A Vision for MSBB –Towards Biodiversity Conservation and

Sustainable Development

ErachErach BharuchaBharuchaDirector

Bharati VidyapeethInstitute of Environment Education and Research, PuneEmail: bvieer@vsnl.com Phone No. 020-24375684

The big questions….

• The conceptual framework for avision for the MSBB

• The linkages between conservationand sustainable use in Maharashtra

• Strategic outputs for MSBB

• The conceptual framework for avision for the MSBB

• The linkages between conservationand sustainable use in Maharashtra

• Strategic outputs for MSBB

The concepts• Biodiversity conservation is one of the major pillars of

sustainable development.• “Sustainable Development” requires economic growth,

societal equity and preserving ecological functions……• “Biodiversity conservation” and its sustainable use,

brings about economic support for local people, as itincludes rational and scientific ecosystem management,equitable use of resources and conservation of localecosystem goods and services. This includes genetic,species and ecosystem diversity

• Thus there are close parallels between the concepts onconservation and sustainable use and the strategies fora better world

• Biodiversity conservation is one of the major pillars ofsustainable development.

• “Sustainable Development” requires economic growth,societal equity and preserving ecological functions……

• “Biodiversity conservation” and its sustainable use,brings about economic support for local people, as itincludes rational and scientific ecosystem management,equitable use of resources and conservation of localecosystem goods and services. This includes genetic,species and ecosystem diversity

• Thus there are close parallels between the concepts onconservation and sustainable use and the strategies fora better world

Background

• Historically both concepts, that ofprotecting all forms of life, and usingresources sustainably are not new toIndia.

• Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism….• Using resources for people’s needs but

not for greed – Mahatma Gandhi…

• Historically both concepts, that ofprotecting all forms of life, and usingresources sustainably are not new toIndia.

• Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism….• Using resources for people’s needs but

not for greed – Mahatma Gandhi…

The needsWhat does the Convention on Biodiversity require?• Nations are custodians of their own biodiversity as a contribution to global

sustainability of Earth Resources.What does India’s Biodiversity Act of 2004 require?• Conservation of Biological resources with equitable and sustainable use of

its products.The strategy enshrined in the Act requires…….• BMCs – Primary function.• PBRs – Database with validation.• Equitable access and Benefit sharing strategy.• Notifying Biodiversity Heritage Sites.What does Maharashtra require…..• Preservation of all its ecosystems.• Preservation of all wild species.• Preservation of all genetic variations both

– Wild relatives of potentially useful species, Cultivars, Livestock breeds.

What does the Convention on Biodiversity require?• Nations are custodians of their own biodiversity as a contribution to global

sustainability of Earth Resources.What does India’s Biodiversity Act of 2004 require?• Conservation of Biological resources with equitable and sustainable use of

its products.The strategy enshrined in the Act requires…….• BMCs – Primary function.• PBRs – Database with validation.• Equitable access and Benefit sharing strategy.• Notifying Biodiversity Heritage Sites.What does Maharashtra require…..• Preservation of all its ecosystems.• Preservation of all wild species.• Preservation of all genetic variations both

– Wild relatives of potentially useful species, Cultivars, Livestock breeds.

ActionsHow do we do this through the MSBB?• Strategic planning….• Data management and research.• Prioritizing actions.• Monitoring mechanism.• Specialized target specific training.• Reporting to all stake holders and developing

transparency.• Supporting “Traditional Knowledge”• Providing appropriate education and awarenss of

biodiversity values.

How do we do this through the MSBB?• Strategic planning….• Data management and research.• Prioritizing actions.• Monitoring mechanism.• Specialized target specific training.• Reporting to all stake holders and developing

transparency.• Supporting “Traditional Knowledge”• Providing appropriate education and awarenss of

biodiversity values.

Biodiversity information and itsrelevance

• India has duel information systems onbiodiversity conservation.

• Traditional knowledge systems (TKS)• Modern education and research• The disconnect….

• India has duel information systems onbiodiversity conservation.

• Traditional knowledge systems (TKS)• Modern education and research• The disconnect….

Maharashtra – A unique State

• Maharashtra’s diverse ecosystems requiredifferent approaches:

• Northern forests – Central Highlands of India –Tribal country.

• Deccan plateau grassland – Semiarid agricultureand pasture land.

• Western Ghats – ESAs High biodiversity andhigh fragility – Hotspecks.

• Coastal region – Ecosystem services andmarine resources – CRZ.

• Maharashtra’s diverse ecosystems requiredifferent approaches:

• Northern forests – Central Highlands of India –Tribal country.

