BIODIVERSITY IN INDIAN

CONTEXT AND THE STEPS TAKEN

FOR THE CONSERVATION OF INDIAN
BIODIVERSITY

NAME - SYED MASOOM ZAKI

ROLL. NO. - 2017UIC3031

SUBMITTED TO - DR. JITIN RAHUL

UNIVERSITY - NETAJI SUBHAS UNIVERSITY OF

....... TECHNOLOGY

DIVISION - INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

..... ENGG.
 LIST OF CONTENTS

(1) INTRODUCTION TO BIODIVERSITY

(2) BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY

(3) TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
3.1 Genetic Diversity
3.2 Species Diversity
3.3 Ecological Diversity
(4) BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA
(5) CLASSIFICATION OF BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA
5.1 Malayan Biodiversity
5.2 Ethiopian Biodiversity
5.3 European Biodiversity
5.4 Indian Biodiversity
(6) NEED FOR CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
(7) THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA
7.1 Endangered species in india
7.2 Some endangered animals of India
7.2.1 Mammals
7.2.2 Amphibians and Reptiles
7.2.3 Birds

(8) GENERAL METHODS OF CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

8.1 In situ conservation
8.1.1 The different advantages of in situ conservation are as follows
8.1.2 Protected areas
8.1.3 National parks
8.1.4 Sanctuaries
8.1.5 Biosphere reserves

8.2 Ex-situ conservation

8.2.1 Some important areas under these conservation are
8.2.2 The strategies for ex-situ conservations are
8.2.3 The different advantages of ex-situ conservation are
8.2.4 Some disadvantages of this method are

(9) STEPS TAKEN FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN INDIA

9.1 Important Indian Acts passed related to Environment and Bio Diversity
9.1.1 Fisheries Act 1897
9.1.2 Indian Forests Act 1927
9.1.3 Mining and Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957
9.1.4 Prevention of cruelty to animals 1960
9.1.5 Wildlife protection act 1972
9.1.6 Forest Conservation Act 1980
9.1.7 Environment Protection Act 1986
9.1.8 Biological Diversity Act 2002
 9.1.9 Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (recognition of
.......... rights) act 2006

9.2 Policies related to Environment and Bio Diversity

9.2.1 National Forest Policy
9.2.2 National Conservation Strategy and Policy statement on Environment
......... ...........and Development
9.2.3 National Policy and macro-level action strategy on Biodiversity
9.2.4 National Biodiversity Action Plan (2009)
9.2.5 National Agriculture Policy
9.2.6 National Water Policy
9.2.7 National Environment Policy (2006)

(10) CONCLUSION

(11) REFERENCES
(1) INTRODUCTION TO BIODIVERSITY:

Biodiversity generally refers to the variety and variability of life on earth.

It is the foundation of all types of ecosystems. Biodiversity or biological diversity
is that part of nature which includes the differences in genes among the
individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the plant and animal
species at different space, locale and region. Biodiversity forms the foundation of
the vast array of ecosystem services that critically contribute to human well-
being.
Biodiversity is important in human-managed as well as natural ecosystems.
Decisions humans make that influence biodiversity affect the well-being of
themselves and others.
There are many measures of biodiversity; species richness (the number of
species in a given area) represents a single but important metric that is valuable as
the common currency of the diversity of life—but it must be integrated with other
metrics to fully capture biodiversity.

(2) BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity plays an important role in the way ecosystems function and in the
services they provide. The following is a list of some of the benefits, or services, of
biodiversity:
 Provisioning services such as food, clean water, timber, fiber and genetic
resources
 Regulating services such as climate, floods, disease, water quality and
pollination
 Cultural services such as recreational, aesthetic and spiritual benefits
 Supporting services such as soil formation and nutrient cycling

(3) TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity is broadly divided into three parts:
1. Genetic biodiversity
2. Species biodiversity
3. Ecosystem biodiversity

