 200 artificial reef structures in the zone. Thus,1000 square meters area was available to the settlers and foulers to colonize on these structures, which in turn increased the biodiversity of the region where the artificial reef are installed. Adjoining 5000 square meters of area was designated as secondary core protected area which supports secondary and tertiary producers over a short time period of 6 months. An area of 10000 square meters around this 1000 +5000 square area was designated as buffer zone, which serves as a significant coastal ecosystem reserve with improved conservation status and supports wide variety of biomass.

INDIA NATURALLY 51

Three types and shapes of reef structures of cement concrete were deployed to cater to different habitat requirements of marine bio-fauna. It has been observed that such a mix increases spread area of the bottom surface of the sea and leads to an increase in the complexity of the ecological niche in the shallow waters. This complexity in turn leads to an increase in the population of various invertebrates and vertebrates in the area of the artifi cial reef.

Multifold increase in the biodiversity of the area successively leads to an increase in fish populations. Since trawl fishing cannot take place in this area.10000 sq. m area is available for the production of wholesome bio mass, devoid of the ill effects of mechanized bottom trawling in the artificial reef zone

Immediately after the deployment of artifi cial reef structures, biological fouling, an accumulation process of micro-organisms, algae and diatoms, plants, and animals, started taking place on surfaces of the artifi cial reef structures.

The biodiversity community that eventually came into existence consisted of representatives of seven phyla and about 38 species i.e. 8 polychaetous annelids, 9 crustaceans, 7 mollusks, 6 coelenterates, 2 bryozoans and 2 others. The amphipod crustaceans, three caprellids and three tube-building gammatid amphipods were the earliest and most abundant settling foulers. This unexpectedly high abundance of amphipod crustaceans is assumed to result from the high turgidity in the study area.

Within a few weeks of sinking the reefs, scuba divers observed lobsters on the reef, even though the reef blocks had been deposited on flat sand some 3 km distance from the nearest natural lobster ground. Epibiota showed seasonal variations in abundance throughout the year overlain with a progression in the numbers of species present and a maturation of the population towards the epibiotic populations seen on local rocky terrain.

The most numerous shoaling fish congregating around the reef units have been the caranagids and rays,


Diagrammasp, butterfly fish, squirrel fish, groupers, sweet-lipped breams, red snappers, catfish, small coloured coral fishes like the blue damsel, wrasses and dumbheads. Shoal size was commonly estimated at around 200 individuals per reef unit.

The samples collected from artificial reefs in Pudupet and other reef zones showed a standing stock biomass of sessile epibenthos of 2,586 to 3,998 g/m2 on horizontal surfaces and 4,821 to 7,992 g/m2 on vertical surfaces. An average sessile biomass was estimated to be 1,983 g/m2 on the exposed outside of concrete reef structures and 3,813 g/m2 on the protected interior of the reef structure along the Bay of Bengal.

Sustainability of the Project

Initial studies indicate that the deployment of artifi cial reefs along the shallow coastal water tends to yield good results in improving the fi sh catch; betters the social and economic status of the coastal community through better livelihood opportunities. Though it is early to gauge long term ecosystem impact, regulated activity in the area and congregation of biodiversity shows signs of ecosystem improvement.

Fish production by the coastal fisher men leads to a better benefit sharing of the biological resources among the different marine fisheries sectors. The economic benefits include better quality fresh fish

caught from a nearby artificial reef area which fetch better return from the market. There is a saving on the fuel, time and human energy expenditure. Prevention of bottom trawling in the artificial reef areas creates a mini marine protected area which serves as a micro reserve forests in the sea, providing continued recruitment of young ones into the populations of the respective species.

One view is that, when compared to the adverse observation that the artifi cial reefs attract the fi sh population of the nearby area leading to faster depletion of the stock of the fi shery resources, the quantum of the positive impact of artifi cial reefs are much greater.

Sustainability Enforced by the Community

After the deployment of artificial reefs, the village committee has played a regulating and protecting role through regular monitoring. A Village Monitoring Committee (VMC) constituted for this purpose advised their community of fishermen to do fishing after the maturation period of six months to one year of deploying the artificial reefs. Fishing is allowed by members on rotation. The number of fishermen that can go and fish per day is decided by the VMC, in consultation with the community, taking note of the over-all situation. They have decided to do hook and line fishing and cage fishing only in this area. Eventually, the trawler and FRP Boats using gill net cannot do fishing in the artificial reef zone as

INDIA NATURALLY 53

their nets and gears can get damaged. This ensures conservation and prolific growth in the area.

Participatory Management

In fact, artificial reefs also serve as a fence to the marginalized fishermen by protecting their fishing ground within 5 nautical miles off the shore. In this way the artificial reefs protect coastal biodiversity against local threats.

Mostly the artificial reef project has been implemented by the community by themselves by adopting participatory approach. They exercise full control

over managing the project. Sometimes conflicts take place within the fishermen, which are solved by the Association or the government officials. The fishermen also use the latest technology of GPS - Global Positioning System to locate the artificial reef zone. They keep the GPS point confidentially without revealing to outsiders.

They have their own social control system to ensure that all the fishermen in the village abide by customary law practices to conserve the fishery resource. Regulations put in place by the VMC and the Association do not allow over exploitation of the fishery resources in the artificial reef zone.


Economic Returns

The fishermen in an Artificial Reef zone get around 3000 kg to 5000 kg of fish in a month. This supports more than 600 families in C-Pudupet village. All three artificial reef zones together get up to 10000 tons of fish per month which is valued at approximately Rs.15 Lakhs income to the 1200 families. It comes to Rs.12,500 per family which is considered a good boost to their livelihood.

Participation of Women

As a routine practice in all the fishing villages in Tamil Nadu, as soon as the newly caught arrives on the shore, women take lead role in auctioning and selling the fish in the market. Since the fish caught in the artificial reef zone is fresh and women can bargain for a better price with the traders, it provides additional income to the family and the women in the village. The economic empowerment of women through increased catch in the reef zone have contributed to a healthy life and increased self confidence and self-esteem for them. The fishing community women have developed a strong bargaining power with this reinforced confidence. They negotiate with traders and keep themselves aware of the existing market trends of the fish in other markets, adopting information and communication technologies. Women contribute to sustainable fishery by insisting on fishing as per the carrying capacity of the area. They have taken to planting trees in their houses and public places to develop home herbal gardens, using organic manures for the cultivation and to using solar and smokeless stove, etc.

