The National Academy of Sciences, India

Report & Recommendations on

81^st Annual Session of NASI & the National Symposium on “Sustainable Management of Biodiversity using Science & Technology” held in University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram from 24th to 26th November 2011

A Prelude : The global population may have exceptional rise to about 9 billion in 2050. Food, shelter, energy, employment, health care etc would depend more and more on the bioresources of the Planet Earth. The uncertainty due to climate change, agriculture pattern, urbanization etc, all these issues are closely linked with biodiversity, economy and the welfare of humanity. Therefore, realizing the need to conserve the biodiversity and challenges ahead, the year 2010 was dedicated to conserve the biodiversity and declared as International Year of Biodiversity; and the year 2011 was declared by the UNO as the International Year of Forests. In view of this, the Academy decided to organize several programmes under the leadership of Professor A.K. Sharma, a very distinguished Fellow and presently the President of the Academy. An eminent scientist, Prof. Sharma, with his understanding of the biodiversity in its traditional terms as well as at the molecular level has always guided and inspired the scientists and the students in the country in their various endeavors, especially in conserving the precious biodiversity. In the year 2010 the National Symposium on “Climate Change” was organized with Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, the Father of Green Revolution in India, as its Chief Guest. The major topics of this symposium were to give an emphasis on the adverse impact of the climate change on the planet earth in general, and the biodiversity, in particular. The recommendations of this symposium were sent to the concerned governmental agencies; and further, in consonance with the plan, the Academy decided to organize another National Symposium on “Sustainable Management of Biodiversity using Science & Technology” in 2011 with an aim to propagate the message and recommend steps for conserving the biodiversity for sustainable development.

The Programme : The programme of the symposium was planned under the guidance of Prof M G K Menon, with Prof. Manju Sharma, Former Secretary to the Govt. of India, Deptt. of Biotechnology, New Delhi, as the Convener of the symposium; and the hotspot of biodiversity- none other than Kerala state was selected to hold the symposium. The presentations by many eminent scientists covered: Several aspects of biodiversity in national and global perspective, looking at the plants, animals and other bioresources of the country, focusing on ecological services and the fragile ecosystems, critical scientific and technological inputs needed for sustainable development and utilization of biodiversity and capacity building including Government initiatives in this direction.

Inaugural Function: The Symposium and the 81^st Annual Session of the Academy were jointly inaugurated on November 24, 2011 in the University of Kerala, Trivandrum, by Hon’ble Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission, India, as the Chief Guest. Prof. A. Jayakrishnan,Vice Chancellor of the university welcomed the Chief Guest (Dr Kasturirangan); Guest of Honour (Prof Menon); President Prof A.K. Sharma; Past Presidents Prof V P Sharma, Prof Asis Datta, Prof V P Kamboj and Prof Manju Sharma; and Fellows/Members of the Academy; and other distinguished guests participants and including the media. Prof Menon emphasized that efforts should be made not only to conserve and preserve the biodiversity of this state, but also of other parts of our nation as this is the treasure house of future sustenance. Prof A K Sharma, while delivering his Presidential Address emphasized the role of the Academy in educating the masses for conserving the vast wealth of our biodiversity. He also categorically pointed out the efforts made by the Academy; and urged Prof Kasturirangan to look into the proposal of the Academy regarding some future projects in this direction. Prof Manju Sharma described the programme of the symposium and its significance. Prof Kasturirangan, praising the efforts of the Academy in bringing this issue on the fore front with its remarkable endeavour, appealed to all to join hands in the task of saving the planet earth.

Technical Sessions : After the inauguration, the technical sessions were held.

The following topics were covered :- Biodiversity : An Overview; Commemoration of committed endeavours; Impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity; Plant Resources of India: Potentials for Future Development; Exploitation of Microbial Diversity for Novel Products and Processes; Sustainable Management of Biodiversity in the Context of Climate Change: Issues, Challenges and Response; Aquatic Biodiversity Management; Bioresouces of India and Its Management, Orchid diversity: conservation and utilization, Functional diversity of plant metabolome and microbiome in health services to the human life; Recent Advances of Agricultural Biotechnology in the light of Climate Change; Conserving Ecosystems : Defining, Mapping and Conserving Sensitive Areas; Enhancing value of bioresources through appropriate use of Science and Technology; Ecological threats to fragile island ecosystem due to climate change - The Andaman Experience; Halophyte is a source of novel genes and microbes conferring salt adaptation and sustainability; Alien plant invasions in India: Need for an integrated research and policy framework for their management; Bioresources of Fragile Ecosystem/Desert; Satellite Remote Sensing and Geospatial Modeling for Biodiversity Assessment, Conservation and Monitoring; Diversity Disturbance Relationship in Dry Tropical Forests; Application of Bioindicators to Assess Changing patterns – A Case in the Himalaya; Microbe-assisted Phytoremediation for Restoration of Biodiversity of Degraded Lands - A Sustainable Solution; Impact Assessment on Aquatic Ecological Ecosystems in the Vicinity of Operating Nuclear Power Plant; Capacity Building in relation to Biodiversity, Conservation and Utilization, using Science and Technology; and Role of University, Science and Technology Education/Research in Capacity Building for Conservation and Utilization of Biodiversity.