3.1 Genetic Diversity

Every species on Earth is related to every other species through genetic
connections. The more closely related any two species are, the more genetic
information they will share, and the more similar they will appear. An organism’s
closest relatives are members of its own species, or organisms with which it has the
potential to mate and produce offspring. Members of a species share genes, the bits
of biochemical information that determine, in part, how the animals look, behave
and live. One eastern gray squirrel, for example, shares the vast majority of its
genes with other eastern gray squirrels, whether they live in the same area or are
separated by thousands of miles. Members of a species also share complex mating
behaviors that enable them to recognize each other as potential mates.
3.2 Species Diversity
Species diversity is the variety of species within a habitat or a region. Species are
the basic units of biological classification and thus the normal measure of
biological diversity. Species richness is the term that describes the number of
different species in a given area. The world total is estimated at five to 10 million
species, though only 1.75 million have been named scientifically so far.

Some habitats, such as rainforests and coral reefs, have many species. For
example, tropical North and South America has about 85,000 flowering plant
species, tropical and subtropical Asia has more than 50,000 and tropical and
subtropical Africa has about 35,000. By contrast, all of Europe has 11,300
vascular plants. Yet other areas, such as salt flats or a polluted stream, have fewer
species. Species are grouped together into families according to shared
characteristics.

3.3 Ecological Diversity

Ecological diversity is the intricate network of different species present in local
ecosystems and the dynamic interplay between them. An ecosystem consists of
organisms from many different species living together in a region and their
connections through the flow of energy, nutrients and matter. Those connections
occur as the organisms of different species interact with one another. The ultimate
source of energy in almost every ecosystem is the sun. The sun’s radiant energy is
converted to chemical energy by plants. That energy flows through the systems
when animals eat the plants and then are eaten, in turn, by other animals. Fungi
derive energy by decomposing organisms, which releases nutrients back into the
soil. Thus, an ecosystem is a collection of living components (microbes, plants,
animals and fungi) and nonliving components (climate and chemicals) that are
connected by energy flow. Measuring ecological diversity is difficult because each of
Earth’s ecosystems merges into the ecosystems around it.

(4) BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA

India is one of the world’s most biologically and culturally diverse countries. It is
also one of the poorest in terms of per capita income.

The existence of mass poverty on an enormous scale lies upon two important facts:
first that the country exports natural products that command high prices in
overseas markets, such as basmati rice and Darjeeling tea, as well as products like
medicinal and aromatic plants that are major inputs in rapidly expanding
industries; and second that India has achieved significant capabilities in industrial
chemistry and the life sciences.

India is one of the world’s ‘mega diversity’ countries. It is ranked ninth in the world
in terms of higher plant species richness. At the ecosystem level, India is also well-
endowed, with ten distinct biogeographic zones.
 It also contains two of the world’s 25 biodiversity
hotspots, because of their extraordinarily high
levels of species-richness and endemicity, and
threatened status.

India is considered to be the centre of origin for

the following crop species pigeon pea, egg plant
cucumber, possibly cotton and sesame. But for
millennia, numerous other crop species have
been introduced to India and adapted to localised
conditions.

As a consequence of both the diversity of these

conditions and of the various ethnic populations
living in India, the country has become an
important centre of diversity of a great many
domesticated species, including various cereals,
millets, legumes, vegetables, temperate and
tropical fruits, fibre crops, medicinal and aromatic plants.

(5) CLASSIFICATION OF BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA

5.1. Malayan Biodiversity

It is along the densely forested areas of the Eastern Himalayas and along the
coastal areas.

5.2. Ethiopian Biodiversity

The arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan are characterised by this kind of
biodiversity.

5.3. European Biodiversity

This kind of biodiversity is found in the areas of upper Himalayas where the
climatic characteristics are mostly temperate in nature.

5.4. Indian Biodiversity

The dense forest areas of Indian plain are characterised by this kind of biodiversity.
(6) NEED FOR CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

Currently the planet is inhabited by several million species in about 100 different
phyla (Dirzo & Raven 2003). About 1.8 million have been described by scientists
(Hilton-Taylor et al.2008), but conservative estimates suggest that there are 5–15
million species alive today (May, 2000), since many groups of organisms remain
poorly studied. Over 15,000 new species are described each year (Dirzo & Raven
2003), and new species are evolving during our lifetimes. However, modern
extinction rates are high, at 100 to 1000 times greater than background extinction
rates calculated over the eras (Hambler 2004). Although new species appear,
existing species go extinct at a rate 1000 times that of species formation (Wilson
2003). Many biologists agree that we are in the midst of a mass extinction, a time
when 75% or more of species are lost over a short geological time scale (Raup
1994). The last great mass extinction was 65 million years ago, at the end of the
Cretaceous, when the dinosaurs went extinct. The International Union for the
Conservation of Nature estimates that 22% of known mammals, 32% of
amphibians, 14% of birds, and 32% of gymnosperms (all well-studied groups) are
threatened with extinction (Hilton-Taylor et al. 2008). Species that were abundant
within the last 200 years have gone extinct. For example, passenger pigeons, which
numbered three to five billion in the mid 1800s (Ellsworth & McComb 2003),are
now..extinct..

Why should we be concerned about this loss of biodiversity? The answer lies in the
fact that, for the first time in Earth’s history, a single species, Homo sapiens, could
cause a mass extinction, precipitating its own demise. The primary cause of today’s
loss of biodiversity is habitat alteration caused by human activities.

(7) THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA

India’s biodiversity is threatened by the destruction and degradation of ecosystems

and by over exploitation of species.

More specifically, the threats are inter alia due to the following:

1. Large-scale development projects such as mining and dam and road

construction.

2. Conversion of biodiversity-rich ecosystems, such as tropical forests to farmlands

and industrial and residential sites.
3. Poaching of wildlife and over-harvesting of forest products.

While there has been no comprehensive assessment of biodiversity loss, three of

four mammal species have been lost since 1950, and so also 15-20 plant species
have become extinct. By and large over ten per cent of India’s flowering plant
species are threatened with extinction. Of particular seriousness is the loss of agro-
biodiversity.In one district of the state of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal,
95 percent of rice varieties previously cultivated are no longer found. Although the
causes are various, this situation is primarily due to the replacement of low-input
poly-cultural agricultural systems with higher-input monocultures.

7.1 Endangered species in india

Due to rapid habitat loss, and over exploitation in particular large number of
epiphytes, herbs, climbers disappear from their native regions over the years. Many
orchids, tree, ferns, medicinal herbs of hills, cycads were considered as major
endangered plant species.

Identically large number of mammals, birds, reptiles, corals and fishes were
demarked as threatened in our country. A good number of conservation sites were
declared for protection of such endangered plants and animals.

It includes countrywide 28 tiger project sites, several crocodile conservation

programme, Elephant conservation sites and various bird conservation sites.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorized different
threatened species of the World for better recognition and subsequent action plan
for their conservation

Fig.Red panda and pitcher plant

As on today, a good number of plant and animal species considered to be
extinct from the planet earth due to various natural and anthropogenic
activities. The approximate numbers of extinct species of major categories
are given.

Over the years of exploration

made by Botanical Survey of
India and Zoological Survey of
India indicate the fact that
many Indian species of plants
and animals are said to be
threatened in their habitats. An
estimated number is shown

Over the years of exploration made by Bo-

tanical Survey of India and Zoological
Survey of India indicate the fact that
many Indian species of plants and
animals are said to be threatened in their
habitats. An estimated number is shown :
7.2 Some endangered animals of India-

7.2.1 Mammals

1) Black Buck
2) Blue whale
3) Chinese paugolin
4) Chinkara
5) Dugong
6) Golden langur
7) Himalayan Thar
8) Hoolock Gibbon
9) Indian elephant
10) Indian wild ass
11) Leaopard cat
12) Panther
13) Sloth bear
14) Wild buffalo
15) Tiger
16) Swamp deer
17) Snow leopard
18) Rhinoceros
19) Musk deer

7.2.2 Amphibians and Reptiles

1) Crocodiles
2) Gharial
3) Green sea turtle
4) Salamander

7.2.3 Birds

1) Andaman Teal
2) Bazas
3) Bengal Florican
4) Hornbills
5) Peafowl
6) Cheer Pheasant
7) Hanks
8) Monal Pheasants
9) Nicobar pigeon
10) Spur fowl
(8) GENERAL METHODS OF CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY:
There are two types of conservation methods namely in-situ and ex-situ
conservations. Let us discuss the different conservation methods along with their
importance.