Spin offs and Scaling up

Fish catch is a delicate food item. It needs a regular supply of ice to keep it fresh and get good price in the market. Buying ice from the market for improved quantum in catch at the required time added to the costs. To cater to the needs of fishermen, an Ice plant has been established, through a collaborative project of the community, Panchayat and Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS).

The community provided the land. An amount of Rs. 16 lakh was given by the Panchayat for construction of the building. MAPS/Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCL) gave the machinery worth Rs. 20 lakh. This plant is managed, maintained and run by the community themselves. Also, based on the study and analysis of the projects already undertaken by PLANT, MAPS, a unit of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCL), Kalpakkam, has funded four artificial reef sites at a cost of Rs. 80 lakhs. Tamil Nadu State Fishery Department have appreciated this and standardized this participatory fabrication and deployment module to replicate the project in other sites in this state.

Revolving Fund for Contingencies and Sustainability

The VMC collects 10% to 15% of income earned out of fishing conducted in the artificial reef zone. In most of the cases this fund has been converted into a Community Based Revolving Fund. Women and the villagers avail themselves of the revolving funds for their emergency needs such as education fees for children, marriage in the family, health treatment and other similar celebration expenses. The primary objective of the Revolving Fund is to give access to the benefits of the fund to the community and share the profit equally with all beneficiaries in the village. Some part of the fund is proposed to be used for bio-diversity conservation activities for the sustainable use of resources within the village.

Capacity Building and Ownership at Local Level

PLANT team regularly collects the fish catch data of different species and varieties of the fish caught from the artificial reef zone. In the process local fishermen add knowledge about new nuances to their traditional knowledge of marine biodiversity. VMC

INDIA NATURALLY 55

has formulated a set of rules and regulation to conduct responsible fishing in the reef zone in consultation with the local community. This itself has been a major step forward in the negotiating capacities and self-confidence of the communities. The primary rule insists that fishermen adopt hook and line fishing method, and to use cage in the bottom to catch fish. They are all advised not to use inappropriate gears in the reef zone so that the sustainable use of resources is ensured. That these rules have been discussed and decided through the general meeting ensures a strong social ownership and control and encourages responsible fishing method. The following state and central government agencies extended their support during the implementation of the project.

Support from other Agencies and Funding

PLANT and the local community were supported in the project by Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Central Institute of Brackish Water Aqua culture, Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA),Central Institute of Fishery Technology (CIFT), Tamil Nadu State Fisheries and Ministry of Shipping .

Road Ahead

There is excitement over the experience of artificial reefs for their potential to host and increase marine flora and fauna and create livelihood enhancement opportunities for economically struggling communities of small fishermen. However, after that there is a point of debate whether there are more Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) bringing in fish from natural reefs or actually host spawn and increase in marine flora and fauna. Further research on the subject may set the debate at rest. The fact however remains that, artificial reefs to increase fish yield have been used for centuries all across the globe. Rubble, rocks, logs from huts and similar objects have been used in the past and are perhaps used even in some areas to increase fish catch. In Tamil Nadu itself, in villages like C- Pudupet, fish farmers used to deploy tree branches of Pongamia pinnata at about 10 kilometers for creating fishing opportunities. Tree branches would either degrade or get washed away by strong water currents. The process of such deployment was often repeated. The cement concrete structures of various shapes and sizes as deployed under the project hold a promise of a permanent habitat for marine flora and fauna thereby enhancing the livelihood opportunities for small fishermen.


Successful Mechanisms for Access and Benefi t SharingFair and equitable sharing of benefi ts arising out of the use of biological

resources and traditional knowledge is another one of the main

objectives of CBD interlinked with conservation and sustainable use.

Relevant provisions of Article 15 of the Convention are –

Access, where granted, shall be on mutually agreed terms and

subject to the provisions of this Article.

Access to genetic resources shall be subject to prior informed

consent of the Contracting Party providing such resources, unless

otherwise determined by that Party.

Each Contracting Party shall take legislative, administrative or

policy measures, as appropriate, and in accordance with Articles

16 and 19 and, where necessary, through the fi nancial mechanism

established by Articles 20 and 21 with the aim of sharing enough

fair and equitable way the results of research and development

and the benefi ts arising from the commercial and other utilization

of genetic resources with the Contracting Party providing such

resources. Such sharing shall be upon mutually agreed terms.

Another directly relevant Article is Article 8 (J) which states , “Subject

to its national legislation, respect, preserve and maintain knowledge,

innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities

embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and

sustainable use of biological diversity and promote holders of such

knowledge, innovations and practices and encourage the equitable

sharing of the benefi ts arising from the utilization of such knowledge,

innovations and practices.”

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Guidelines entailed Notifi cation

dated 21 November 2014 issued by National Biodiversity Authority lay

down detailed parameters and procedures for access to and sharing

benefi ts arising from the use of such access to biological resources and

associated traditional knowledge.

Gram Mooligai Co. Ltd has succeeded in getting benefi ts both in cash and

kind to the medicinal plant collectors and cultivators of 4 states.

IIOR is a good example of a case of institute which has taken initiative

to share the benefi ts arising out of the results of its research with the

local communities and designated institutions such as State Biodiversity

Boards and Biodiversity Management Committees.


BENEFIT SHARING FOR ACCESS TO BIO-RESOURCESGRAM MOOLIGAI CO. LTD (GMCL)

THE GRAM MOOLIGAI CO. LTD (GMCL) is a public limited company. It was registered in India in the year 2000. Its share-holders comprise 42 cooperative groups of collectors and cultivators of medicinal plants in Tamil Nadu. In addition, trading of medicinal plants and their by-products collected by cooperative groups of collectors and cultivators of states of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh is done through GMCL.

