Conservation Policy on Floral Diversity of South Asian Region with special reference to India

1. Conservation Policy on Floral Diversity of South Asian Region with special reference to India Dr. P.Pushpangadan Director National Botanical Research Institute Lucknow (India) March 2003

2. Genesis of the Global Concern on Biodiversity Conservation • First discussed in 1972 U. N. Conference at Stockholm • U. N. General Assembly by a resolution on 15th December 1972 established UNEP. . • First Governing Council met in 1973 identified Conservation of Nature, Wildlife and Genetic Resources as Priority areas. • The World Commission on environment and Development (WCED) was constituted in 1983. • WCED submitted its report ‘Our Common Future’ in 1987 called for Conservation of Biodiversity for Sustainable Development.

3. Genesis of the Global Concern on Biodiversity Conservation • UNEP constituted an ad-hoc. Working Group of Technological and Legal experts to prepare an international legal instrument for conservation and sustainable use of Biodiversity which resulted in ‘CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY’ (CBD). • 171 countries signed CBD in June1992 during the Earth summit at Rio de Janeiro. • CBD came -into force as an International Law On 29th Dec. 1993.

4. Genesis of the Global Concern on Biodiversity Conservation • India ratified CBD on 18th February 1994 and came into force from 19th May 1994. • 186 countries are now parties to CBD (as on Feb 2003)

5. Biodiversity • According to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), biodiversity is “the variability among all living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

6. Biodiversity • Biological diversity is the central tenet of nature, one of its key defining features. Evolution has produced an amazing variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms, intricately interconnected, and worthy of respect and conservation in their own right. Biodiversity is also the basis for the continuous evolution of species. This diversity is also the backbone of human societies and cultures, in terms of the ecological functions it provides and the myriad survival and livelihood it meets.

7. Biodiversity • The term 'biodiversity' is being taken in its holistic sense, to encompass all levels of biodiversity, ecological and evolutionary processes, including: • Natural ecosystems: e.g. forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, mountains, coastal and marine areas, including the historical changes taking place in such ecosystems. • Wild species and varieties: species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms existing in their natural state and the genetic variation within each of these species.

8. Biodiversity • Agricultural ecosystems: e.g. farmlands, pastures, capture fisheries, aquaculture, including historical changes in land-use patterns. • Domesticated species and varieties: species of crops livestock (including poultry), captive-bred fish, pets, and micro organisms in ex-situ collection and the genetic variation within each of these species. • In general we may say that Biodiversity exist at a various levels such as • species, genetic and habitat

9. Major events in Geological record (the cosmic calendar)

10. Major events in Geological record (the cosmic calendarContinue)

11. Reasons for Conserving Biodiversity • Ethical • Ecological • Economic • Aesthetic • Evolutionary

12. Action Programme • Prepare -passport data of all important and endemic biodiversity passport data should cover morphological cytological chemical and molecular level (DNA/gene level) information so as to prevent bio/germplasm. • Identification of problems and solutions in conservation, threatened status of species, ecosystems -with ca uses of threats. • Identification of problems and solutions in conservation.

13. Conservation of Biodiversity Strategies &Priorities IUCN, UNEP & WWF 1980 came out with the first global strategy for Conservation. This strategy defined conservation as : "Management of human use of biodiversity so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generation " This definition involves two complementary components , ‘Conservation' and sustainability

14. Conservation of Biodiversity Strategies &Priorities • Primary Goal of World Conservation Strategy is: • Maintenance of essential ecological processes and life support systems on which human survival and economic activities depend • Preservation of species and genetic diversity • Sustainable use of species and ecosystems which support millions of rural communities as well as major industries. • Thus a logical strategy for conservation of • biodiversity should involve: • Protection, preservation, maintenance, exploitation, • conservation and sustainable utilization of • Biodiversity