8.1 In situ conservation:

The conservation of species in their natural habitat or natural ecosystem is known
as in situ conservation. In the process, the natural surrounding or ecosystem is
protected and maintained so that all the constituent species (known or unknown)
are conserved and benefited. The factors which are detrimental to the existence of
species concerned are eliminated by suitable mechanism.

8.1.1 The different advantages of in situ conservation are as follows:

(a) If is a cheap and convenient way of conserving biological diversity.

(b) It offers a way to preserve a large number of organisms simultaneously, known

or unknown to us.

(c) The existence in natural ecosystem provides opportunity to the living organisms
to adjust to differed’ environmental conditions and to evolve in to a better life form.

The only disadvantage of in situ conservation is that it requires large space of earth
which is often difficult because of growing demand for space. The protection and
management of biodiversity through in situ conservation involve certain specific
areas known as protected areas which include national parks, Sanctuaries and
Biosphere reserves.

8.1.2 Protected areas:

The protected areas are biogeographical areas where biological diversity along with
natural and cultural resources are protected, maintained and managed through
legal and administrative measures. The demarcation of biodiversity in each area is
determined on the basis of climatic and physiological conditions.

In these areas, hunting, firewood collection, timber harvesting etc. are prohibited so
that the wild plants and animals can grow and multiply freely without any
hindrance. Some protected areas are: Cold desert (Ladakh and Spiti), Hot desert
(Thar), Saline Swampy area (Sunderban and Rann of Kutch), Tropical moist
deciduous forest (Western Ghats and north East) etc. Protected areas include
national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves. There are 37,000 protected
areas throughout the world. As per World Conservation Monitoring Centre, India
has 581 protected areas, national parks and sanctuaries.

8.1.3. National parks:

These are the small reserves meant for the protection of wild life and their natural
habitats. These are maintained by government. The area of national parks ranges
between 0.04 to 3162 km. The boundaries are well demarcated and circumscribed.

The activities like grazing forestry, cultivation and habitat manipulation are not
permitted in these areas. There are about 89 national parks in India.

Some important national Parks of India are:

(i) Biological Park, Nandankanan, Orissa,

(ii) Corbett national Park Nainital, U.P. (First national Park)

(iii) Koziranga national Park, Jorhat, Assam

(iv) Tudula national Park, Maharashtra

(v) Hazaribagh national Park, Hazaribagh, Bihar

(vi) Band havgarh national park, M.P.

(vii) Bandipur national park, Karnataka.

(viii) Kanha National Park, M.P.

(ix) Reibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur

(x) Nawgaon National Park, Maharashtra

8.1.4. Sanctuaries:
These are the areas where only wild animals (fauna) are present. The activities like
harvesting of timbers, collection of forest products, cultivation of lands etc. are
permitted as long as these do not interfere with the project. That is, controlled
biotic interference is permitted in sanctuaries, which allows visiting of tourists for
recreation. The area under a sanctuary remains in between 0.61 to 7818 km.

Some important sanctuaries of Orissa are as follows:

(i) Nandankanan Zoological Park

(ii) Chandaka Elephant reserve

(iii) Simlipal Tiger Reserve

(iv) Bhitarkanika Wild life Sanctuary

(v) Gharial project at Tikarpada

(vi) Chilika (Nalaban) Sanctuary

8.1.5 Biosphere reserves:

Biosphere reserves or natural reserves are multipurpose protected areas with
boundaries circumscribed by legislation. The main aim of biosphere reserve is to
preserve genetic diversity in representative ecosystems by protecting wild animals,
traditional life style of inhabitant and domesticated plant/ animal genetic
resources. These are scientifically managed allowing only the tourists to visit.

