National Initiatives
Following the signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ministry
of Environment and Forests in India initiated an exercise for the formulation
of a National Action Plan on Biodiversity (India, 1994). India finally
ratified the Convention on 18 February 1994. Other responses by the Government
of India to the conservation of biodiversity include:
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Project Tiger which was launched in 1973 and covers over 23 tiger reserves
in a total area of 3.05 million hectares. By 1993, it had succeeded in
increasing the tiger population to 3,750.
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Project Elephant which was launched in 1991–92 and aims to ensure the long-term
survival of elephant populations by restoring lost and degraded habitats,
mitigating people–elephant conflicts and by establishing a database of
the migration and population dynamics of elephants.
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The Crocodile Project which was launched in 1976 and aims to save the three
endangered crocodile species, namely the freshwater crocodile, the saltwater
crocodile and the rare gharial (Gavialis gangeticus).
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Biotechnology Research. For in situ conservation, recent technologies
and developments include germplasm facilities, tissue culture pilot plants,
biocontrol agents, biofertilizers, clean technologies and bioinformatics,
etc.
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Sacred groves. In Western Ghats and north-eastern parts of India, sacred
groves are a unique tradition which has been responsible for preserving
pockets of biodiversity. Sacred groves are usually a part of temple land
and are areas which are important because they represent the original flora
of the locality, preserved in its natural form without outside disturbance.
These patches of vegetation, and sometimes the fauna within them, such
as snakes and monkeys, are considered sacred and are worshipped by people
(India, 1992b and 1993).
The Bhutan Trust Fund (BTF), which was created in March 1991, will also
ensure sustainable finance for the preservation of Bhutan’s rich biological
diversity which will be under increasing pressure because of population
growth and economic development.
Regional Initiatives
The ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on the Environment – Strategy 5 establishes
a regional framework on biological diversity conservation and sustainable
use of its components. The main activities under this strategy are promoting
the development of a framework for the protection and conservation of heritage
areas and endangered species and strengthening capacities for research
and development (R&D) to enhance biodiversity conservation in the region
(ASEAN, 1994).
In line with the spirit of the Convention on Biodiversity, the Asian
Development Bank, has initiated efforts to translate its recommendations
into concrete actions through the provision of financial assistance to
its developing member countries (DMCs). In 1992, the Bank approved a loan
and technical assistance in Indonesia for biodiversity conservation covering
an area of about 500,000 hectares using the integrated protected area system
approach. The Bank also initiated a dialogue with the World Conservation
Union (IUCN) to identify the issues and the constraints affecting implementation
of the Convention with specific reference to the Asia-Pacific region (ADB/IUCN,
1994).
The SACEP Strategy and Programme (SPR-1, 1992–96) includes regional
co-operation on wildlife conservation and genetic resources and regional
co-operation on the conservation of corals, mangroves, deltas and coastal
areas as one of the 15 priority subject areas (SACEP, 1992).
In 1990, the IUCN’s Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AESG) completed
the Asian Elephant Action Plan in collaboration with the 13 Asian countries
where elephants still exist in the wild. The Action Plan provided both
a status report and an outline of conservation priorities. Its implementation
is the responsibility of the Asian Elephant Conservation Centre based at
the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India. |