Objectives of GMCL

The primary objectives of GMCL are to promote and maintain sustainable cultivation and utilization of medicinal plants (MP) and to plough back the benefits from such cultivation and utilization to rural communities engaged in the same. A supplementary aim is also to educate the consumer about MPs and MP based products.

GMCL enters into contracts with companies like Dabur, Himalaya and Nature Remedies to supply them quality raw material of medicinal plants and their by-products accessed from these groups. Access to these is provided by the groups of collectors and cultivators in the four states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu with their Prior Informed Consent. The understanding between GMCL and these groups and expectations from each other covers the following-

From collectors/cultivators

1. That harvesting would be done at proper time applying sustainable extraction practices

2. That quality parameters of the material would be ensured

INDIA NATURALLY 59

From GMCL

1. It would provide training and skills in cultivation and sustainable harvesting to members of the groups

2. It would determine quality parameters and train the groups in securing these parameters

3. It would get remunerative and fair price for the produce and share it with the groups equitably.

Nature and Extent of Benefi t Sharing

Monetary Benefi ts

GMCL gets a higher than usual market price of medicinal plants and their by-products because of quality control and quality assurance of the material. 70% of this premium price is passed on the groups of cultivators and collectors. GMCL pays dividends to its share-holder groups from whatever is its own profit. Groups of cultivators and collectors from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa, which are not share-holders, receive some share out of these profits as festival bonus and similar ex-gratia payments from time to time.

Benefi ts in kind

Benefits to cultivators and collectors in kind are given by providing them training of Good Collection Practices (GCP). Training programs are arranged village wise just before the collection season. A manual of quality of raw drugs for good collection practices (GCP) is prepared and distributed to gatherer groups to ensure sustainability and quality of the produce. The training is imparted through illustrated methodology manual in local language. This ensures avoiding reckless harvest. The Thumb rule mainly followed is “harvest only matured produce” as it ensures the product quality and earns better price and assured market. An example of the good collection practice (GCP) tips taught to be used by the GMCL gatherers are based on traditional practices and publications of Indian Institute of Forest management (IIFM), Bhopal -

Collect after the seeds are shed to facilitate regeneration.

Do not dig too deep for collection of roots and spare some roots part for regeneration.

Collect products when fully matured. Often a festival celebrated before harvest.


Do not cut or pull branches for collecting leaves, fruits, flowers, and so on.

Harvest only mature branches for stem.

Harvest bark from mature plant only; from the branches of the main trunk.

Strip the bark longitudinally and not from all around trunk/branches.

Harvest the seeds once the fruits are completely mature.

For collection of gums, oils, resins etc. the instructions given are-

Make incisions only vertically on some portions of the tree and not horizontally.

Treat the incisions after collection of the desired material with soil, cow-dung.

Do not collect the gum or resin from a tree continuously. Give some break from time to time

Do not leave collected gum/resin exposed in the field. Pack them in drums.

The material adhering only to the above protocols is stored, packed and labeled by GMCL and its passport data sheets are prepared to share with BMC buyer as needed. This ensures both quality and sustainability.

INDIA NATURALLY 61

Immature, half cut/damaged or poor quality/infected produce is avoided at source rather than be taken to face rejection by the client.

Training is also organized for value addition to medicinal plant products. This value addition includes traditional practices based principles and techniques and modern practices and tools. However, GMCL only imparts training in this and does not use or pass on any traditional knowledge or practice to buyers.

Memorandum of Understanding with

State Biodiversity Boards

GMCL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Access and Benefit Sharing with State Biodiversity Board of Madhya Pradesh (MPSBB) on 20February 2013. According to the MoU, GMCL pays 2% of its sales income as royalty to M.P State Biodiversity Board. The benefit sharing fee amounts to Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 1 lakh a year to MPSBB based on the sale value of this material from this sale. Similar benefit sharing arrangements apply to the state of Orissa as voluntary standard. Similarly arrangements are under consideration for other states. GMCL procures the raw drugs from Orissa with transit pass from the local forest officer and a permit from Panchayat, after paying the requisite fee as required by Local Panchayat Regulation 2000.

Road Ahead

GMCL helps about 1,000 tribal producers earn better through training, capacity building and awareness programmes and eventually giving them a remunerative market linkage. For these resource poor farmers, living in the drought prone areas, it ensures livelihoods through cultivation, conservation and sustainable use of resources. The case is a good beginning for equitable benefits to medicinal plant cultivators and gatherers for the access they provide to their material including the by-products of medicinal plants. The scientific cultivation and good returns from medicinal plants provide an additional source of income to the farmers which are essential for sustenance especially in times of drought and climate change when the crops fail to give expected returns. Farmers in other parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa face severe stress on this account and are sometimes driven to life threatening actions in such times. But the benefits arising from the cultivation and sale of medicinal plants support the livelihoods and enhance the income of the communities covered by this arrangement with GMCL. While it is a good model for sustainable cultivation, harvesting and benefit sharing with the farmers, there is a scope to explore possibilities of value addition at source to generate further benefits to these groups of cultivators and gatherers.


ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING A MODEL FROM THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF OILSEEDS RESEARCH (IIOR)

THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF OILSEEDS RESEARCH (IIOR), formerly called Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR) under Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), came into existence on August 1, 1977 with Headquarters at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Its current mandate includes research and development (R&D) work on oilseed crops such as castor, safflower, sunflower, sesame, niger and linseed. Its R&D is aimed at enhancing productivity of mandated crops through basic, strategic and applied research, optimizing technologies to maximize production and minimize crop losses due to pests and diseases, disseminating improved technologies to stakeholders. Developing bio-pesticides through R&D for these crops has been one of its notable achievements. It forms the subject of this case.

Access to Bio-resources

IIOR accessed following microbial bio-resources for R&D to develop eco-friendly insect pest and plant disease management of some of its mandated crops. Specifically following material was collected from different sites.

• Among the different isolates collected, IIOR Bt-1, a local isolate of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) var. kurstaki was isolated from a dead larva of castor semilooper Achaea janata from a castor field in Kothakota, Mahabubnagar district, Telangana in 2000. This was before Biological Diversity Act, 2002 hereinafter referred to as Act, 2002 came into force.