15. Conservation of Biodiversity Strategies &Priorities Most widely accepted scientific methods of biodiversity conservation are: (i)In situ methods & (ii) Ex situ methods In situ conservation This is being done by effecting protection of Natural habitat(s) as such so as the species or stock of biological communities in their natural state is protected from human intervention e.g. Biosphere reserves, national Parks, wild life sanctuaries, sacred groves or other protected natural ecosystems or on farm agro diversity. The idea of establishing protected areas & network has been taken a central place in all policy decision process related to biodiversity conservation both at national and international levels

16. R&D work on Plant Biodiversity Thrust Areas & Future Strategies • Complete survey, inventory, documentation and preparation of digital database along with virtual herbarium • Identification of rare, endangered and endemic plants • Bioprospecting of biodiversity and selection. • Domestication, genetic enhancement and development protocol for cultivation of selected wild plant. • Development of package of practices for post harvest management and processing. • Development of location specific value added product development from locally available bioresources that convert the local biodiversity into economic wealth & thereby generating gainful mass rural employment and prosperity to the nation.

17. Strength of South East Asia in Biodiversity • Rich in all levels of biodiversity species, genes, habitat. • Rich in cultural diversity that generated rich fund of indigenous knowledge systems. • Humanity has tapped only a fraction of this nature's vast genetic library. • Over 80-85% genetic resources of South Asian countries are hitherto untapped. • Excellent opportunity for hunting novel genes, drugs, pharmaceuticals, new chemicals / raw materials for new industrial ventures.

18. Action Programme • Important points that the biodiversity rich • third world nations should undertake: • Complete inventory & documentation of all Biological resources including the microorganisms • Check list/database of the floristic wealth of the nation along with the • associated knowledge system • Ground check to know the actual situation and identify the gaps: • Study- genetic diversity, distribution pattern, association pattern and gradients • Identify- rare, endemic and endangered status of spp. , if any.

19. Chemical prospecting • Drug and pharmaceuticals • Pesticides • Cosmetics • Food additives • Other industrially valuable Chemical products BIOPROSPECTING • Gene prospecting • Genetic Engineering • Crop development • Fermentation • Cell culture • Bionic prospecting • Designs • Sensor technologies • Architecture • Bioengineering • Bio-modeling

20. Biodiversity & IK / TK Bioprospecting Biotechnology Information Technology • Drug • development • Pharmaceuticals • Agro-chemistry • Cosmetics • Proteins • Enzymes • New crop • varieties • GMOs • GM foods • Designs, etc. Herbal technology Bioinformatics Conservation Benefit sharing Sustainable use IPR BIOPROSPECTING : LINKAGES AND LEADS

21. IPR Issues / Benefit Sharing Strategies • Appropriate Procedures for IPR Protection & Benefit Sharing • Article 8(j) {CBD} • National Biological Diversity Bill (2002) • Patent (II) Amendment Bill (1999) • Plant Variety Protection and Plant Breeders & Farmers’ & Rights Act 2001 of India.

22. IPR Issues / Benefit Sharing Strategies(contd.) • Documentation & Registration of TK – Medicinal plant use & Conservation at local , state and national level. • Contribution to TKDL & TKRC • Value addition to TK & Indigenous Medicinal Plants – Scaling up IPRs • Herbal drugs, Pharmaceuticals, Natural products & Byproducts, Nutraceuticals, Functional foods, etc.

23. 10000 plant species are used by tribes of India 8000 Medicinal Total 10000 species 325 3500 Edible 425 Pesticides 1000 Others 550 Fibre Gums, Resins & Dyes

24. 900 sp. Ayurveda 700 sp. INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE Unani 600 sp. Siddha 250 sp. Amchi 30 sp. Modern 8000 species THE INDIAN FLORA (ca 17500 species)

25. Bioprospecting and the new IPR regime Given the global trends in capturing the intellectual property markets, the third world nation like India now needs to look ahead for the best possible ways and means by which they can generate IPR and build up IPR covered bioindustrial regimes. Biotechnology (BT), Information Technology (IT) and Herbal Technology (HT) are the three fast emerging and powerful areas of R&D in current century. The rich biodiversity, associated knowledge systems and human resources etc. are the strength of south asian countries, and therefore have the best opportunity.