BY:SRUTISUDHA MOHANTYM.Sc. Environmental Science1st semester

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them,but to be indifferent to

them. :George Bernard Shaw

Due to continuous increase in the number of endangered species of flora & fauna,major

steps have been taken to protect and manage the wildlife

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

IN SITU EX SITU

NATIONAL PARK

&SANCTUARIES

BIOSPHERERESERVESSACRED

GROVES

MARI-NE

TERRES-

-TRIAL

SACRED PLANT HOME GARDENS

SEED BANKS,FIELD GENE BANKCRYOPRESERVES

BOTANICALGARDENS,ZOO,

AQUARIA

PROTECTED AREAA clearly defined geographical space,

recognised, dedicated and managed through local or other effective means,to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem series and cultural values.

:(IUCN World Commission,2008)

It is supported by World Commission ON

Protected Areas Convention on

Biological Diversity

IUCN CATEGORIES OF PROTECTED AREAS

Category Ia — Strict Nature Reserve:PROTECTED AREAS MANAGED MAINLY FOR SCIENCE AND RECIEVE LEAST AMOUNT OF HUMAN PROJECTION

Category Ib — Wilderness Area:WILDERNESS PROTECTION

Category II — National Park:PROTECTED AREAS MANAGED MAINLY FORECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Category III — Natural Monument or Feature:TO PROTECT MONUMENTS & ITS SORROUNDING HABITATS

Category IV — Habitat/Species Management Area:CONSERVATION OF SPECIFIC SPECIES WHICH REQUIRES PROTECTION

Category V — Protected Landscape/Seascape:CONSERVATION OF ENTIRE AREA,PERMITS SORROUNDING COMMUNITY TO INTERACT

Category VI – Protected Area with sustainable use of natural resources:MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL CORRELATION BETWEEN NATURAL CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

PROTECTED AREA OF INDIA India is one of the 17 mega diverse countries of the

world.India is home to World's largest wild tiger population and has got unique assemblage of globally important endangered species like Asiatic lion,asian elephant,one horned rhinoceros,gangetic river dolphin,snow leopard,kashmir stag,gharial,great indian bustard etc.

A National Board for Wildlife(NBWL),chaired by the PM of India provides for policy frameworkfor wildlife conservation in the country.the National Wildlife Action Plan(2002-2016) has been adopted;emphasizing the peoples' participation & their support for wildlife conservation.

Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972

Citation : Act no. 53 of 1972Enacted By : Parliament of India Date enacted: 9 Sept. 1972

PM is the chairperson of National Board for Wildlife

& the Minister in charge for Forest and Wildlife is the Vice-Chairperson.

Similarly CM is the chairperson of State Board for

Wildlife & the Minister in charge for Forest and

Wildlife is the Vice-Chairperson.All the power has been given to Chief

Wildlife Warden .

An area dedicated by statute for all times to conserve the scenery, natural or historical objects of national importance & wildlife is called as NATIONAL PARKS.

A National Park is created or abolished by the legislature of a province or by the Parliament .

Worldwide 6555 national parks (2006) First national park of the world- Yellowstone national

park,1872 Largest National Park-Northeast Greenland National

park,1979

NATIONAL PARKS OF INDIA

IUCN category II There are 112

National Parks of India(April;2002).

India's first National Park- Jim Corbett National Park,Uttarakhand,1936 (formerly known as Hailey National Park)

A national park consists of a core zone and a buffer zone, each with specific characteristics.

Core zoneRegulated access for the public

Tight restrictions on production operations and human activities (construction of infrastructure, agriculture, etc.)

Hunting prohibited, except in cases where a health risk is demonstrated for wildlife

Tight restrictions on production operations and human activities (construction of infrastructure, agriculture, etc.)

Hunting prohibited, except in cases where a health risk is demonstrated for wildlife

BUFFER ZONEIts function is to form a buffer around the core zone.

The buffer zone is an area for the local population to live and work in.

In the buffer zone, the principles of sustainability are to be implemented.

Specific objectives

•Promotion of environmental education and discovery of the natural and cultural heritage, and awareness raising with regard to sustainability•Support for and coordination of research projects•Cooperation between park communes on spatial planning activities in the area

For the Core Zone• Conservation of natural processes and prevention of interventions detrimental to these processes•Coordination and monitoring of the human activities permitted in the core zone

For the buffer zone:•Preservation of natural and landscape values and enhancement of the buffer function•Promotion of sustainable use of natural resources (sustainable tourism, renewable energy sources, sustainable mobility, regional products)

WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Typically, a sanctuary is created through a government mandate that sets the space

aside for the use of animal protection, and rangers or other government

employees may patrol the area to ensure that no one hunts or otherwise harasses

the animals. These are the forest area where killing and capturing of any species of animal is

prohibited except under the orders of competent authority .

WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES OF INDIA IUCN category IV There are 515 wildlife sanctuaries in india 41 tiger reserves ,governed by Project Tiger Largest sanctuary: Nagarjun sagar - srisailam tiger

reserve(A.P,Telengana)

These are special category of protected areas of land or coastal environment where people are an integral component of the system.

It promotes conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.

The concept of biosphere was launched in 1971 as a part of UNESCO's Man & Biosphere program(MAB).

The first biosphere reserve of the world established in 1979.

562 reserves in 109 countries

It serves in some ways living laboratories for testing out and demonstrating integrated management of land, water & biodiversity.

A biosphere reserve is divided into 3 zonesi.e, 1.CORE AONE2.BUFFER ZONE3.TRANSITION ZONE

BIOSPHERE

Zones of Biosphere

1.Core zone: Which is strongly protected for the

conservation of biological diversity — to make sure that different types of plants and animals are safe from human impact.

2. Buffer zone: Surrounds the core zones and provide a space for

environmental research, recreation, and tourism.

3.Transition zone: This area is for local communities that have a hand in

managing the resources of the area through farming, fisheries, and other non-governmental activities.

Role of biosphere reserves

A biosphere reserve preserves a) wild population b) life style of tribes c) genetic resources of domesticated plants and animals. It helps in 1) conservation 2) promotes economic development 3) Scientific research, monitoring and education

Biosphere reserves of india

SACRED GROVES Sacred grove is a grove of trees of special religious importance to a particular culture. Sacred groves of India are forest fragments of varying sizes, which are communally protected, and which usually have a significant religious connotation for the protecting community. The decline of sacred groves can be attributed to the change in social values & religious beliefs as a result of modernization & urbanization. For most villagers,economics is easier to understand than ecology. Hunting and logging are usually strictly prohibited within these patches.

• In India 13,270 sacred groves are documented

• Experts estimate is in the range of 100,000 – 150,000

• Himachal Pradesh --- 5000

• Karnataka --- 1424

• Kerala --- 2000

• Odisha --- 322

• Rajasthan --- 9

• Names of sacred State groves

• Devara kadu Karnataka

• Deo Bhumi Himachal Pradesh

• Kovil Kadu Pondcherry and TamilNadu

• Kavus Kerala

• Devrais Maharashtra

• Mausmai Megalaya

• Bugyal Uttaranchal

• Machhiyal Uttaranchal & H.P.

• Mangar bani Rajasthan

• (sacred water bodies)

 Sacred groves occur in a variety of places – from scrub forests in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan maintained by the Bishnois.

The Gurjjar people of Rajasthan have a unique practice of neem (Azadirachta indica) planting and worshipping as abode of God Devnarayan.Thus, a Gurjjar settlement appears like a human- inhabited sacred grove.

Similarly Mangar Bani, last surviving natural forest of Delhi is protected by Gurjjars of nearby area.

Sacred groves of Rajasthan

Oran (Jaiselmer,Jodhpur,Bikaner),Kenkri (Ajmer),Vani (Mewar),Shamlat deh, 

Devbani(Alwar),Jogmaya

Traditional uses: One of the most important traditional uses of sacred groves

was that it acted as a repository for various Ayurvedic medicines. Other uses

involved a source of replenishable resources like fruits and honey. However,

in most sacred groves it was taboo to hunt or chop wood. The vegetation cover helps

reduce soil erosion and prevents desertification, as in Rajasthan. The groves

are often associated with ponds and streams, and meet water requirements of

local communities.

However, the introduction of protected area category community reserves under the Wildlife(Protection) Ammendment Act;2002 has introduced legislation for providing government protection to community held lands,which could include sacred groves.

Hunting and logging are usually strictly prohibited within these patches.

The extent groves are proof that the forests exist not only because there are regulations but also because there are traditions.

Examples

Sacred groves occur in a variety of places – from scrub forests in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan maintained by the Bishnois, to rain forests in the Western Ghats of Kerala.

Himachal Pradesh in the north and Kerala in the south are specifically known for their large numbers of sacred groves.

The Kodavas of Karnataka alone maintained over 1000 sacred groves in their region.