Biodiversity Conservation CHAPTER 6 Environmental Studies, 2e

Chapter Objectives After studying this chapter, the reader should be able to: Explain the meaning of in-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity List the advantages and disadvantages of creating reserves for in-situ conservation Describe the working of seed banks and point out their drawbacks Discuss the role of zoos and botanical gardens in biodiversity conservation Realize the importance of involving local communities in conservation

Chapter Objectives (contd) Recall the main international Conventions and Agreements that seek to promote biodiversity conservation Explain the main features of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its positive and negative implications Discuss the measures taken in India to conserve biodiversity and the country’s response to the Convention on Biological Diversity Explain what biotechnology does, the expected benefits, and the associated problems

The Story of Olive Ridley Turtles Thousands of turtles migrate annually to Orissa coast Threats during journey includes ships, marine garbage, oil spills, and toxic chemicals Lay millions of eggs on beach, thousands destroyed, many hatchlings die Turtles cut by trawler blades or caught in fishing nets Limited attempts to protect the turtles.

Biodiversity Conservation in-situ conservation: national parks and reserves ex-situ conservation: zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, seed banks use of indigenous knowledge to conserve biodiversity involve local communities in the conservation process make use of their traditional knowledge compensate the communities for the knowledge they share

Madras Snake Park The Chennai Snake Park Trust is a not-for-profit NGO constituted in 1972 by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker and is India's first reptile park.

International Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation World Conservation Strategy Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention on Biological Diversity

Biodiversity Conservation in India National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biospheres, reserve forests Special tiger reserves Botanical gardens, zoos, safari parks, aquariums Use of indigenous knowledge National Biodiversity Action Plan

By 1970, India only had five national parks. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant species. As of April 2012, there were 112 national parks. All national park lands then encompassed a total 39,919 km2 (15,413 sq mi) , comprising 1.21% of India's total surface area.

A total of 166 national parks have been authorized A total of 166 national parks have been authorized. Plans are underway to establish the remaining scheduled parks. All of India's national parks are listed

1.1 National parks 1.2 Animal sanctuaries 1.3 Biosphere reserves 1.4 Reserved and protected forests 1.5 Conservation and community reserves 1.6 Village and panchayat Forests 1.7 Private protected areas 1.8 Conservation areas

The Great Banyan Tree at the Kolkata Botanical Gardens

Biotechnology manipulates the genes in an organism to change its characteristics. can make a plant resistant to specific pests or diseases can produce new varieties of plants with some desired characteristics. could lead to new and improved methods for preserving plant and animal diversity. by increasing the value of biodiversity, it could lead to better conservation.

Positive and Negative Stories CITES Project Tiger Bhutan Romulus Whitaker

The story of CITES: Stop the trade, save the species

Foreigners running away with medicinal plants

Exploitation by Pharma Companies

Keywords & Phrases of Chap.6 in-situ conservation ex-situ conservation biotechnology Intellectual Property Rights

Key Points of Chap.6 We can protect species in their habitat or away from their habitat. The number of and area covered by the world’s reserves have increased, but their management is not satisfactory. Seed banks, zoos, and botanical gardens are important for biodiversity conservation, but they are beset with many difficulties. There are international agreements to promote biodiversity conservation, the most important being the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Key Points of Chap.6 (contd) Under CBD, India has prepared a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. India has taken measures like the creation of biosphere reserves, protected areas, zoos, and botanical gardens for conserving biodiversity. Biotechnology promises immense benefits for agriculture, food production, and health, but brings with it many problems too.