Some important biosphere reserves are:

Simlipal, (Orissa), Sunderban (West Bengal), Kanha (M.P Kaziranga (Assam) etc.
The biosphere reserve net work was introduced by UNESCO 1971.

8.2 Ex-situ conservation:

Ex-situ conservation involves maintenance and breeding of endangered plants and
animals under partially or wholly controlled conditions in specific areas like zoo,
gardens, nurseries etc. That is, the conservation of selected plants and animals in
selected areas outside their natural habitat is known as ex-situ conservation.

The stresses on living organisms due to competition for food, water, space etc. can
be avoided by ex-situ conservation there by providing conditions necessary for a
secure life and breeding.

8.2.1 Some important areas under these conservation are:

(i) Seed gene bank,

(ii) Field gene bank;

(iii) Botanical gardens;

(iv) Zoos.

8.2.2 The strategies for ex-situ conservations are:

(i) Identification of species to be conserved.

(ii) Adoption of Different ex-situ methods of conservation.

(i) Long-term captive breeding and propagation for the species which have lost their
habitats permanently.

(ii) Short-term propagation and release of the animals in their natural habitat

(iii) Animal translocation

(iv) Animal reintroduction

(v) Advanced technology in the service of endangered species.

8.2.3 The different advantages of ex-situ conservation are:

(a) It gives longer life time and breeding activity to animals.

(b) Genetic techniques can be utilised in the process.

(c) Captivity breed species can again be reintroduced in the wild.

8.2.4 Some disadvantages of this method are:

(a) The favourable conditions may not be maintained always.

(b) New life forms cannot evolve.

(c) This technique involves only few species.

(9) STEPS TAKEN FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN INDIA

India is one among the 17 mega-diverse countries of the world. But many plants
and animals are facing the threat of extinction. To protect the critically
endangered and other threatened animal and plant species, Government of India
has adopted many steps, laws and policy initiatives.

Indian Government has taken various biodiversity protection steps. Important

measures include:

1. The Central Government has enacted the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The Act, inter alia, provides for the creation of Protected Areas for the
protection of wildlife and also provides for punishment for hunting of specified
fauna specified in the schedules I to IV thereof.
2. Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 have been framed for
the protection of wetlands, in the States.
3. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of
Aquatic Eco-System also provides assistance to the States for the
management of wetlands including Ramsar sites in the country.
4. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade
in wildlife, including endangered species.
5. Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History society and Salim Ali Centre
for Ornithology and Natural History are some of the research organisations
undertaking research on conservation of wildlife.
6. The Indian Government has banned the veterinary use of diclofenac drug that
has caused the rapid population decline of Gyps vulture across the Indian
Subcontinent. Conservation Breeding Programmes to conserve these vulture
species have been initiated at Pinjore (Haryana), Buxa (West Bengal) and Rani,
Guwahati (Assam) by the Bombay Natural History Society.
7. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitats‘ has been modified by including a new component namely ‘Recovery
of Endangered Species‘ and 16 species have been identified for recovery viz.
Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr,
Marine Turtles, Dugong, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar
Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian
Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s Courser.
8. Under the ‘Recovery of Endangered Species’ component of the Centrally
Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for the
recovery of endangered species viz. Hangul in Jammu and Kashmir, Snow
Leopard in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and
Arunachal Pradesh, Vulture in Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat, Swiftlet in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Nadu, Sangai Deer in
Manipur, the government has to spend lakhs of rupees.
9. Protected Areas, viz, National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and
Community Reserves all over the country covering the important habitats have
been created as per the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to
provide better protection to wildlife, including threatened species and their
habitat.
10. Financial and technical assistance is extended to the State Governments under
various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz, ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection
and conservation to wildlife.
11. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild
Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.
12. The State Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations
and intensify patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.

