E. Human research development and personnel planning.
F. Conservation awareness and education. G. Development of wildlife tourism.
H. Integration of National Wildlife Action Plan with other sectoral programmes.
“Beneficiary/Oriented Scheme for Tribal
Development Objectives and Components” has been launched to re-habilitate the tribal and other families proposed to be shifted from inside the protected areas to outside areas under relocation plan. The main objectives of this scheme are to identify the villages to be relocated, to identify the sites for relocation and to prepare rehabilitation projects.
The “Eco-development Scheme in and around National Parks and Sanctuaries” has been launched to provide alternate sources of sustenance to the communities living at the fringes. It aims to improve the ecological productivity of the buffer zones of protected areas through the involvement of these communities. The various activities undertaken in the scheme include biomass regeneration, soil and water conservation measures, alternative source of energy, human and livestock health, etc.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII), as an autonomous institute of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, trains the government and non-govt. personnel to carry out research and advise on matters of conservation and management of wildlife resources. The mission of the National Zoological Park (NZP), set up in 1959 at New Delhi, is to maximise the visitors satisfaction by maintaining a healthy collection of a variety of endangered as well as common fauna.
The Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) is the apex advisory body in the field of wildlife conservation, headed by the Prime Minister. In its 21st meeting at New Delhi the following resolutions were adopted:
(1) Wildlife and forest shall be declared priority sector at the national level for which funds should be earmarked.
(2) We should fully tap the potential in wildlife tourism and at the same time take care that it does not have adverse impact in wildlife and protected areas.
(3) Protecting interests of the poor and tribals living around the protected areas should be handled with sensitivity and with maximum participation of the affected people.
(4) We should also respond to newer threats to bio-diversity such as toxic chemicals and pesticides.
(5) Different forms of media should support the conservation.
(6) No diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes from critical and ecologically fragile wildlife habitat shall be allowed. (7) Land falling within 10 km. of the boundaries
of National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as eco-fragile zones.
(8) No commercial mono-culture to replace natural forests.
Concept of ‘Threatened Species’
The rare species of plants and animals have been categorized for conservation purposes by the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The following categories have been identified:
Endangered: The species which are in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue to be operating. Their number has been reduced to a critical level or their habitats have been so drastically reduced that they are deemed to be in immediate danger of extinction.
Vulnerable: The species likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the causal factors continue to operate.
Rare: These are species with small populations in the world. These are not at present endangered and vulnerable, but are at risk.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
According to the 2012 World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, life on earth is disappearing fast and will continue to do so unless urgent action is taken. There are now 63,837 species on the IUCN Red List and 19,817 of them are threatened with extinction. The total number of extinct species has reached 905. One in four mammals, one in eight birds, one third of all amphibians and 70 per cent of the world’s assessed plants on the IUCN Red List are in jeopardy.
With 3,947 described as "critically endangered" and 5,766 as "endangered", while more than 10,000 species are listed as "vulnerable". At threat are 41 per cent of amphibian species, 33 per cent of reef-building corals, 30 per cent of conifers, 25 per cent of mammals, and 13 per cent of birds. The IUCN Red List has listed 132 species of plants and animals from India as "Critically Endangered".
Highlights of Red List: The population of great apes has declined by more than 60 per cent over the last 20-25 years. Corals have been assessed and added to the IUCN Red List for the very first time. In addition, 74 seaweeds have been added to the IUCN Red List from the Galápagos Islands. Ten species are listed as Critically Endangered, with six of those highlighted as Possibly Extinct. India's and Nepal’s crocodile, the Ghariyal (Gavialis gangeticus) is also facing threats from habitat degradation and has moved from Endangered to Critically Endangered. Vultures in Africa and Asia have declined, with five species reclassified on the IUCN Red List. In Asia, the Red-headed Vulture moved from Near Threatened to Critically Endangered while the Egyptian Vulture moved from Least Concern to Endangered.
International Agreements to Conserve Birds
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971):
Nearly 2,131 wetland sites in 168 countries, covering around 205,490,520 hectares, have been designated for protection and monitoring under this international agree- ment to conserve wetland and use them sustainably. The convention was developed and adopted by participating nations at a meeting in Ramsar, Iran on February 2, 1971 and came into force on December 21, 1975.