• Trichiodermaviride B-16 wascollected from Kothagudem BMC, Nalgonda (District), Telangana State and Trichodermaharzianum Th4d was collected from Gurajala Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) (Grampanchayat), Guntur(District), Andhra Pradesh.

INDIA NATURALLY 63

• Collection of Biological resources (Helianthus annus) (Sunflower hybrid - Seed) Transgenic event No-481) was done from Directorate of Oil seeds Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad by M/s Ganga Kaveri Seeds Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad.

Results of Research

Research was carried out to standardize the mass production of the Bt isolate through solid state fermentation for making the product available at an affordable price. The Bt obtained was formulated as a wettable powder and evaluated against castor semilooper in farmers' fields in Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts and in the AICRP, Pigeon pea centers. Data was generated on toxicology, chemistry, bio-efficacy, shelf-life etc. as per the guidelines. The formulation was registered with the Central Insecticides Board, GOI in the year 2005. The formulation was evaluated for lepidopteron pests of Castor and Pigeon pea and was found to be effective in controlling the said insect pest.

After its research, IIOR successfully developed bio-pesticide formulations from the above mentioned resources for managing the diseases and insect pests of the target agricultural crops. These Bio-pesticides are eco-friendly and non-toxic in controlling the biotic stresses. They directly control target insect pests and diseases. Bio-agents like Trichoderma have the ability to promote plant growth and include defense response against biotic and abiotic stresses in crops. Use of these bio-pesticides on large scale can substantially reduce a variety of serious health risks faced by the mass of rural agricultural workers and farmers through use of toxic chemical pesticides. Bio-pesticides in addition are human health friendly because they check the consumption of contaminated food grown with the help of indiscriminate use of toxic chemical pesticides.

By adopting these eco-friendly measures the agricultural biodiversity of associated benefi cial fl ora and fauna can also get augmented and conserved.


Transfer of Results of Research and Benefi t Sharing

In view of the utility of this bio-pesticide in controlling the Lepidopteron pests, it was necessary to license this technology to Public and Private bio-pesticide entrepreneurs for mass production and sale in the market to reach the farmers. Since by this time Act, 2002 had come into effect, IIOR submitted the Form-II applications to National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in compliance with the provisions of the Act, 2002 for transferring the research results to two private companies i.e. M/s. MaaBhagwathi& M/s Poabs Biotech) for commercial purpose.

Both the companies submitted Form-I to the State Biodiversity Boards of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for having access to the biological resources from IIOR along with the technology. The Boards has approved the proposals and entered into Access and benefit sharing (ABS) agreements. The Benefit sharing part will be received after commercialization of bio-pesticide. Mutually agreed terms and conditions shall be followed as per the ABS agreement.

In all eight ABS agreements pertaining to Telangana have already been entered into and four more are in the pipeline. Besides these, five agreements falling outside Telangana State jurisdiction have been entered into/ are in pipeline. Information on these has been shared with the National Biodiversity Authority.

The benefit sharing component out of the commercial production shall be worked out based on the annual ex-factory gross sales minus (deduct) Government taxes, towards benefit sharing to the Telangana State Biodiversity Board as per the Guidelines on Access to Biological Resources and Associated Knowledge and Benefit Sharing Regulations, 2014, hereinafter referred to as Guidelines 2014.

The State Biodiversity Board intends to transfer 95% of the funds to the concerned Biodiversity Management Committee. The BMCs are expected to get Rs 10 lakh per year from the two companies out of these agreements from mid- 2016 onwards.

INDIA NATURALLY 65

Other Benefi ts to Local Communities

IIOR has paid Rs. 25,000 to BMC Kothakota through Telangana State Biodiversity Board for licensing DOR Bt-1 formulations to different biopesticide entrepreneurs and IIOR has also paid Rs.10,000 to BMC Kothagudem through Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board for licensing DOR Trichodermaviride B-16 formulations to different bio-pesticide entrepreneurs. This was an act of a responsible research organization even before the Guidelines, 2014 became effective. Further, IIOR is sharing 3% of the license fee charged from entrepreneurs with State Biodiversity Boards.

BMCs' are utilizing funds already transferred by IIOR and the companies for organizing bio-diversity related meetings, discussions, awareness campaigns and education at the village level. Monetary benefits in the future will be deposited in the BMC accounts as Local Biodiversity Fund and the fund is proposed to be utilized for conservation of biological resources of the area, regeneration of rare and endangered species and other related activities. These activities are expected to enhance livelihoods and promote conservation.

The Kothakota and Kothagudem villages have significant Scheduled caste and Scheduled tribe population and most of the farmers fall in marginal/


small category. The sizable SC and ST population is very much vulnerable insofar as the agriculture production and productivity are concerned. Excessive use of chemical pesticides is resulting in environmental pollution leading to health hazards to rural people, cattle and soil and water contamination. The microbial pesticides which they would get now are cost-effective and offer several advantages in terms of being target-specific. They reduce health risks, as food without chemical residues is healthy for all. Promotion of eco-friendly biological agents for pest management will also lead to conservation of biological diversity of the beneficial fauna and flora giving multiple benefits to their society.

IIOR has assessed that the use of Bacillus thuringenisis var. Kurstaki for management of castor semilooper on castor crop by farmers in Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts has already led to an overall income increase of Rs. 2570 – 3791 per hectare compared to the chemical pesticide use. The Institute maintains a live contact with farmers for imparting knowledge in improved agriculture practices.

Compliance with other relevant

Provisions of the Act, 2002

The bio-resources or associated processes emanating from research using the above mentioned microbial forms have been filed for patenting after submitting Form-III to National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in compliance with the provisions of the Act, 2002. Also a slant (bio-pesticide) of the biological resources along with technology will be kept with Indian repository to comply with the Act, 2002. These biological resources (bacteria) are collected only initially which will be later multiplied after entering into agreements with the BMCs by the concerned industries. There is no threat to the biological resources since it is a soil bacterium.

Conclusion

IIOR is the first ICAR institute to take up the initiative to follow the National Biological Diversity Act, 2002 in accessing local biological resources by obtaining necessary permissions, for their research patents and commercial exploitation. This is also the first instance of accessing microbial resources with intimation to respective SBBs and NBA. This initiative can serve as a Model for other research and open a path for others.

