The Ministry of Environment and Forests has prepared a National Policy and Macrolevel Action Strategy on Biodiversity through an extensive consultative process. This document is a macro level statement of policies, gaps and further actions needed for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. For preparing detailed microlevel action plans at state and regional levels based on this framework document, the Ministry has accessed funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for preparing a detailed National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
The NBSAP project envisages assessment and stocktaking of biodiversity-related information at state level including distribution of endemic and endangered species and site specific threats and pressures. Key features of this project include an emphasis on decentralised state level planning, and the use of interdisciplinary working groups to involve all sectors concerned with biodiversity conservation.
The expected outcome of the NBSAP project is an implementable and a realistic and practicable action plan, which can be easily translated into a number of projects at the ground level in
areas of priority that would contribute significantly towards conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the country. These projects will be implemented by securing utilisation of available infrastructure and funds with augmentation and further inputs and funds, through domestic as well as external resources.
The NBSAP project is for a duration of two years. MOEF is the executing agency for the project. The total cost of the project is US$ 9,68,200 which would be provided by UNDP/GEF.
To oversee the implementation of NBSAP project, a Steering Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Shri Vinod Vaish, Special Secretary with Shri RH Khwaja, Joint Secretary, as the Member Secretary. The other members of the Steering Committee are Additional Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife), representatives from DARE, DBT, DST, DOD, DISM&H, M/o Social Justice and Empowerment, DEA, Planning Commission, UNDP, and some experts.
For implementation of the NBSAP Project, a consortium arrangement between Biotech Consortium India Ltd. (BCIL) and Kalpavriksh has been worked out. While BCIL will act as the Coordinating Agency to deal with administrative, financial and logistic arrangements, Kalpavriksh will be the Coordinator of a Technical and Policy Core Group (TPCG) which will be responsible for technical execution of the project.
The NBSAP Process
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, is the overall incharge of the NBSAP process. Its execution is being done by a Technical and policy Core Group (TPPCG) headed by Kalpavriksh and comprising experts from various fields and parts of India, while its administration is being Coordinated by the Biotech Consortium India Ltd.
The Process of developing NBSAP will be highly participatory in nature, reaching out to a large number of village-level organizations and movements, NGOs, academicians and scientists , government offices from various line agencies, the private sector, the armed forces, politicians and others who have a stake in biodiversity. The NBSAP should be seen as much as a process as a final product. Through such a participatory approach, it will evoke much wider ownership of the process and product, and go a long way in ensuring the implementation of what is recommended in the final NBSAP.
In particular, the following will be attempted:
Workshops and public hearings at the level of selected districts and talukas, seeking inputs from women and men farmers, pastoralists, fisher-folk, and other user communities who are traditionally relating to biodiversity;
Consultation with political decision-makers at various levels;
Inputs from a range of 'expert' and ‘experienced’ individuals and organizations working on various aspects of biodiversity, including scientists, social activists, academicians, students, industri-alists, cultural leaders, politicians, etc.
A CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
Thiru T.R. Baalu, Minister (Environment & Forests) and Shri Babu Lal Marandi, Minister of State (Environment & Forests) formally launched the NBSAP Project in New Delhi. Shri Babu Lal Marandi also released a brochure entitled "Call for Participation", which is an announcement inviting the participation of various citizens, NGOs, Panchayats and Gram Sabhas, Government officials and agencies, students and teachers, farmers, fisher folk and tribals, experts, industrialists and business persons, the armed forces, politicians, artists and others for contributing to the NBSAP process. All the citizens could tick mark from the options listed in the following proforma (provided on the next page), the way in which they would like to contribute to the process and could send to the address given below.
Coordination:
National Project Director, NBSAP: R.H. Khwaja, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
Contact Address:
Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh, (Coordinator, NBSAP Technical and Policy Core Group)
C/o C. Renuka
(Member Secretary, NBSAP TPCG)
Biotech Consortium India Ltd.,
Kundan House, 4th Floor,
16, Nehru Place , New Delhi – 110019.
Tel: 91 11 6415314,6415385, 6219540
Fax: 91 11 6219541
Email: bcil@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in
PROFORMA
I would like to contribute to the NBSAP process by:
organising local workshops and public hearings;
holding an inter-departmental meeting;
pointing out and/or sending existing material/documents;
contributing new materials in writing, (please attach)
coordinating the preparation of an action plan for my region;
Others ( Please specify )
Name:
Address:
City/Town/Village:
Pincode:
State:
Telephone:
Fax:
Email: