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of CBD. The learning also help to contribute
towards effective implementation of some of the
provisions of Indian Biodiversity Act 2002.
In my capacity as the Director of Biodiversity
Programme of MSSRF, I have plans to address the
issue of cultural erosion through dissemination of
the findings of this study as a reliable indicator data
on the positive aspects for developing a suitable
management plan for conservation of 'RET' plant
species. It must be said that, this experience should
help me to continue my effort in the area of
policies, research, education and action that can
enhance sustainable development and bio-cultural
diversity of this region.
IYBD-2010- Discussion and Exhibition on
Intangible Heritage of India (Policy and
Education Action)
The experience from this study stimulated the
Biodiversity Programme of MSSRF to plan an
international discussion on the subject of
community conservation, giving focus on to the
bio-cultural diversity in February 2010. The United
Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of
Biodiversity (IYBD) and invited the Member States
to use IYBD as a platform to increase awareness of
the importance of biodiversity. It is also an
occasion to assess the progress made by each
member country in achieving the 2010 Biodiversity
Target. When we assess the prospects of achieving
the Target through the lens of community-based
biodiversity or bio-cultural diversity, it can be seen
that the success is relatively insignificant at the
global and/or national levels, particularly with
reference to conservation and sustainable use of
the genetic diversity of socio-economic or cultural
value to ethnic communities. The proposed
meeting is intended to discuss the national level
efforts in achieving the 2010 Biodiversity Target,
with reference to conservation and enhancement
of agrobiodiversity in critical habitats, and also
integration of agrobiodiversity in achieving the
goal of food security and sustainable agricultural
production. The meeting will be held at M S
Swaminathan Research Foundation's HQ in
Chennai. One of the highlights of the meeting will
be an exclusive discussion on the role of biocultural
diversity in the management of
agrobiodiversity and an exhibition on the intangible
heritage of biodiversity conservation of India in
association with the Indian Natural History
Museum. Through this Meeting, we feel the
discussions on community biodiversity led by
MSSRF will take a concrete shape and contribute
towards developing an integrated approach for
biodiversity conservation.
Creating Research Fellowships for RET Tree
species & Bio-cultural diversity Conservation
(Education and Capacity Building Action)
More Research Fellowships are needed to attract
committed and skilled students to work in the area
of Bio-cultural diversity. MSSRF plan to purpose
such kind of a project as an attempt to link the
sciences of taxonomy, anthropology, ethno botany
and ecology for conservation of the rare, endemic
and threatened plant species of India. The Fellows
in the project will have to take up an integrated
conservation approach (both in-situ and ex-situ)
and deal with a set of RET species for studying the
culture, ethnic and spiritual attributes, taxonomy,
ecology and distribution and conservation status.
The Fellows in such kind of a project will be
trained by adhering to a standard curriculum known
for the kind of inter-disciplinary study envisaged
here. It is proposed the selected fellows actively to
concerned with and responsible for all the aspects
of conservation of the selected species.
Strengthening the Every Child- A -Scientist
Programme of MSSRF (Education and
Awareness Action)
A rapid erosion of Traditional Knowledge pertains
to the environment and biodiversity is experienced
amongst the younger generation in India. If this
trend continues, we may lose forever the
knowledge, traditions and customs related to the
culture of this region in the near future. We
understand that it is all the more important to give
focus on to education of the children and youth on
the importance of TK, particularly that associated
with NWFPs, agriculture and healthcare systems.
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