INDIA NATURALLY 67

Monetary benefi ts in the future will be deposited in the BMC accounts as Local Biodiversity Fund and the fund is proposed to be utilized for conservation of biological resources of the area, regeneration of rare and endangered species and other related activities. These activities are expected to enhance livelihoods and promote conservation.

Biodiversity Management CommitteesBiodiversity Management Committee is the

grassroots level institution in the three tier

structure for Bio-diversity governance and

management provided for in The Biological

Diversity Act, 2002. Section 41 (1) of the

Act 2002 mandates –

“Every local body shall constitute a

Biodiversity Management Committee

within its area for the purpose of

promoting conservation, sustainable use

and documentation of biological diversity

including preservation of habitats,

conservation of land races, folk varieties

and cultivars, domesticated stocks and

breeds of animals and microorganisms

and chronicling of knowledge relating to

biological diversity.”

BMC’s namely Niitii Hong and Dudhai

have done path breaking work in their

respective areas.


INDIA NATURALLY 71

Constitution of BMC

BMC was constituted in July 2011 with 7 members. These included a Chairperson, a secretary and 5 other members. Representation of OBC, SC and women was ensured in the composition of the BMC. State Biodiversity Board supported the capacity building of the BMC members to orient them to their roles and responsibilities.

With the knowledge so provided, and a determination to make improvement in the deteriorating ecology of the area and livelihoods of the people, the BMC held 22 meetings in a span of 5 years. In these meetings vital decisions for rehabilitating the degraded areas and protecting the environment were taken. Continuous dialogue with the village people and sharing all information with them secured their involvement and commitment to all the decisions.

BMC, in this way has exercised powers assigned to it by the Biological Diversity Act and discharged its responsibilities with exemplary commitment and a measure of great success.

Major achievements of the BMC

Documentation of the local knowledge and

associated traditional knowledge

BMC has prepared People’s Biodiversity Register. It enlists 75 tree species, 60 species of Medicinal plants, 331 species of other plants, 18 species of traditional varieties and cultivars and 201 species of animals. Animals include mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, insects etc. Also, with the help of a Technical Support Group, Biodiversity Cultural Protocol (BCP) has been documented. BCP captures information about the geographical location, demography, terrain cultural practices, traditions, lifestyle and knowledge sharing patterns of the village. It functions as a gazetteer of the village collating all relevant information about the topography and lifestyle of the village.

In BCP, a protocol for Access and Benefi t Sharing (ABS) has been laid down. This protocol defi nes the terms and conditions for access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge and sharing of benefi ts arising out of their use.


DUDHAI BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

DUDHAI BMC was constituted in the year 2011 in accordance with section 41 (1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It falls in the area of Gram Panchayat Dudhai. It is located in the lower Shiwalik region of the Himalayas at a distance of 27 kilometers from Dehradun city of Uttarakhand. The village has an area of 451 hectares of which 328 hectares is covered by forests. Of the remaining area, 97 hectares is agricultural land. Rest of the land includes grazing /common lands, abadi etc. The village has 128 families. 60 of these families are below poverty line. About 52% of the total workers are engaged in marginal activities.

The collective local memory recalls this village as a biodiversity rich area till 1990. After 1990, the forests came under stress due to increasing human population on one hand and repeated forest fires on the other. By the end of the first decade of the current century, complete degradation of the forests and forest ecosystem surrounding the Gram Panchayat had taken place. Local population was in despair because living with forest had been their way of life. Sand - mining of the river bed Swarna which flows through the village had further added to the travails of the local people by laying open their fertile agricultural lands to the river waters and soil erosion.

Under pressure to eke out a living, people resorted to uncontrolled and unwise extraction of plant species like Gilloy, (Tinosporacordifolia) and Kingore (Berberisaristata), Kali Musli (Curculigoorchioides) and Kalihari (Gloriosasuperba). The forest fires destroyed the habitats of visitor birds and other fauna leading to barrenness of the area. By the time BMC was constituted in 2011. Dudhai no longer emitted the care- free and happy air of a village lying in the foothills of Himalayas.

INDIA NATURALLY 73

New initiatives

Having created People’s Biodiversity Register and addressing the burning issues at the time of its constitution, Dudhai BMC is on the path of further developments and innovations to make its initiatives and existence sustain in the long run. A Medicinal Plant Garden on 5 hectare area of Panchayat land is planned with the help of Gram Panchayat, Forest Department, Uttarakhand State Biodiversity Board and Technical Support Group.

Locally found species of plants namely Trifala, Harad, Baheda and Aonwla will be planted in the garden. Economic returns from these are expected to raise the incomes of the local people. Village community is naturally quite excited about the prospect of this garden.

In a bid to raise financial resources to be self –reliant and also to ensure sustainable harvesting of resources, BMC has decided to levy collection fee equivalent to 1% of the total market value of the biological resource being extracted. This collection fee shall be in addition to the benefit sharing as per Mutually Agreed Terms

for access granted to resources in this area. The BMC has already been in receipt of Rs 1235/- as collection fee.

Principles of Extraction of Resources

BMC has instituted following broad principles for any extraction of biological resources:

(i) No outsider shall be allowed to access any biological resource for commercial purpose from the area unless permitted by BMC.

(ii) Exploitation for commercial purpose shall be allowed under Mutually Agreed Terms and conditions.

(iii) The opinion of SBB Uttarakhand shall be taken before allowing any access to biological resources for commercial or research purpose.

(iv) No activity shall be carried out which adversely effects conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.


This is a major milestone in the achievement of objectives of the BMC. It works as a facilitation instrument in securing sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefi t arising out of any use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.

Reviving the River ecosystem and wetland ecosystem

A seasonal river Swarna flows through the village. This river was an easy target of the illegal sand miners. Indiscriminate sand mining had led to erosion of top soil of agricultural land in the vicinity and render the whole area nearly unproductive and ecologically fragile.

With the support of the local community the BMC has successfully banned the illegal sand mining. Nearly 2-3 years of such strict ban on illegal sand mining have shown signs of regeneration of river ecosystem.The agricultural lands are protected.

