BIODIVERSITY

And its conservation

BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity, a contraction of "biological diversity,"
generally refers to the variety and variability of life on
Earth. It is that part of nature which includes the
differences in genes among the individual of species.
 A glimpse at history
Biodiversity is the result of 3.5
billion years of evolution. The 
origin of life has not been
definitely established by science,
however some evidence suggests
that life may already have been
well-established only a few
hundred million years after the 
formation of the Earth. Until
approximately 600 million years
ago, all life consisted of archaea
, bacteria, protozoans and
similar single-celled organisms.
THE CURRENT STATE OF BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY
Many recently published sources, especially the multi
author volume Synopsis and Classification of Living
Organisms, indicate that about 1.4 million living
species of all kinds of organisms have been described
(Parker, 1982; see also the numerical breakdown
according to major taxonomic category of the world
insect fauna prepared by Arnett, 1985). Approximately
750,000 are insects, 41,000 are vertebrates, and
250,000 are plants (that is, vascular plants and
bryophytes). 
HOW MUCH DIVERSITY IS BEING LOST?
Across the range of biodiversity measures, current rates
of loss exceed those of the historical past by several
orders of magnitude and show no indication of slowing.
Biodiversity is declining rapidly due to land use
change, climate change, invasive species,
overexploitation, and pollution. These result from
demographic, economic, sociopolitical, cultural,
technological, and other indirect drivers.
While these drivers vary in their importance among 
ecosystems and regions, current trends indicate a
continuing loss of biodiversity
Effects of human activity
Virtually all of Earth’s ecosystems have now been dramat­
ically transformed through human actions.
Threats to Biodiversity
loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat
the spread of invasive species
unsustainable use of natural resources
climate change
Poaching
changes to the aquatic environment and water flows
Ways to conserve ?

Identify locations of critical wildlife habitat for species at risk and the threats to these areas. Where
possible, eliminate threats and maintain natural areas. Leave critical wildlife habitat undisturbed,
especially nesting and denning sites. Promote wildlife use by setting up bird and bat houses.

Eradicate and control introduced weeds on your property. Keep vehicles on main roads to reduce the
spread of weeds and disturbance to wildlife.

Leave native plants undisturbed, and landscape using native trees and vegetation. Native plants are
well adapted to local conditions and provide a low maintenance, drought resistant garden and can
prevent local flooding. Attract “good” insects by planting pollen and nectar plants.

Maintain wetlands by conserving water and reducing irrigation. Avoid draining water bodies on your
property.

Construct fences to protect riparian areas and other sensitive habitat from trampling and other
disturbances.

Manage livestock grazing to maintain good quality range conditions. Leave some areas ungrazed to
determine range characteristics to manage for.

Maintain old standing dead trees and mature forest stands. Large dead trees provide nest cavities for
many species and mature forest will be replaced by old growth over time.

Consider donating or leasing property to land trusts, or placing a conservation covenant on your
property. This process allows you to protect your land and benefit from potential tax breaks. Under
Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts program, a gift of land provides the greatest tax benefit of any
charitable gift.
Use natural products and methods for pest control such as BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) for
caterpillar infestation; use pesticides that have minimal residual effects such as pyrethrins,
insecticidal soaps and dormant oil sprays; use a high-pressure water stream from a hose to
control aphids; use barriers and collars around plants to keep pests away.
Monitor and assess your pets’ impact on biodiversity. Some domestic animals, especially
cats, are predators of wild animals and can devastate local population of native species. Cats
have been estimated to kill tens of millions of birds each year in North America.
Learn as much as you can about nature and share your knowledge with others. Visit
ecological interpretation centres, natural history museums and native fish hatcheries to
study local ecosystems. Volunteer at an organization that focuses on conservation or
restoration of habitat.
Encourage and support local government initiatives that protect habitat and decrease threats
to biodiversity.
Use environmentally friendly products. Dispose of hazardous material safely. Chemicals that
enter the sewer system can contaminate freshwater and ocean ecosystems.
Recycle, reuse and reduce. Recycling decreases pollution by decreasing energy, electricity,
and water consumption and the need for landfills.
Drive less, walk, ride or carpool more. Learn about low emission vehicle research and
availability
Suggestions for the future
1. Integrate management for parks & nearby federal
lands
2. Increase budget (1) add new parklands near old (2)
buy existing private land within parks (3)
maintenance
3. Locate commercial facilities outside of parks
4. Better surveys of wildlife conditions
5. Raise entry fees
6. Limit number of daily, yearly visitors
7. Encourage corporate sponsorship
CASE STUDIES
 MARADAVALLY STATE
FOREST
The forest area on the northern part of the village was covered by dense forests a decade ago,
but now due to rapid destruction, only thin forest exists.
The water requirements of the village and cattle are met by three lakes in the village. They
also serve as the water source for plantations and other agricultural fields in the village. There
is depletion of water in the lakes which could largely be influenced by the reduction of
forested areas.
Collection of MP is largely through the deployment of landless labourers by traditional
middlemen who either serve as contractors to the large pharmaceutical companies or who
run small tightly knit family enterprises on their own. This is augmented by collections from
local traditional herbal practitioners.
Cultivation of MPs is only through the government's joint forest management plan and to
the extent of 25 hectares. This is a seed initiative which after three years of government.
management was recently handed over to the “Saravathy Valayabhivrudhi Sanga”. This
organization will allow the community to share in the benefits though not in the ownership
of the forest area.
 