• Deccan plateau grassland – Semiarid agricultureand pasture land.

• Western Ghats – ESAs High biodiversity andhigh fragility – Hotspecks.

• Coastal region – Ecosystem services andmarine resources – CRZ.

The traditional knowledge andculture of Maharashtra

TKS preservation….• Northern forests – Korku, Bhil, Gondh, Pardhi.• Deccan plateau – Semiarid farmers and their cultivars,

Dhangar and their pastures• Western Ghats – Warli, Kokana, Kathkari, Mahadeo Koli• Sacred Groves, water sources• Coastal region – Koli fisher folk, paddy and farmers

cultivars.

TKS preservation….• Northern forests – Korku, Bhil, Gondh, Pardhi.• Deccan plateau – Semiarid farmers and their cultivars,

Dhangar and their pastures• Western Ghats – Warli, Kokana, Kathkari, Mahadeo Koli• Sacred Groves, water sources• Coastal region – Koli fisher folk, paddy and farmers

cultivars.

Expertise needs of MSBB

• Collecting information and datamanagement

• Legal concerns (ABS)• Ensuring sustainable use of bioresources• Public awareness and participation• Research

– “Citizen Science Approach”– “Scientific expertise networks”

• Collecting information and datamanagement

• Legal concerns (ABS)• Ensuring sustainable use of bioresources• Public awareness and participation• Research

– “Citizen Science Approach”– “Scientific expertise networks”

Tools

• Rapid collection of area specific data• Convincing people of the benefits of

biodiversity conservation and ensuring thatlocal people can see economic incentives

• Linkage to potential benefit sharing withindustry – Pharma, cosmetics, ecotourism.

• Rapid collection of area specific data• Convincing people of the benefits of

biodiversity conservation and ensuring thatlocal people can see economic incentives

• Linkage to potential benefit sharing withindustry – Pharma, cosmetics, ecotourism.

Data on Assets and ThreatsAssets• Biodiversity values• RET species• Ecological niches• Traditional knowledge valuesThreats• Existing and potential threat• Globalization and consumerism• Unsustainable development• Landuse change without futuristic thinking

Assets• Biodiversity values• RET species• Ecological niches• Traditional knowledge valuesThreats• Existing and potential threat• Globalization and consumerism• Unsustainable development• Landuse change without futuristic thinking

Region specific strategies

• Establishing Conservation Priorities.• Identifying existing and potential threats.• Establishing Conservation Priorities.• Identifying existing and potential threats.

What are the linkages of biogeographicregions and traditional land and resourceuse strategies, for Maharashtra?

Biodiversity and Cultural preservation• Linkage between Natural Science / Social Science• Plus + Economics and Law

Biodiversity ConservationTechnology

HotspecksCorridorsBMCs PBRs

Biodiversity ConservationTechnology

HotspecksCorridors

BMCs PBRs

Law: Biodiversity ActABS

Societal Economics, equity.ABSSocial Science

(Citizen science approach)

Law: Biodiversity ActABS

Societal Economics, equity.ABS

Social Science(Citizen science approach)

Resources and Cultures…..Agropastoralist

• Cultivar diversity.

• Traditional farmers and forest tribal folk have used forestbiomass as a wood ash fertilizer, along with cattle dung whichwas sustainable when human population was limited.

Resources and Cultures…..

Pastoralist / Animal husbandry• Livestock breeds• Traditional pastoralists have used grasslands

and migrated in response to seasonal variations.

Pastoralist / Animal husbandry• Livestock breeds• Traditional pastoralists have used grasslands

and migrated in response to seasonal variations.

Hunter – Gatherer• Once sustainable, now unsustainable

if illegal• Current sustainable use through

BMCs –• Ex situ conservation breeding centers• Increasing habitat loss and poaching

will lead to extinction

Resources and Cultures…..Hunter – Gatherer• Once sustainable, now unsustainable

if illegal• Current sustainable use through

BMCs –• Ex situ conservation breeding centers• Increasing habitat loss and poaching

will lead to extinction

Resources and Cultures…..Fisherfolk

• Fisher folk traditionally reduced their fishing during thefish breeding seasons.

• Wetlands and coastal ecosystems provided a wealth ofseasonal aquatic resources.

Fisherfolk

• Fisher folk traditionally reduced their fishing during thefish breeding seasons.

• Wetlands and coastal ecosystems provided a wealth ofseasonal aquatic resources.

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

Tribal regions

High diversity of distinctive ecological entities.Dividing line of Sal and Teak forests.High tribal cultural diversity.Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, forest avifauna, other taxa.Carrying capacity for wildlife tourism has been exceeded in Tiger Reserves.