BMC has been successful in this because it worked for checking the mining with the complete involvement of the residents who maintain a strict vigil in the area.

Saving Forests

Forest fires had been repeatedly devastating the forests. With the support of Gram Panchayat and Forest Department, BMC organized awareness campaigns to educate people on the possible reasons of forest fires and measures to prevent the occurrence of such fires. Such has been the impact of this activity that the village has not had any incidence of forest fire in the forest area lying within its jurisdiction for the past 5 years. Considerable increase in forest covers has been observed during past five years. The spin off gains for ecological environment and other natural resources have been sizeable. Significant increase in the availability of wild plant species such as Adina cordifoliaRoxb.,TectonagrandisL.f., Terminaliabelerica(Gaertn.) Roxb, ToonaciliataRoem, ShorearobustaRoth., etc has been noted. Increase in the population size of wild animals especially leopard and wild boar has been observed during last 05 years. Some incidences of cattle/dog lifting by leopard do occur but the local people have never retaliated. A significant increase in the population of butterflies and bees has also been observed.In spite of the increase in human population, negative trends in the availability of medicinal plants have not occurred in the area.


Future Outlook

To make the area rich in biodiversity so as to become financially self-reliant by means of sustainable exploitation of biological resources, one of the main area of focus of the BMC is intelligently implement the provisions of ABS and levy viable collection charges

so that its activities of biodiversity conservation may continue uninterrupted which may otherwise be affected due to financial hardships. Although this approach is altogether new for the BMC it is committed to learn its lessons through the approach of “learning by doing”. Further with the support of Gram Panchayat, it plans to-

INDIA NATURALLY 75

(i) Create alternative livelihood opportunities for the local people in the activities of conservation by having new and innovative ideas.

(ii) Continuously remind people through collective activities and meetings of the area of the benefits of eco-services provided by nature so as to promote the process of conservation.

(iii) Most of the farmers in the village have adopted organic farming. BMC plans to encourage organic farming by all to rid the soil and water of the area from chemical and inorganic load.

(iv) Secure necessary funds by leveraging different kinds of Government schemes under implementation in the area.

(v) Involve all the stakeholders, specially marginalized people in the process of biodiversity conservation.

BMC has been recognized for its path breaking work. It attracts visitors to see its work. It was a tribute to its work that Dudhai Gram Panchayat hosted the visit of trainees of Nepal in 2014.

This Gram Panchayat also had the honor to host the visit of the representation of SAARC nations participating in the “Regional Experts workshop on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefi t Sharing in Hindu Kush Himalayan Region” held on 25-27 November, 2014 at Dehradun.

During the visit, the practices of community and its efforts for conservation and community participation were shared with the participants.


BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE NIITII HONG

BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE NIITII HONG was constituted in 2009. It is situated in lower Subansiri district of Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. It is 112 kilometers away from Itanagar, the capital of the state. Ziro Valley has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is inhabited by the Apatani tribe which is one of the major ethnic groups of Western Himalayas. The tribe is subdivided in to a number of clans. The land use pattern of the village is unique in terms of vegetation and ownership. Almost every house in the village has agricultural landholdings where they practice paddy-pisciculture. The Sacred groves surround the entire village. The forest of the village comprises private forests, clan forests, community forests, deemed community forests and community conserved areas. These areas are distinctly demarcated. About 90% of the villagers are involved in agricultural activities and the rest are engaged in marginal activities.

BMC comprises the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and other members including the Range Officer and Forest Guard from the Forest Department. Representation of SC and women has been ensured in the composition of the BMC. The Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board has appointed 8 technical support groups to help the BMC operate in an efficient manner. The area of jurisdiction under the BMC is 2250 hectares.

Challenges and Task before BMC

The BMC was constituted at a time when the village was already on a dangerous path of destruction of its beautiful natural environment. Rampant illegal felling of trees for timber had been happening since the year 2000.

INDIA NATURALLY 77


Merciless hunting of the local fauna was taking place. Excessive dumping of the waste in the local water bodies had caused contamination of water and soil resources. It was now threatening the very health of the residents. This onslaught was let loose by the outsiders driven by greed and a complete lack of concern for the local environment. Village community

had also contributed to this for their own purpose. The outsiders had no concern for the environment and this destruction. They were simply driven by greed for money. The integrity of the ecosystem and the biodiversity of the area were severely threatened. For the local communities dependent on the forest and biological resources for their sustenance, this was no less than a major disaster in the waiting which threatened the very existence of the village.

Naturally the first area of prime concern was to stop the rampant destruction taking place.

BMC responded to the challenge by instituting a strong monitoring system of the area. All the trees and bio resources were counted and numbered. Patrolling beats were demarcated. Responsibility was allocated to the members of community/BMC for patrolling. Patrolling team members were given the responsibility of keeping a track of availability of bio resources.

If any bio resource became hard to collect or showed sign of stress due to extraction, the matter was required to be reported to the BMC. BMC in turn deemed such a resource as Rare Resource. Its extraction and usage was restricted. The information regarding the so deemed Rare Resource was widely broadcast among the community. This strong policy decision coupled with effective monitoring led to viable system of concurrent regeneration and sustainable harvesting of resources.

INDIA NATURALLY 79

Seriousness of the commitment to monitoring can be gauged from the fact that to give an effective and distinctive identity to the patrolling groups, 120 Identity Cards have been issued to the local people by the District Authorities. These identity cards are used during patrolling against illegal hunting of wild animals, birds & fishing, illegal collection of indigenous and GSMP medicinal plants and illegal felling of trees etc.

Enforcing Government regulations

District Administration and Forest & Environment Department had issued Executive orders under Section 144 of CRPC to ban hunting of wild animals and birds and illegal felling of trees. These orders had largely remained ineffective.

Hunting continued by use of sophisticated weapons regardless of the ban orders. Illegal felling of trees continued with powered hands and sophisticated machines. Illegal fishing in river bodies continued using bleaching powder, electric shock and blasting. Wild animals and birds continued to be sold in Hapoli and Old Ziro Market.

