NSBB APPEALS FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

(A DIPR feature)

The survival of human beings and animals, both directly as well as indirectly, depends on biodiversity; as their basic needs in the form of food, water, and shelter are met from biodiversity. In addition to these tangible benefits, biodiversity plays a key role in carbon sequestration, amelioration of environment and climate change.

The Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) was signed by the world leaders in the Earth Summit at the Rio de Janerio in June 1992 by having realized the importance of biodiversity for survival and development of human beings. Different countries of the world enacted Acts and framed rules for conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use and equitable distribution of benefits accruing of its use and associated traditional knowledge. In our country, the Biodiversity Act was passed in 2002 and the Biodiversity Rules were framed in 2004 for achieving the aforementioned objectives. The Biodiversity Act had been ratified by the State Legislators and the Nagaland Biodiversity Rules, 2012 had been made for biodiversity conservation.

With the active support of the Forest Department / District Administration/ Rural Development Department, Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) have been constituted in the State in 1266 villages out of 1285 villages for achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). The constitution of BMC in remaining villages of the State is under progress.

The content of the Section 7 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is as under:

"No person, who is a citizen of India or a body corporate, association or organisation which is registered in India shall obtain any biological resources for commercial utilisation, or bio-survey and bio-utilisation for commercial utilisation except after giving prior intimation to the State Biodiversity Board concerned:

Provided that the provision of this section shall not apply to the local people and communities of the area, including growers and cultivators of biodiversity, and vaids and hakims, who have been practicing indigenous medicine. (Prior intimation to State Biodiversity Board for obtaining biological resources for certain purposes)

On behalf of the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board, Supongnukshi IFS, CCF & Member Secretary, NSBB has appealed to the public, Government officials, Village Councils, army and Para military personnel, students, NGOs and other stakeholders for protection and conservation of biodiversity. Any applicant, seeking extraction of biological resources for research or commercial purpose may apply to the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board.

(Source: Nagaland State Biodiversity Board)