DEVARAYANADURGA
Devarayanadurga is in the midst of a chain of hills running across the eastern part
of Tumkur district in Karnataka.
This forest is a place of origin of many small streams and tributaries. The
prominent one is Jayamangali.
The climate is pleasant for most part of the year, and therefore attracts tourists
and naturalists throughout the year.
Two historically famous temples at the top of the hill attract many devotees across
the state round the year.
There is no apparent cultivation of MP in this region but there is a recent
initiative from the Forest Department to create a Medicinal Plant Conservatory in
an area of 20 hectares. At this early stage, there is no involvement of the local
community in the management of this conservatory.
The labour force deployed for collection in this study area tends to be labour
employed from outside the area by contractors. Hence, the issue of preservation
of biodiversity is confounded by the absence of vested interest
Kaziranga National Park
The biodiversity hot spot KNP is a unique place for its diverse flora and fauna and it attracts large number of tourists
every year. It is an ideal tourist spot in Assam. K.N.P. needs systematic and scientific approach for long-term sustainable
tourism development. The following are some of the suggestions for fostering sustainable tourism development.
i) The recurring flood and erosion of river Brahmaputra, Poaching, Mimosa Menace, Stray Rhino , Pollution of the
neibouring areas etc. are the major threats for conservation of biodiversity of this world heritage site. Priority should be
given for the protection and conservation of wildlife and natural resources of this park.
ii) In order to earn benefit of eco-tourism, infrastructure development, especially road, transport, power, accommodation
should be developed and enhanced.
 iii) Stress should be given on publicity in national and international level. Advertisement and press can play a vital role
in this area.
 iv) The entrepreneurs should get financial assistance from bank and other financial institutions. Proper training through
government and non-government agencies will enable the entrepreneurs to introduce innovative practices in their
activities
. v) State government should take serious steps for the development of the tourism of this destination.
vi) Co-operation between state tourism department, forest department, and N.G.Os. is needed for boosting up of
tourism in this area. Forest department should strictly follow the code of conduct of eco-tourism in this sector.
Conservation of biodiversity states the planning and management of biological resources in a way so as to secure their
wide use and continuous supply, maintaining their quality, value and diversity. The importance of conservation of
biodiversity is related for the enhancement of agricultural production, ecological balance, mitigation of environmental
pollution and natural calamities. The Kaziranga National Park has been recognized as an idea tourist destination. We
need concerted effort from all section of people of the society for conservation of rich biodiversity of this world heritage
site by spreading the slogan “Man and nature need each other and by hurting one we wound the other”.
Conclusion
Today, as ever, human beings are dependent for their sustenance,
health, well-being and enjoyment of life on fundamental
biological systems and processes. Humanity derives all of its food
and many medicines and industrial products from the wild and
domesticated components of biological diversity. Biotic resources
also serve recreation and tourism, and underpin the ecosystems
which provide us with many services.
While the benefits of such resources are considerable, the value of
biological diversity is not restricted to these. The enormous
diversity of life in itself is of crucial value, probably giving greater
resilience to ecosystems and organisms. Biodiversity also has
important social and cultural values
Acknowledging Sources
Internet links-
-google
-wikihow

Submitted by
Shivam Chauhan
Roll no 198