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

PeopleTKS of Korku, Bhil Baiga.Medicines, dance, tattoos,jewelry, pottery, artifacts(metal work).

DECCAN PLATEAU

Ecosystem: Scrubland and Grasslands / Rivers / Riverine areas /Manmade wetlands in dams.Flora- Teak forest / Semiarid grassland.

DECCAN PLATEAU

Fauna: Wolf, chinkara, blackbuck, bustards, raptors, reptiles

DECCAN PLATEAU

People- Semiarid – farmers, migrant Dhangars – The linkage…..Landuse- Bajra, Jawar – Traditional rainfed farming – Central Plateau.

DECCAN PLATEAU

Conflict• Change to sugarcane due to rapid irrigation development.• Industrialization.• Urbanization.

WESTERN GHATS

• Globally important hotspot of Biodiversity. High endemism.• Supplies river water to Deccan Plateau.

WESTERN GHATS

Ecosystem• Evergreen, Semi evergreen, Deciduous

forests• Basalt and Lateritic Plateau tops• Coastal vegetation, marine ecosystem.

WESTERN GHATS

PeopleMaratha Farmers of hill slopes.Tribal groups- Mahadeo kolis, Katkaris, WarlisPaddy in flood plainsHill slope mixed cultivation - ‘rab’ cultivation.

WESTERN GHATS

• Ancient tradition ofSacred groves

• Hot specks ofdiversity.

• Tiger goddess.• The ‘kaul’ ceremony.

WESTERN GHATS/ COASTAL BELT

The landuse – Paddy / farmers.The Warli art and its tradition: – Jivya Soma Mahshe and the Warli paintings.The folktales.

Landscape approach to managementof the Western Ghats

• Natural landscape values– Forest– Water sources– Plateau’s of endemic plants

• Cultural landscape values– Sacred Groves– Forts and surrounds– Agriculture – Indigenous crop varieties– Pastoralism - Livestock varieties

• Natural landscape values– Forest– Water sources– Plateau’s of endemic plants

• Cultural landscape values– Sacred Groves– Forts and surrounds– Agriculture – Indigenous crop varieties– Pastoralism - Livestock varieties

NaturalLandscape

• Corridors betweenPA’s – Crestlineforest plateaus andescarpments.

• ESA’s – WesternGhats controversiesover extent to beincluded

• Corridors betweenPA’s – Crestlineforest plateaus andescarpments.

• ESA’s – WesternGhats controversiesover extent to beincluded

Cultural Landscape• Biological diversity in paddy lands,

grazing areas, forest use.• People’s participation through:

– BMC’s/PBR’s/BHS/ABS– Through education-Schools / Colleges– For tourists and adjacent urban and city

dwellers-IC’s and Ecotourism homestays.

• Biological diversity in paddy lands,grazing areas, forest use.

• People’s participation through:– BMC’s/PBR’s/BHS/ABS– Through education-Schools / Colleges– For tourists and adjacent urban and city

dwellers-IC’s and Ecotourism homestays.

HotspecksManagement• ‘Super hot specks’ –

Jump sites.• Permeable matrix

management• Corridoring possibilities• ESA surrounds – PA

BuffersImpacts• Mining, Neo-townships,

Roads – Irreversible• Agriculture, grazing, fire

– Reversible by eco-development

• ‘Super hot specks’ –Jump sites.

• Permeable matrixmanagement

• Corridoring possibilities• ESA surrounds – PA

BuffersImpacts• Mining, Neo-townships,

Roads – Irreversible• Agriculture, grazing, fire

– Reversible by eco-development

Calculation of time taken using Detailed Assessment Tool

• 2837 sacred groves in Maharashtra (ENVIS, 2008)• 501 forts in Maharashtra (Mungikar, R. 2011)• 67 plateaus in Maharashtra (Watve, A. 2013)• Total 3405 sites• The Detail Assessment Tool requires three days per site for three experts• Time taken by DAT 3405 sites x 3 days = 10,215 days (approx 28 years)

• 2837 sacred groves in Maharashtra (ENVIS, 2008)• 501 forts in Maharashtra (Mungikar, R. 2011)• 67 plateaus in Maharashtra (Watve, A. 2013)• Total 3405 sites• The Detail Assessment Tool requires three days per site for three experts• Time taken by DAT 3405 sites x 3 days = 10,215 days (approx 28 years)

Calculation of time taken using Rapid Assessment Tool• The Rapid Assessment Tool requires one day per site for two field staff• 3405 sites / 10 teams = 340 days (approx 1 year)

COASTAL REGION

Ecosystems- Terrestrial: Coastal forests, coastal plains, mangroves - MumbaiMarine: Angria Bank Coral reef, Malwan sanctuaryCoastal grasses

Fauna: Estuarine birds, Turtle nesting sites- Velas. Fish and crustacea.