9.1 Important Indian Acts passed related to Environment and Bio Diversity

9.1.1 Fisheries Act 1897.

The Indian Fisheries Act was enacted on 4th February, 1897. It extends to whole
India expect territories which immediately settled before 1st November, 1956 in
part B. This Act should be read with other acts or supplement to other fisheries
law. For the act “Fish includes Shell-fish” and “Fixed Engine means a net, or a
cage, trap or any other scheme to catch fish which is fixed in soil or made static in
other way”.

If there is any destruction i.e., using of dynamite or any explosives substance by

any person in any water or any coast while catching fish or destroying fish then is
punishable with imprisonment for two month and fine which can extend to two
hundred rupees. If there is destruction by way of using poison like lime or noxious
material by any person in water to catch or destroy fish is punished with
imprisonment with two month and fine with two hundred rupees.

9.1.2 Indian Forests Act 1927.

The Indian Forest Act, 1927 was largely based on previous Indian Forest Acts
implemented under the British. The most famous one was the Indian Forest Act of
1878. Both the 1878 act and the 1927 one sought to consolidate and reserve the
areas having forest cover, or significant wildlife, to regulate movement and transit
of forest produce, and duty leviable on timber and other forest produce. It also
defines the procedure to be followed for declaring an area to be a Reserved Forest,
a Protected Forest or a Village Forest. It defines what is a forest offence, what are
the acts prohibited inside a Reserved Forest, and penalties leviable on violation of
the provisions of the Act.

9.1.3 Mining and Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957.

The Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act (1957) is an Act of
the Parliament of India enacted to regulate the mining sector in India. It was
amended in 2015 and 2016. This act forms the basic framework of mining
regulation in India.[1]
This act is applicable to all mineral except coal, minor minerals
and atomic minerals. It details the process and conditions for acquiring a mining
or prospecting licence in India. Mining minor minerals comes under the purview of
state governments.[1] River sand is considered a minor mineral.For mining and
prospecting in forest land, prior permission is needed from the Ministry of
Environment and Forests.
9.1.4 Prevention of cruelty to animals 1960.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is an Act of the Parliament of
India enacted in 1960 to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on
animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.[1] As
per the provisions of the law the government of India formed the Animal Welfare
Board of India.[2]
The act however makes a provision under heading [Chapter VI, Heading 28] "Saving
as respects manner of killing prescribed by religion" : Nothing contained in this Act
shall render it an offence to kill any animal in a manner required by the religion of
any community. [3]

9.1.5 Wildlife protection act 1972.

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted for
protection of plants and animal species. Before 1972, India only had five
designated national parks. Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of
protected plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was
largely outlawed. [1] The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and
plants; and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto. It
extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir which has
its own wildlife act. It has seven schedules which give varying degrees of
protection. Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection -
offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties. Species listed
in Schedule IIIand Schedule IV are also protected, but the penalties are much
lower. Schedule V includes the animals which may be hunted. The specified
endemic plants in Schedule VI are prohibited from cultivation and planting. The
hunting to the Enforcement authorities have the power to compound offences
under this Schedule (i.e. they impose fines on the offenders). Up to April 2010 there
have been 16 convictions under this act relating to the death of tigers.

9.1.6 Forest Conservation Act 1980.

The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 an Act of the Parliament of India to provide for
the conservation of forests and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or
incidental thereto. It was further amended in 1988.[1] This law extends to the
whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It was enacted
by Parliament of India to control further deforestation of Forest Areas in India. The
act came into force on 25 October 1980. It has five section.

.
9.1.7 Environment Protection Act 1986.

Environment Protection Act,1986 is an Act of the Parliament of India. In the wake

of the Bhopal Tragedy, the Government of Indiaenacted the Environment
Protection Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution. Passed in March
1986, it came into force on 19 November 1986.It has 26 sections.The purpose of
the Act is to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the
Human Environments. They relate to the protection and improvement of the
human environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living
creatures, plants and property. The Act is an “umbrella” legislation designed to
provide a framework for central government coordination of the activities of
various central and state authorities established under previous laws, such as the
Water Act and the Air Act.[1]

9.1.8 Biological Diversity Act 2002.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is an Act of the Parliament of India for
preservation of biological diversity in India, and provides mechanism for equitable
sharing of benefits arising out of the use of traditional biological resources
and knowledge. The Act was enacted to meet the obligations under Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD), to which India is a party. A foreigner, non-resident
Indian as defined in clause (30) of section 2 of The Income-tax Act, 1961 or a
foreign company or body corporate need to take permission from the NBA before
obtaining any biological resources or associated knowledge from India for
research, survey, commercial utilisation.[7] Indian citizens or body corporates need
to take permission from the concerned State Biodiversity Board.

