35 Conservation of Biodiversity

Dr. Geetika Walia

INTRODUCTION

Nature has been very kind to man. Man with all his power, depends totally on other biological entities for his nutritional needs; he is even unable to synthesize certain biochemical that are essential for his own well- being. Man has survived such serious biochemical limitations attests to his ability to exploit the biological environment to his own advantage. According to Dr Norman Myers we are in the verse mass extinction of species. Our earth has now become a very sick planet and urgently needs a cure. One of the components of environment is biological resources which includes biodiversity.

LEARNING OUTCOME

The learning outcome of this study is as follows:

1. To analyze the basic concept of biodiversity and study the definition given by various authorities, treaties and Acts.
2. What is the importance of biodiversity and what are its functions
3. To examine the way in which biodiversity has been incorporated into the agenda of many international organizations.
4. What are the steps take at the national and international level for the conservation of biodiversity.

MEANING OF BIODIVERSITY

The term biodiversity was coined as a contraction of biological diversity by E.O. Wilson in 1985. According to the U.S Office of Technology Assessment biodiversity means the variety and variability among living organisms and ecological complexes in which they occur. It generally refers to variation among living organisms i.e. from molecular unit to individual organism and then onto the population, community, ecosystem, landscape and also refers to genetic diversity, species, ecosystem diversity.1 In the widest possible amplitude biodiversity is taken to be the aggregate of Life on Earth. So therefore it can be concluded here that the total of life form no matter how big or small it may be is included within the ambit of biodiversity.

Convention on Biological Diversity defines biodiversity as “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”.2

The definition of biological diversity under the Biological Diversity Act is the variability among living organisms from all sources and the ecological complexes of which they are part and includes diversity within species or between species and of eco-systems.3

Protection of the environment is indeed our fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution.4 India is one of the seventeen mega diversity nations of the world and has four biodiversity hotspots. India contains 668 protected areas comprising of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, tiger reserves, elephant reserves, community reserves, and conservation reserves. India is recognized as one of the eight Vavilovian centres of origin and diversity of crop plants, and possesses more than 300 wild ancestors and close relatives of cultivated plants, which are still evolving under natural conditions. India is also a vast repository of Traditional Knowledge (TK) associated with biological resources.

IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity has a number of functions on the Earth. These are as follows:

1. Helps in maintaining balance of the ecosystem: one of the essentials of biodiversity is that it helps in maintain the balance of the ecosystem and it does that by various ways like constantly maintain the balance of the climate and atmosphere, helps in not just stowing the essential nutrients present but also makes them reusable, helps in curbing and preventing the pollution which can be taken to be as the main cause for the loss of biodiversity, preserves the water channels and prevents the soil erosion which can again be taken to be as a cause for loss of biodiversity.
2. Source of biological resources: Biodiversity is also a major source of providing biological resources which can be helpful in many ways like providing of drugs to cure and prevent various diseases, acts as a source of nutrition for both human beings and animals and acts as a breeding ground for the life on earth. 
3. Aesthetic value and traditional benefits: Biodiversity has great aesthetic value and acts as a source of income as well. One of the examples for this can be the parks, sanctuaries, reserves which are established for the viewing of people of various flora and fauna. Examples of aesthetic value include eco-tourism, bird watching, wildlife, gardening, etc. therefore it can be said that it helps in increasing the eco- tourism because it acts as a source of entertainment, knowledge and information. Also they have traditional value because in India it is seem that some of the plants and animals are worshipped like the Pipal tree, Tulsi is worshipped, and the cow and snake are taken to be animals which are worshipped.
4. Scientific role of biodiversity: one major role which biodiversity can plan is through the scientists. The scientists by studying and experimenting on these species can come to the conclusion that how the life actually started and to what levels these species can go to sustain themselves in the ecosystems. Also further as we all those that the biodiversity today is at great risk because of both natural and manmade reasons and every possible effort is made at the national and international level to protect and conserve biodiversity so therefore these scientists by studying these species can come to the conclusion of the steps taken for the conservation of biodiversity.

TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY

We have all evaluated the importance of biodiversity the next important question that we need to answer is what are the different types of diversities. There are basically three types of diversities, namely:7

1. Genetic diversity: it is generally said that the genes of a person pass from one generation to the other and their might be times when their in variation in the genes that pass from one generation to the other. The connection that is drawn between two individuals is through the similarities in their genes. The more the similarity between genes of two individuals the more closely related they are towards each other.
2. Species diversity: As we have already discussed genetic diversity so the next important type of diversity is species diversity because genes make species. Species diversity means and includes the living creatures present in the ecosystem and this includes both flora and fauna. There is always an interaction that is taking place between various types of species present in the ecosystem. Species belonging to same group can be taken to be group in which reproduction can take place through breeding.
3. Ecological diversity: Ecosystems generally means the blend or amalgamation of different living creatures in the physical environment and the interaction between both of them. Basically all the living space for all species on the earth is provided by the ecosystem in the form of different habitations. The beauty of this ecosystem is plays different roles and provides different types of habitation to different types of living creatures depending on their needs. This is all fulfilled by the diverse types of biodiversity we have that accommodates all types of flora and fauna and gives then a living space. As I have already discussed the fact that the ecosystem is diverse in nature and accommodates all types of living beings the irony of the situation is that this system is never stable it keeps on changing and sometimes this change is for good and at other times not for good which might lead to extinction of various flora and fauna. And this extinction is the major cause of concern of both the national and international community. So therefore preservation of ecosystem is necessary so that interaction between both physical and living components can take place without any adverse effect.

LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

After discussing the importance of biodiversity and the types of biodiversity the next important question is what are the various reasons for the loss of biodiversity. Unquestionably the most important concern of the world today the loss that is occurring with respect to biodiversity and that too in almost the whole wide world. This depletion that is taking place is taking place at a very fast pace. Because the loss is taking place rapidly therefore it is a grave matter of concern for both the national as well as international community.

Some of the reasons for the loss of biodiversity are as follows:

1. Destruction and variation of the ecosystems: One of the major reasons in the damage to the biodiversity is destruction and variation in the ecosystems. There is always a set pattern in the ecosystem where existence of living organisms takes place and even if there is a change in the ecosystem the change is of such a nature that the environment is favourable for their birth and growth. But because of the fact that the agricultural land is decreasing, cities and buildings are increasing it is causing destruction to the ecosystem which in turn affects the biodiversity and damages it. Also further there is a loss of the natural habitat of the flora and fauna and suitable conditions of growth are not been given to them because of which there is loss of biodiversity.
2. Various new and exotic species been added to the ecosystem in addition to genetically modified organisms: One major threat to the biodiversity is that of new species been added to the ecosystem when at times can become dominant to the species already present and creating an imbalance in the ecosystem. Further because of the development of biotechnology we are seeing the growth of genetically modified organisms and plants which at times can be resistant to various animals and insects of that area again creating an imbalance.
3. Threating the forests by cutting of the trees because of which the forests which act as a natural habitat for various plants and animals are decreasing which is also leading to soil erosion. This soil erosion is affecting the fertility of land which in turn acts as a major concern for the loss of biodiversity.
4. There are some species which are bound to exist in certain a particular habitat with the existence of certain other species. And in this case if one of the species is affected there would be a loss to the other. This would also mean that the food chain would be destroyed. This is known by the name of knock- out effects. Pollution and global environmental change also threaten the world’s biodiversity. Climate changes affect the distribution of species.
5. Overexploitation of resources: Overexploitation is generally taken to be the opposite of sustainable use. When we go to the extent of exploiting the resources which are limited in nature without keeping the future needs into perspectives this would in turn lead to loss of biodiversity. So keeping the above points in mind every possible effort should be made by human being that loss to the biodiversity should not take place and preservation and conservation of it should be taken to be concern of all not just few.

CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Although man is a part of the ecosystem, he is accountable for the degradation and depletion of the biodiversity. Though as compare to the flora, fauna the number of human beings are less but the have they have done to the environment is immense. Conservation means a careful safeguarding and guarding of something especially through planned management and to prevent abuse, damage, or neglect. Further it also incorporates the principle of using the resources in a manner that it can be preserved for the future generation as well. It is expected that with the increasing awareness toward the values and importance of diversity and stringent measures we shall be able to protect our biodiversity. We need to conserve biodiversity keeping in view the direct use values, indirect use values, and intrinsic value of biodiversity. In fact, the very existence of human species and sustainable development depend on biodiversity conservation. Both in- situ9 and ex-situ10 conservation has been part of the cultural traditions in India.

