Part 1 - English version (PDF) - Convention on Biological Diversity

CHAPTER 2
THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY
STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Article 6(a) of the CBD calls upon <strong>Part</strong>ies to 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 <strong>Convention</strong> relevant to the
Contracting <strong>Part</strong>y concerned.
At the Central Government level, MoEF is the focal point for biodiversity conservation as well as
for all environment and forest related matters. Biodiversity being a multi-disciplinary subject, several
other Ministries/Departments and affiliated agencies at the Central and State levels are also undertaking
biodiversity related programmes. At the Central level, the Ministries/Departments of Agriculture, Health,
Water Resources, Rural Development, Power, Industry, New and Renewable Energy, Urban Development,
and Science and Technology, and others have important programmes relating to biodiversity.
India’s strategy for conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity has evolved through various
initiatives addressing specific issues viz., National Forestry Action Plan, National Conservation Strategy,
National Environment Action Programme, NWAP, etc.
In pursuance of Article 6 of the CBD, India within five years of ratifying the <strong>Convention</strong>, had
developed a National Policy and Macro-level Action Strategy on Biodiversity, in 1999 through an
extensive consultative process. Thereafter, an externally aided project on NBSAP was also implemented
in the country during 2000 – 2004, adopting a highly participatory process involving various stakeholders,
under which several sub-national level action plans were developed (Table 2.1). On the basis of these
action plans, a final technical report of NBSAP was prepared.
Table 2.1: Details of BSAPs
S.No. Level Number of Purpose
outputs
1. States and Union Territories 33 Status of knowledge, and strategies and priorities for action
2 Local (sub-state) sites 18 Status of knowledge highlighting unique features of biodiversity
components
3. Eco-regions 10 Unique features of selected eco-regions and potential strategies for
action
4. Thematic Working Groups 13 Covered all the aspects in tune with the objectives of the <strong>Convention</strong>
5. Sub-thematic reviews 34 Included the areas of cross sectoral aspects such as mining,
community conserved areas, tourism, dams, etc.
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