BMC took up the challenge to give effect to the regulatory orders of the government authorities with the help of its members and the local community. Strict patrolling and creation of awareness has helped to put a check on the illegal activities.

As a constant reminder of the duties of all, it installed 35 signboards at different strategic locations which tap into the deep cultural heritage of the local community of living in harmony with nature. The strategy has proved effective because culturally the community shares a spiritual connection with the environment.

Care of Sacred Groves

The village is surrounded by sacred groves. These have been traditionally conserved. The community shares a strong bondage with them. Their customary practices and strong beliefs obligate them to do penance if they harm any element of these groves or even pluck any leaves unauthorizedly. BMC has added a further dimension to it.


BMC has prepared an inventory of the bio-resources present in these groves to guard against any external threat including encroachment by modern materialistic outlook of resources not so spiritually rooted in nature as their traditional culture.

Reinforcing Healthy Traditions and Practices

Local clan systems and tribe systems are strong in this area. They ensure annual maintenance of irrigation channels, prevention of destruction of harvest by animals, nature friendly agricultural activities and celebration of religious and cultural festivals. People believe in the oneness of all living creatures from the tiniest to the mightiest on the premise that every living organism has a role to play in Nature. BMC

has further strengthened these systems and tenets. It has held awareness campaigns to reinforce the values and to make growing children accept and adopt these healthy cultural practices.

Creating Medicinal Plant Conservation Area

BMC Hong has initiated and developed Medicinal Plant Conserved Area (MPCA) at HakheTari with the help of Local Management Group (LMG) under the aegis of State Medicinal Plant Board. This is a scientifically developed MPCA. Buffer zone and Core zone have been demarcated. Nobody is allowed in the core zone. Extraction from the buffer zone can be done only after the permission from BMC is sought and granted.

INDIA NATURALLY 81

People’s Biodiversity Register

An area so rich in Nature and bio-resources, systems and cultural practices is bound to have rich information about the resources and their use. The BMC, Hong (Niitii) has prepared the “People Biodiversity Register” (PBR) in accordance with the guidelines of National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Chennai. This document provides information on the local name, use, habitat, status and source of different species of crop plants, fruit plants, fodder crops, weeds, ornamental plants, medicinal plants, timber plants, domesticated plants and aquatic biodiversity. Further, since 2010, the BMC has been observing important days such as World Environment Day, World Wildlife Week, International Mountain Day and International Day for Biological Diversity.

Biodiversity Cultural Protocol (BCP)

Through a project funded by UNDP, the BMC of the village has prepared the Bio-Culture Community Protocol. BCP is like a gazetteer which captures entire information about the village – its geographical location, demography, land use pattern, topography of the land, occupational structure, local culture and traditions, traditional knowledge, customary laws and practices and lifestyle of the local communities. It is a permanent document safely kept by the BMC for users.

The traditional knowledge is not limited to the use of herbs but also extends to knowledge associated with customary livelihoods such as paddy-pisciculture, animal husbandry, basket making, handloom and


forest management, construction of houses using wood and bamboo and making household utensils merely out of fruits and bamboo from forests. This has been captured in the BCP.

Proposal of Heritage Site

The BMC, Hong (Niitii) has identified Lyago/Rumgo, Yugyang, Nyatu and Rantii of Hong village (Niichi and Niitii) area as a proposed Biodiversity Heritage

Site (BHS). The proposal is now under consideration of the State Biodiversity Board.

Way Forward

The effort of the Biodiversity Management Committee Niitii (Hong) is to create a positive relationship between the natural resource conservation and development.

INDIA NATURALLY 83

The BMC hopes to identify new genes for potential use in the coming years. It wants new propagation techniques such a s tissue culture adopted in case of need. It wants to open doors for modern technologies such as in vitro-conservation and cryopreservation for conservation. It wants to augment the availability of medicinal plants through these technologies to increase incomes. Finally, it plans for the cultivation, domestication and value addition of medicinal plants on a sustainable basis.


The Jury

Ms. AMARJEET AHUJA , CHAIRMs. Amarjeet Ahuja is a retired IAS offi cer. She worked as a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of

Environment and Forests in mid to late 90’s and steered the process of formation of National

Biodiversity Bill and several other innovative projects. She has worked to secure the interests

of India and developing countries in multilateral negotiations on the Convention on Biological

Diversity in collaboration with members of G77 and China. She pursued the agenda to

incorporate biodiversity concerns in decentralized governance in Panchayati Raj under the

Ministry of Rural Development.

Currently, she is the Chairperson of the Expert Committee on Medicinal Plants of National

Biodiversity Authority of India (NBA). She is a senior fellow at the Aravali Foundation for

Environmental Education in Delhi, and is on the Board of the Hunger Project, India contributing

to the capacity building of women elected to Panchayati Raj institutions. In addition, she works

freelance for educational and environmental issues.

Dr. ERACH BHARUCHADr. Erach Bharucha has been active in various fi elds of wildlife and nature conservation over

the past 45 years. A well–known wildlife photographer, he has used his brilliant images for

presentation to various audiences. He has worked as a consultant to the Government and Non

-Government Organizations on conservation issues and has reported on various programs

and projects. He has been a member and an executive functionary on several conservation

institutions such as the Bombay Natural History Society, Worldwide Fund for Nature, Wildlife

Institute of India and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History Planning Commission,

Government of India Central Zoo Authority and has several books and research publications to

his credit.

Mr. RAMESH G. KALAGHATGI With a dynamic work experience in community /farm forestry, forest policy and planning, forest

based livelihoods and forestry extension; Mr. Ramesh G. Kalaghatgi currently works in the

administration wing of Forest Department in Andhra Pradesh. He is also responsible for Social

Forestry, Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation in Andhra Pradesh. He is the Chairman of

Expert Committee on Access and Benefi t Sharing of National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai.

In this capacity he has streamlined procedure for scrutiny of applications for ABS in NBA,

Chennai. Under his chairmanship, this Committee has been instrumental in scrutinizing nearly

200 applications and mobilizing nearly Rs. 15 Crores of benefi t sharing. Mr. Kalaghatgi has also

worked on developing institutions and market linkages on a number of NTFP species with due

value addition. He was instrumental in developing institutions like common enterprise groups

and their federations on a cooperative model for community participation in these activities

with a market tie up with ITC Ltd. the TirumalaTirupathi Devasthahnam etc.

