Conserving Biodiversity in Our Neighbourhoods

I was encouraged by the enthusiastic response of village panchayats in mapping and protecting their rare and endangered biodiversity by building on the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act (BDA), 2002. I had learnt how to bring the knowledge of experts who have studied the environmental sciences and the village experts who had practical observation and knowledge to make the legal documents called Biodiversity Registers; bring these enthusiasts together to form the statute Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC’s) of the Panchayats; discuss measures and implement Management Plans to protect and encourage biodiversity in the villages.

I was concerned that while all this was improving the environment in these villages, in my own city rampant development was taking away the homes of some of the most beautiful and even endangered species of flora and fauna. I wanted to test how the provisions of the BDA can help protect biodiversity in Bhuj city. The Act provides for Urban local bodies to also prepare Registers and form BMC’s but very few cities were aware or were coming forward to implement its provisions.

With the help of wildlife enthusiasts and botany experts, I have been developing the methodology for implementing the provisions of the Act in Bhuj. Towards this I have –

I hope to be able to form small committees at ward levels who come together to form the BMC at the Municipal level. PrepareBiodiversity Management Plans and ensure that important flora fauna habitats are provisioned in the Development Plan of the City. The local committees in each ward take up environmental regeneration work in line with the Management Plans. These plans will work towards building awareness and sensitivity among citizens, schools and colleges and authorities.

Lack of awareness for conservation of bio-diversity has been observed in urban areas primarily due to lack of knowledge about the importance of bio-diversity. This fellowship aims to sensitize urban communities on this issue and encourage them to conserve it. Hence, following activities planned under this fellowship:

• Ward-wise document and register biodiversity and prepare Public Biodiversity Register (PBR) for Bhuj Municipality,
• Assist Bhuj Municipality to constitute Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) for the city to conserve and manage the biodiversity and ecosystems,
• Assist Administration to declare Bhujiyo hill as Biodiversity Park and prepare an action plan for the same.