The preservation and conservation of biodiversity can be accompanied only as part of an overall strategy to promote global stability. It is the need of the hour that all the countries they come together and take concrete steps for the conservation of biodiversity.

UN EFFORTS FOR CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY

Conservation is closely linked with human activities that reap the benefits by harvesting, consuming and utilizing the resources. However, in absence of knowledge on the importance of conservation of these resources in sustainable manner people tend to consume excessively leading to depletion and loss of biodiversity.11Biodiversity was considered as a common concern of humankind. Since then, conservation of biodiversity has become an international slogan. 2011- 2020 has been designated as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity where in different steps would be taken by UN first and all the member countries for the preservation and protection of biodiversity. Further in light of the above statement May 22 is celebrated as the International Day for Biological Diversity or World Biodiversity Day.

The first step taken by the UN worth acknowledging was the making of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which was signed in Washington, DC, on 3 March 1973. The basic objective of this Convention was that there should be a complete ban that should be put on the trading of wildlife.12 The Convention stated that “recognition has to be given to wild fauna and flora in their many beautiful and varied forms are an irreplaceable part of the natural systems of the earth which must be protected for this and the generations to come; further there is ever-growing value of wild fauna and flora from aesthetic, scientific, cultural, recreational and economic points of view; and that the peoples and States are and should be the best protectors of their own wild fauna and flora; and in addition, that international co-operation is essential for the protection of certain species of wild fauna and flora against over-exploitation through international trade.”13

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

The  United  Nations  Convention  on  Biological  Diversity  (CBD),  1992 known  informally  as  the Biodiversity Convention, is a multilateral treaty. The Convention has three main goals like:

1. conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity);
2. sustainable use of its components; and
3. fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.14

The Convention is a landmark piece in the international community and acknowledges the steps that should be taken up by the member states in the protection and conservation of biodiversity. It is an all-inclusive Convention which deals with issues which recognize that conservation of biodiversity is a matter of concern for everyone i.e. to say that the conservation of biological diversity is a common concern of humankind. As has been pointed out earlier as well that the resources are depleting animals going extinct so the international community should take immediate measures and steps for protecting the biodiversity. Some of the issues dealt under the Convention are15:

1. Measures and incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.
2. Regulated access to genetic resources.
3. Access to and transfer of technology, including biotechnology.
4. Technical and scientific cooperation.
5. Impact assessment.
6. Education and public awareness.
7. Provision of financial resources.
8. National reporting on efforts to implement treaty.

BONN GUIDELINES ON ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES AND FAIR AND EQUITABLE SHARING OF THE BENEFITS ARISING OUT OF THEIR UTILIZATION

Article 15 of the Convention addresses the terms and conditions for access to genetic resources and benefit- sharing. It recognizes the sovereignty of States over their natural resources and provides that access to these resources shall be subject to the prior informed consent of the Contracting Party providing such resources. So therefore in consonance to this article these guidelines were adopted in The Hague in April 2002. The scope of the guidelines is that all genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, innovations and practices covered by the Convention on Biological Diversity and benefits arising from the commercial and other utilization of such resources should be covered by the guidelines, with the exclusion of human genetic resources. One of the objectives of the guidelines in addition to others is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

CARTAGENA PROTOCOL

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity came into force on 11 September 2003 with the basic goal to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.17

STRATEGY PLAN 2011- 2020

The rationale for the new plan is that biological diversity underpins ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services essential for human well-being. It provides for food security, human health, the provision of clean air and water; it contributes to local livelihoods, and economic development, and is essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, including poverty reduction. The vision for the new plan is: “Living in Harmony with Nature” where “By 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.” The mission of the new plan is to “take effective and urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity in order to ensure that by 2020 ecosystems are resilient and continue to provide essential services, thereby securing the planet’s variety of life, and contributing to human well-being, and poverty eradication. To ensure this, pressures on biodiversity are reduced, ecosystems are restored, biological resources are sustainably used and benefits arising out of utilization of genetic resources are shared in a fair and equitable manner; adequate financial resources are provided, capacities are enhanced, biodiversity issues and values mainstreamed, appropriate policies are effectively implemented, and decision-making is based on sound science and the precautionary approach.”18 The Strategy Plan consists of five calculated goals and includes twenty Aichi Biodiversity Targets. These are as follows

Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society.

Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use.

Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity.

Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERITY AND INDIA

India has been taking various steps for the conservation and protection of biodiversity and one of the pertinent step in this direction was becoming a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity. In consonance to this India made a law called as the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT, 2002

India made a law for the protection and conservation of biological diversity known as the Biological Diversity Act in 2002, and notified the rules called as the Biological Diversity Rules in 2004, in consonance with the Convention of Biological Diversity. India became a party to the Convention and brought into force on 19th May 1994. The Preamble of the Act states, that ‘An Act to provide for conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources, knowledge and for matters connected there with or incidental thereto.’

The Act gives recognition to the establishment of National Biodiversity Authority which was set up in October, 2003 in Chennai. The NBA consists of a Chairperson, five non-official and ten ex-officio members to be appointed by the Central Government to represent various Ministries.21 The vision of NBA is the conservation and sustainable use of India’s rich biodiversity and associated knowledge with people’s participation, ensuring the process of benefit sharing for well being of present and future generations. Then the Act establishes the State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) constituted by the State Governments deal with all matters relating to access by Indians for commercial purposes.22 The institutions of self-governments are required to set up Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in their respective areas for conservation, sustainable use, documentation of biodiversity and chronicling of knowledge related to biodiversity.

CONCULSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

An analysis of the above content makes us come to the conclusion that the need of the hour is to realize the fact that the biodiversity is depleting and that too at a very fast pace and that too because of the activities carried on by Man and that too for his own profit. Man is the only creature who has the intellectual capability to interpret things so therefore it important for him to acknowledge the fact that he has no right to destroy the biodiversity or the ecosystem. Biodiversity is fundamental to many eco system services. Biodiversity provides sustainability for the livelihoods of many people, especially the rural poor, as they obtain goods and services from the functioning of ecosystems.

The following are the synthesis of several recommendations for the conservation of biodiversity.

1. Awareness programme: the awareness programme is important tool that helps to make people aware about the importance of biodiversity conservation and related issues i.e. indigenous knowledge system, patenting, benefit sharing and economic value of biodiversity conservation and quality of life. This can be done by incorporating biodiversity conservation in the state educational curriculum, implementing research and development projects in school, college and university level, establishment of museums, botanical garden etc.
2. Customary and traditional practices: traditional practices have assisted in the conservation of biodiversity through the use and management of trees, forests and water which warrants recognition.
3. Promotion of ecotourism policy: suitable policy on eco tourism is very much needed for the conservation of rich diversity, culture and its sustainable development.
4. Main reason for the damage to biodiversity: though the root causes of biodiversity loss and threats to biodiversity are well known however there is limited understanding of underlying causes due to lack of substantial facts.
5. Enforcement of law: We in India have ample number of laws which deal with the conservation of biodiversity what is lacking is the enforcement of these laws and the awareness about these laws. Steps should be taken by the government for creating awareness about conservation of biodiversity, awareness about the laws and implementation of biodiversity laws.

Biodiversity is a very diverse concept and linked up with so many other issues that it cannot be understood in segregation to these other concepts. These concepts are economic growth that is taking place, which can be taken to be as the most important reason for the loos and destruction of biodiversity. For the economic development the Man is playing with the biodiversity without realizing the fact that in turn it is going to affect his very existence only. Therefore it is important to understand at this position that formulation of proper policies is indeed the pivotal factor in all conservation endeavours. A major consideration should be to develop suitable complementarities with development activities, which through raising output in other sectors and as a byproduct- would reduce pressures on natural habitat. Further the conservation of biodiversity can also take place by the community participation and using of their local or traditional for the conservation.