COASTAL REGION

People : Paddy/ Coconut farming/ Fisher folk.Impacts:• Overfishing.• Conversion of coastal plains to Urbanization.• Ports• Thermal power plants• Tourism• Climate change

Strategic outcomes for MSBB• Expertise development / Research / Data

– Natural sciences– Social sciences– Legal advice

• Human resources– Strengthen technical committees– Strengthen BMC

• Financial stability• Website – Apps• Convincing people• TKS preservation - Cultures

• Expertise development / Research / Data– Natural sciences– Social sciences– Legal advice

• Human resources– Strengthen technical committees– Strengthen BMC

• Financial stability• Website – Apps• Convincing people• TKS preservation - Cultures

Potential site selection for BMCsLANDSCAPES INCLUDE

Undisturbedforest

Undisturbedforest GrasslandGrassland

WetlandsTanks, Rivers

WetlandsTanks, Rivers

CoastCoast Hill rangeHill range

LOCAL CAPACITY

Unified PanchayatUnified PanchayatCommunity soil

and moisturedevelopment

Community soiland moisturedevelopment

Effective JFMCEffective JFMC Women’s self helpgroup

Women’s self helpgroup NOREGANOREGAUnified Panchayat

Community soiland moisturedevelopment

Effective JFMC Women’s self helpgroup NOREGA

UNIQUE BIODIVERSITY HOTSPECKSEvergreen

forestPlateaus

Evergreenforest

Plateaus

Sacred groveSacred site

(River, Pond)

Sacred groveSacred site

(River, Pond)

Historicalcultural sites

Historicalcultural sites

Tribal culture –Art, Craft,Folklore

Tribal culture –Art, Craft,Folklore

Local traditionfor medicine

Local traditionfor medicine

Hunter:Gathers,

Communitysite

Hunter:Gathers,

Communitysite

IMPORTANT COMMUNITIES

Tribalcummunity

Tribalcummunity AgricultureAgriculture Pastoralist

(Migrant)Pastoralist(Migrant) FisherfolkFisherfolk

Urban NGO, InterestedUniversity Botanist/

Zooligist

Urban NGO, InterestedUniversity Botanist/

Zooligist

Action plan for MSBB

BMC

PBRPBR

ABS

BHS

Selection of site with categoriesRecky visitRecky visit

Communitymeetings

Communitymeetings

Formation ofBMC

Formation ofBMC

RegisteringBMC

RegisteringBMC MSBBMSBB NBANBA

Interviews with local people and expertsInterviews with local people and experts

Use of Rapid Assessment Tool for prioritizationUse of Rapid Assessment Tool for prioritization

Setup for PBR data collectionSetup for PBR data collection

Identifying knowledge source and link to communityIdentifying knowledge source and link to community

Capacity buildingworkshop

Capacity buildingworkshop

Identify localknowledge

Identify localknowledge Specify objectivesSpecify objectives

Strengthencommunity

action

Strengthencommunity

action

Work on PBRWork on PBR Arrangefinancial issues

Arrangefinancial issues

Modify oraccept

document

Modify oraccept

document

MSBBAcceptance

MSBBAcceptance

NBAAcceptance

NBAAcceptance

Feed document into centralMSBB data system

Feed document into centralMSBB data system

Expert group evaluationExpert group evaluation

Capacity buildingworkshop for ABSCapacity buildingworkshop for ABS Identify potentialIdentify potential Plan financial

expected returnPlan financial

expected return ABSABSCapacity buildingworkshop for ABSCapacity buildingworkshop for ABS Identify potential Plan financial

expected returnPlan financial

expected return ABS

Natural resourceNatural resource

Medical plantsMedical plants

Livestock varietyLivestock variety

Indigenous cropsIndigenous crops

Wild fruit or vegetableWild fruit or vegetable

BHS SelectionBHS Selection

DocumentuniquenessDocumentuniqueness

Willingness ofBMCWillingness ofBMCWillingness ofBMCWillingness ofBMC

Managementcapacitybuildingworkshop

Managementcapacitybuildingworkshop

Markboundaryphysically,GPS andSatelliteimages

mapping

Markboundaryphysically,GPS andSatelliteimages

mapping

Documentmanagement

Documentmanagement

Notifymanagement

plan

Notifymanagement

planMSBBMSBB NBANBA

Public Awareness ……The need of the minute