Programme on Man and the Biosphere and World Heritage Convention (1972) under UNESCO: These initiatives set a framework for designating, protecting and monitoring some of the world’s most important biodiversity and cultural hotspots.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1975): It is an international agreement by 178 countries to monitor international trade in wild animals and plants and ensure that trade does not put wildlife in jeopardy.
Biosphere Reserves
The idea of biosphere reserve was initiated by UNESCO under the aegis of its Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme, to provide a global network of protected areas for conserving natural communities. It was a new concept which “was elaborated by a workshop convened by UNESCO in 1973, which highlighted the need to conserve diversity of living organisms essential for economic, scientific, educational and cultural needs of the present and future generations. Following are the objectives of biosphere reserves: (i) To conserve representative samples of ecosystem of the world as opposed to species or habitat conservation.
(ii) To promote and facilitate ecological and environmental research.
(iii)Provide opportunities for education and training to local people regarding biosphere and its conservation.
(iv) Promote appropriate sustainable manage- ments of the living resources.
(v) Promote international co-operation. In brief, we may say that special feature of biosphere reserve is that it combines four major objectives- (i) conservation (ii) research (iii) education, and (iv) local involvement.
They include a wide range of ecosystems, ranging from undisturbed communities to degraded areas. In a biosphere reserve, multiple land use is permitted by designating various zones, the Core Zone (where no human activity is permitted), the Buffer Zone (where limited human activity is allowed), and the Manipulation
Zone (where a large number of human activities would go on).
The core area of biosphere reserve should be kept completely free from tourism or any other activity. The buffer zone can be used in a limited way for wildlife educational tourism and related (non-destructive), social, cultural and economic activities by the local population.
Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB)
MAB is an interdisciplinary research programme which emphasizes an ecological approach to the study of interrelationship between man and environment. It is to be implemented in close cooperation with different organizations of the United Nations and suitable non-governmental organizations at global level. Through this programme, attention is to be focused on the structure and systematic data about the changes brought about by man in the biosphere and its resources, overall effects of these changes on humans itself and the education and information to be provided on these aspects.
Objectives of MAB
The general objective is to develop the basis within the natural and social science for the rational use and conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the improvement of the global relationship between man and the environment to predict the consequences of today’s activities on future world and thus to increase man’s consciousness to manage efficiently the natural resources of the biosphere. There is a two-fold scientific approach of the programme:
(i) Analysis of the ecosystems: Study of the structure and function of natural as well as crop ecosystems and comparison of natural, man-managed and urban systems to evaluate actual net primary production and studies on biogeochemical cycles.
(ii) Impact of man on the environment and of the environment on man: Man’s impact may be due to factors such as population increase, demands of urban conglomerates for recreational space and consequences of waste disposal and engineering works. Other activities include, grazing pressures of large herbivores, application of biocides, irrigation, and different cultural practices.
Modifications in biosphere done by man, in turn have strong influence on man himself. This requires the conservation of nature, which implies man’s respect and responsibility for all other forms of life on earth. Thus in shaping his environment man is in fact shaping his own future. An important aspect of MAB is therefore to study how man perceives his environment and acts upon it in natural managed and urban systems and how these environments act upon him.
Biosphere Reserve Network Programme
Biosphere Reserve network Programme was launched in 1971 by UNESCO under the aegis of its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, to provide a global network of protected areas for conserving natural communities. Following are the objectives of Biosphere Reserves:
To conserve representative samples of ecosystem of the world as opposed to species or habitat conservation.
To promote and facilitate ecological and environmental research.
Provide opportunities for education and training to local people regarding biosphere and its conservation.
Promote appropriate sustainable manage- ments of the living resources.
Promote international co-operation. They include a wide range of ecosystems, ranging from undisturbed communities to degraded areas. In a biosphere reserve, multiple land use is permitted by designating various zones, the Core Zone (where no human activity is permitted), the Buffer Zone (where limited human activity is allowed), and the Manipulation Zone (where a large number of human activities would go on).