1. Biodiversity Conservation
CHAPTER 6
Environmental Studies, 2e

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

19. The Great Banyan Tree at the Kolkata Botanical Gardens

20. 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.

21. Positive and Negative Stories
CITES
Project Tiger
Bhutan
Romulus Whitaker

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

23. Foreigners running away with medicinal plants

24. Exploitation by Pharma Companies

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

26. 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).

27. 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.