TN lags in fully functional biodiversity management committee

Biodiversity as a term was introduced to the world in the year 1992 at the Earth Summit which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil through an international convention called the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).  

The CBD defines biodiversity as follows: ‘(It) means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.’  There are three tenets to the CBD which are a) conservation of biological diversity b) sustainable use of its components and c) fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use.  In simple terms, the principle is to protect and conserve life forms, use them carefully and ensure that the resource is available for future generations. It is interesting to note that the CBD includes human beings in its definition of biological diversity, but more importantly gives them greater priority as custodians of the planet’s biological resources.  Biodiversity is hence not anti-development as some of us would like to postulate, but is a reiteration of the need to develop and prosper with caution and prudence.  In many ways, it is an expansion of the age old tale of the duck which laid golden eggs! 

India was one of the earliest signatories to the CBD, and demonstrated its commitment to implementing the provisions of the convention by enacting the Biological Diversity Act 2002, and Rules, 2004.  This Act is operationalised through a three tier structure, of which the third tier viz. the Biodiversity Management Committee (or BMCs) which function at the level of corporations, municipalities or revenue villages and act as local custodians of the natural resources is rather unique.

While some Indian states have fully functional BMCs, Tamil Nadu unfortunately is way behind in constituting BMCs, and this is a fact of serious concern. One of the mandates of the BMCs is to develop and have custodianship of a register called the Peoples’ Biodiversity Register (PBR). The PBR is a compilation of not just the natural wealth that is found in the landscape, but also chronicles the traditional knowledge and practices associated with the natural resources.  First developed by Prof Madhav Gadgil, the PBR has been instrumental in fulfilling the tenets of the CBD in many places across India.  While the CBD is the most known convention dealing with biological diversity, it is important to know that there are six other international conventions that deal with the same.  More pertinently, India is a signatory to all the seven conventions that address biodiversity conservation.  

The six conventions are: 1. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), 2. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, 3.The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, 4. Convention on Wetlands (popularly known as the Ramsar Convention), 5. World Heritage Convention (WHC)  and 6. International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).  

The scope and diversity of issues covered by the seven conventions is rather interesting.  For instance, while the Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation and emphasises the need for the ‘wise use’ of wetlands and their resources, the CITES address the issue of illegal trade of plants and animals that are under the threat of extinction. 

The moot point is that biodiversity conservation is a complex domain that calls for the active and continued participation of a wide range of stakeholders.  

Within India, it is also a domain which is yet to be fully addressed, primarily due to lack of technical skill —a lacuna that could probably be an opportunity for the younger generation.