INDIA NATURALLY 85

Dr. RAKESH KUMAR SHAHDr. Rakesh Kumar Shah is the Chairman of Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board. He has been a

visiting faculty in IGNFA and SFS College, Dehradun, Kumaon University, Nainital and is also

designated as visiting professor to Graphic Era University, Dehradun. He is the Focal Person

for India with respect to Cordycepssinensis. He has been nominated as “Nodal Offi cer”

for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Uttarakhand. He is also helping the state of Arunachal

Pradesh, Goa, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in the development of various

policies related to medicinal plants and in the implementation of Biological Diversity Act. He is

also on the Expert Panel of the Academic Journals and Advances in Medicinal Plant Research.

He has prepared and guided the preparations of management plans (working plans) for several

forest divisions of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Dr. Shah has published various books and

publications on the medicinal plants of Uttarakhand and North-west Himalaya.

Dr. ACHALENDER REDDYMr. C. Achalender Reddy is an offi cer of Indian Forest Service, 1986 batch, AGMUT cadre and

currently serves as Managing Director, Goa Forest Development Corporation, Panaji. He has

served as Additional Secretary, Tourism in erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh. Further, he

has a fi ve year stint as Secretary, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai and has played a key

role in assisting the MoEFCC in organizing CoP-11 to CBD successfully in October 2012 at

Hyderabad. He has been instrumental in establishing “Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law” in

collaboration with Norwegian agencies and contributed in bringing out ABS guidelines.

Honored with “Wildlife Service Award” by Sanctuary Asia Magazine for his outstanding

contribution towards sea turtle protection in Goa, Mr. Reddy has represented India in a number

of International conferences, meetings organized by CBD related to implementation of Strategic

plan, AICHI Biodiversity targets and Nagoya Protocol.

Dr. R.S RANADr. Rana is the chairman of Bio-links, the National Working Group (founded by him in 1996)

for promoting implementation of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). He is

presently a member of the National Biodiversity Authority and chairs its Expert Committee on

Agricultural Biodiversity and also the Core Expert Group on implementing the Nagoya Protocol

on ABS. As Chairman of the Expert Committee on ABS, he led the development of India’s

Guidelines on ABS, notifi ed in 2014. He also represents the Asia & Pacifi c region on Compliance

Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. He was earlier elected Co-chair of the FAO

Commission on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (1993-1995) and assisted

implementing CBD in eight countries in Asia, Africa and South America. Former Director of

the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Dr. Rana is widely known for strengthening

India’s National Plant Genetic Resources System and the present Campus of NBPGR and the

new National Gene Bank at New Delhi. His research contributions towards improving plant

adaptation to saline environment and scientifi c management of plant genetic resources have

been widely acclaimed.


Dr. NEELIMA JERATHDr. Neelima Jerath is Founder Member Secretary, Punjab Biodiversity Board; Director General,

Pushpa Gujral Science City; Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science & Technology

and Member Secretary, Punjab State Innovation Council. She has worked as ‘Chairperson’ of

State Expert Appraisal Committee for Environmental Clearance of projects in the State. As

Executive Director, PSCST, she is leading a team of professionals for taking science to the

masses through Science Popularization programmes, promoting sustainable development,

conservation of natural resources, consultancy to industry for pollution control & energy

effi ciency, biotechnological interventions for socio-economic improvement and Intellectual

Property Rights. Widely traveled, she has more than 35 years of experience in the area of

Environment and Sustainable Development and has handled several projects sponsored by

UNESCO. She has extensively studied the biodiversity in Northern-Western region of India

especially Shivalik Hills. She is the recipient of Punjab State Award for her work in the area of

environment.

Dr. BISWAJIT DHARDr. Biswajit Dhar is a Professor of Economics in the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

For more than two decades, Dr. Dhar has been researching on issues relating to protection of

traditional knowledge and biodiversity and intellectual property rights. He has been nominated

by the Government of India as a member of several expert groups and is currently an expert

member of the National Biodiversity Authority, an autonomous organization under the Ministry

of Environment, Forest and Climate Change set up for the implementation of the Biological

Diversity Act.

Dr. Dhar has represented India in several intergovernmental organizations, including the

Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Intellectual Property Organization and the

World Trade Organization.

INDIA NATURALLY 87

UNDP INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS 201688 88


UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can

withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of

life for everyone. On the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, we offer

global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The objective of UNDP’s biodiversity work is maintaining and enhancing the benefi cial

services provided by natural ecosystems in order to secure livelihoods, food, water and

security, reduce vulnerability to climate change, sequester carbon and avoid greenhouse

gas emissions.

The portfolio of biodiversity and ecosystem projects managed by UNDP is the largest

in the UN system. UNDP currently works in 146 countries, managing 512 projects

on ecosystems and biodiversity with US$1.5 billion in funding from the Global

Environment Facility (GEF) and other sources, and co-fi nancing of US$ 3.5 billion. The

Ecosystem and Biodiversity Programme has been successful in helping to establish

over 2,000 protected areas in 85 countries, covering 272 million hectares; undertaking

interventions in production sectors and development planning in 38 countries, covering

244 million hectares; and promoting ecosystem-based adaptation to or mitigation of

climate change in 71 countries. UNDP’s programme has generated a globally recognized

body of knowledge on best practices in ecosystems and biodiversity management.

For over a decade, UNDP has partnered with the Ministry of Environment, Forest

and Climate Change, Government of India to build the capacities of stakeholders to

manage natural resources and to promote sustainable livelihoods. This has included

strengthening institutional capacities at different levels and supporting efforts to

enable communities to manage natural resources in an integrated, participatory and

sustainable manner. UNDP has also supported capacity development initiatives to

implement India’s Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the guiding network framework for

biodiversity conservation in the country.

91

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un eco awards M18F · 2019-05-20 · wetlands etc. can reduce the disastrous impacts of climate change such as flooding and storm surges. It is important to understand that biodiversity