Parties to the the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are required to submit their first National Reports focussing on the implementation of Article 6 of the CBD. The text of Article 6 is as follows:
Each Contracting Party shall, in accordance with its particular conditions and capabilities :
(a) Develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity or adapt for this purpose existing strategies, plans or programmes which shall reflect, inter alia, the measures set out in this convention relevant to the Contracting Party concerned; and
(b) Integrate, as far as possible and as appropriate, the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies.
The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has granted US$ 25,000 to India for preparing the first National Report. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) commissioned the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai, to prepare the document. The Biodiversity Unit of the MOEF, is also closely associated in the exercise. Besides information from various ministries/departments, inputs from many NGOs, and individuals, have been used in the preparation of the document.
Shri Suresh P Prabhu, Hon'ble Union Minister, Environment & Forests, released the first National Report in Kavarathi, Lakshadweep on December 29 to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity.
The first National Report describes the progress made in the implementation of the CBD. It highlights India=s policies and programmes on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity including those on benefit sharing. The report also elucidates efforts made towards integrating biodiversity concerns in sectoral and cross-sectoral programmes.