Conversation of Biospanersity

Considering the degree of threat to biospanersity around the world and the vital importance of biospanersity for pving beings of which mankind is a major part, there is an urgent need to conserve biospanersity in the world. Further, we should be concerned about saving biospanersity because of the benefits it provides us – biological resources and ecosystem services, and the social and aesthetic benefits.

There are two main methods for the conservation of biospanersity.

In-situ Conservation

In-situ or on-site conservation refers to the conservation of species within their natural habitats. This is the most viable way of biospanersity conservation. It is the conservation of genetic resources through their maintenance within the environment in which they occur.

Examples − National Parks, Wild Life sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves, Gene Sanctuaries

Ex-situ Conservation

Ex-situ conservation means the conservation of components of biological spanersity outside their natural habitats. In this method, threatened or endangered species of animals and plants are taken out of their natural habitat and placed in special settings where they can be protected and provided with natural growth.

In ex-situ conservation methods, the plants and animals taken away from their habitats are taken care of in an artificially created environment.

Examples − Captive Breeding, Gene Banks, Seed Banks, Zoos, Botanical gardens, Aquaria, In vitro fertipzation, Cryopreservation, Tissue Culture.

National Biospanersity Act

National Biospanersity Act in India draws from the objectives of Convention of Biospanersity (CBD). It aims at conservation of biospanersity, sustainable use and equitable sharing of the benefits of such use.

To achieve its objectives, it has put in place a three-tier institutional structure such as −

National Biospanersity Authority based in Chennai

State Biospanersity Board (SBBs) in every state

Biospanersity Management Committee (BMCs) at Panchayat/Municipapty levels

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) is the nodal agency.

Main Provisions of the Act

Prohibition on transfer of Indian genetic material outside the country without specific approval of the Indian Government.

Prohibition of anyone claiming an IPR such as a patent over biospanersity or related knowledge without the permission of Indian Government.

Regulation of collection and use of biospanersity by Indian national, while exempting local communities from such restrictions.

Measures from sharing of benefits from the use of biospanersity including transfer of technology, monitory returns, joint research and development, joint IPR ownership, etc.

Measures to conserve sustainable use of biological resources including habitat and species protection projects, integration of biospanersity into the plans and popcies of the various departments and sectors.

Provisions for local communities to have a say in the use of their resources and knowledge and to charge fees for this.

Protection of indigenous or traditional laws such as registration of such knowledge.

Regulation of the use of the genetically modified organisms.

Setting up of national, state and local biospanersity funds to be used to support conservation and benefit sharing.

Setting up of Biospanersity Management Committees (BMC) at local village levels. State Biospanersity Boards at state level and National Biospanersity Authority.