9.1.9 Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (recognition of

..........rights) act 2006.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Act, 2006, is a key piece of forest legislation passed in India on 18
December 2006. It has also been called the Forest Rights Act, the Tribal Rights Act,
the Tribal Bill, and the Tribal Land Act. The law concerns the rights of forest-
dwelling communities to land and other resources, denied to them over decades as
a result of the continuance of colonial forest laws in India.
Supporters of the Act claim that it will redress the "historical injustice" committed
against forest dwellers, while including provisions for making conservation more
effective and more transparent. The demand for the law has seen massive national
demonstrations involving hundreds of thousands of people.[1]
However, the law has also been the subject of considerable controversy in the
English press in India. Opponents of the law claim it will lead to massive forest
destruction and should be repealed (see below).
A little over one year after it was passed, the Act was notified into force on 31
December 2007. On 1 January 2008, this was followed by the notification of
the Rules framed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to supplement the procedural
aspects of the Act

9.2 Policies related to Environment and Bio Diversity

9.2.1 National Forest Policy.

The Indian government has initiated the process of revamping its national forest
policy, but the new draft has critics on edge.

The current National Forest Policy 1988 (NFP-1988) was announced 30 years ago.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has now
published the Draft National Forest Policy 2018 (DNFP-2018), open for public
comments until April 14.
The new draft policy’s overall goal is to “safeguard the ecological and livelihood
security of people, of the present and future generations, based on sustainable
management of the forests for the flow of ecosystem services.”

The draft policy also aims to maintain at least one-third of India’s total land area
under forest and tree cover. In the hills and mountainous regions, the policy’s goal
is to maintain two-thirds of the area under forest and tree cover to both “prevent
soil erosion and land degradation and also to ensure the stability of the fragile
ecosystems.”

9.2.2 National Conservation Strategy and Policy statement on Environment

.........and Development.

The National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and

Development, 1992, the National Forest Policy 1988, and the Policy Statement on
Abatement of Pollution, 1992 are the major policy instruments of the Government
for dealing with various problems of environment and development in a
comprehensive manner. These documents also form the basis for devising
strategies, schemes and programmes and regulations for ensuring integration of
environmental considerations in the development activities of the various sectors,
thus paving the way for achieving sustainable development.

9.2.3 National Policy and macro-level action strategy on Biodiversity.

Pursuant to ratification of CBD, following an extensive consultative process with

various stakeholders, a National Policy and Macrolevel Action Strategy on
Biodiversity was developed, and approved by Committee of Secretaries in 1999,
which was submitted to the CBD Secretariat. Thereafter, the Ministry of
Environment and Forests implemented an externally-aided project on National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) from 2000-2004, under which 33
state level, 10 eco-region level, 18 local level and 13 thematic action plans were
prepared. On the basis of these action plans, a final technical report of NBSAP
project was prepared. While this report was accepted in 2005, it was decided that
preparation of the NBAP could be taken up only after approval of the National
Environment Policy. The Cabinet approved the National Environment Policy in
2006. Thereafter, preparation of National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) was taken
up, by revising and updating the National Policy and Macrolevel Action Strategy on
Biodiversity developed in 1999, and by using the final technical report of the
NBSAP project, so that the NBAP is in consonance with the National Environment
Policy. Inter-and intra-Ministerial consultations were undertaken on the draft
NBAP thus prepared. The revised NBAP incorporating the comments received has
been approved by the Cabinet on 6th Nov 2008. The NBAP document has been
printed and formally released by the Minister of State, MoEF on 24th Feb, 2009.
The document can be accessed on MoEF s website, as well as CBD website.

9.2.4 National Biodiversity Action Plan (2009).

The National Biodiversity Action Plan approved in November 2008 to augment
natural resource base and its sustainable utilisation. The Plan draws from the
principles of National Environment Policy,incorporates suggestions made by a
consultative committee and proposes to design actions based on the assessment of
current and future needs of conservation and sustainable utilization.
9.2.5 National Agriculture Policy.
The first ever National Agriculture Policy was announced on 28th July, 2000. The
formulation of Agriculture Policy had been under consideration of the Government
for the last few years as a comprehensive National Agriculture Policy was absolutely
essential to build on the inherent strength of the agriculture and allied sectors to
address the constraints and to make optimal use of resources and opportunities
emerging as a result of advancement in science and technology and emerging of a
new economic regime.

National Agriculture Policy seeks to actualise vast untapped growth potential of

Indian Agriculture, strengthen rural infrastructure to support faster agricultural
development, promote value addition, accelerate the growth of agro-business create
employment in rural areas, secure affair standard of living for the farmers and
agricultural workers and their families, discourage migration to urban areas and
face the challenges arising out of economic liberalization and globalization over the
next two decades

9.2.6 National Water Policy.

National Water Policy is formulated by the Ministry of Water Resources of

the Government of India to govern the planning and development of water
resources and their optimum utilization. The first National Water Policy was
adopted in September, 1987.[1] It was reviewed and updated in 2002 and later in
2012.
India accounts for 18% of the world population and about 4% of the world’s water
resources. One of the solutions to solve the country’s water woes is to link the
rivers.[2]
India has been successful in creating live water storage capacity of about 253
billion cubic meter(BCM) so far. In a first, the ecological needs of river have also
been taken into consideration.

9.2.7 National Environment Policy (2006).

The National Environment Policy (NEP) by the Ministry of Environment and

Forests (MoEF) aims at mainstreaming environmental concerns into all
developmental activities. It emphasises conservation of resources, and points that
the best way to aid conservation is to ensure that people dependent on resources
obtain better livelihoods from conservation, than from degradation of the
resources. It argues that environmental degradation often leads to poverty and
poor health outcomes among populations.

In addition to these there are many species related projects such as –

PROJECT TIGER

PROJECT RHINO
(10) CONCLUSION

India is one of the countries in the world which are very rich in biodiversity. There
is a plethora of flora and fauna in India. This includes genetic diversity within and
between species and of ecosystems. Thus, in essence, biodiversity represents all
life. India is one of the mega biodiversity centres in the world and has two of the
world's 18 'biodiversity hotspots' located in the Western Ghats and in the Eastern
Himalayas . But unfortunately, human activities have triggered a vicious chain of
events resulting in a multitude of environmental problems; for example: climate
change, global warming and pollution of air water and soil. All these factors
ultimately have culminated in the form of loss of biodiversity.

Sensing the urgency of the situation , many effective steps and measures have been
taken towards preserving what is left of the once rich biodiversity.

These include many policy decisions based on water and air conservation,
agriculture and forest protection etc. Apart from this many acts have been passed
to ensure the effective sustenance of biodiversity. For example, Forest
Conservation Act 1980, Wildlife protection Act, Environment Protection Act 1986,
Biological Diversity Act 2002 etc.
In addition to these policies and acts, several species specific projects have also
been launched such as Project Tiger, Project Rhino etc.
All these things have enabled humans to attempt to rectify their mistakes and
sustain what still can be sustained.

(11) REFERENCES

The following sources have been consulted during the preparation of the given
assignment:
https://www.isid.ac.in/~som/papers/BiodiversityinIndia_rev.pdf

http://www.biologydiscussion.com

http://www.aboutbioscience.org

http://www.environmentalpollution.in

https://lawyerslaw.org

http://envfor.nic.in/division/national-biodiversity-action-plan-nbap

www.cbd.int

http://www.indiawaterportal.org

www.moef.gov.in
LIST OF CONTENTS