Prof M S Swaminathan delivered a Special Lecture on Biodiversity, Sustainable Food Security and Green Economy, emphasizing that the duo of Biotech & Biodiversity alone can save the man on this planet earth, if utilized properly and sustainably.

The salient recommendations are given below:

RECOMMENDATIONS

Biodiversity is rapidly being eroded and it is critical to focus research to understand which species will survive human onslaught and which will not. We also need to predict the composition of new communities that arise after the loss or disturbance of native habitats.
Ecosystems and their constituent species provide an endless stream of ecosystem services that keep the world running and make human existence possible. Valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs would help integrate these services into public decision making and can ensure the continuity of ecosystems. Biodiversity banking can allow accumulation of ‘tradable biodiversity credits’ to derive monetary benefits by the stakeholders if they commit to enhance the biodiversity value of the land.
It is important to maintain contiguous forests and intact functioning ecosystems in order to sustain mutualistic interactions such as pollination and seed dispersal. For agricultural production, wild biodiversity needs to be preserved in the surrounding matrix to promote native pollinators.
Conservation of biota in fragmented landscapes is critical to the future success of biodiversity conservation; focus should be on protecting and increasing the habitat, improving habitat quality, increasing connectivity, managing disturbance processes in the wider landscape, planning for the long term, and learning from conservation actions undertaken.
Connecting isolated forest fragments/patches by reforesting them in areas rich in small-ranged species can be an effective and cheap way of preventing extinctions.
There is need for iterative identification of key biodiversity areas in the country which may include protected areas as well as those outside, and to draw management plans for the same keeping in view that persistence of biodiversity in the long run is equally essential. Conservation of locally rare plants warrants special attention. Areas with concentration of rare species should be protected from disturbance on priority basis. Mapping and quantitative assessment of geographic distribution and population status of rare, threatened and endangered plants is the first step in conservation of these species. It should be understood that recovery of many endangered species will require continual, active management of the habitat or continual efforts to control populations of alien species.
Considering the fact that when it comes to maintaining tropical biodiversity, there is no substitute for primary forests, there is a need to increase the forest area under protected area network. However, strategies should aim at managing protected areas as components of a larger landscape. Given that wildlife, ecological processes and human activities often spill across the boundaries of protected areas, conservation that is focused solely within the limits of protected areas is often faced with difficult challenges. The management of protected areas therefore cannot occur in isolation from the surrounding human- dominated landscapes.
There is no consistent, widely accepted scientific framework for tracking the status of our ecosystems and identifying those with a high probability of loss or degradation. There is a need to identify the unique and endangered ecosystems of India so that strategies can be developed to conserve and protect those.
It should be recognized that conservation is inherently a social process operating in a social context. As such, conservationists will benefit from a nuanced understanding of people’s perceptions and behaviors as individuals and in organizations and institutions. There is need to develop strategies to integrate cultural and biological diversity into conservation.
The value and importance of indigenous peoples' and local communities' customary sustainable use and traditional knowledge in conserving and upholding biodiversity, land- and seascapes, and protected areas should be acknowledged. Incentives may be needed to entice people to participate in conservation and recovery programs.
Implementation of community-based projects on biodiversity conservation provides opportunities to actively engage and involve local and indigenous people.
There is an urgent need to develop Biodiversity Profile of India so that we have adequate knowledge on existing species, ecosystem and genetic resources and threats to them in order to monitor and report on biodiversity (e.g., extinction rates, biodiversity loss). The main causes for a lack of knowledge on biodiversity loss include limited number of scientific experts, national indicators, research, finance and available technology and lack of biodiversity specific educational programmes.
The greatest challenge for landscape conservation planning is to move from maintaining current biodiversity towards restoring biodiversity that has already been lost.
Orchids are a very important group of plants which need development, conservation and utilization; an Institute for Orchid research and promotion may be established. Also an Orchid chair may be created in a University which has adequate expertise in this area to encourage research work on Orchids.
An estimated 40% of the global economy is based on biological products and processes. There is need to conserve crop genetic diversity as cultivated crops are inbred for uniform desirable traits and narrow genetic base can be disastrous.
Integration of indigenous and community knowledge systems and traditional way of conserving plant diversity be encouraged in forest areas.
More biosphere reserves, sanctuaries and germplasm banks need to be established.
Promoting education and awareness about plant diversity conservation and sustainable utilization and Biodiversity conservation at the local level to be encouraged.
Conserve plant genetic resources especially sensitive to climate change.
Preserve habitats to facilitate the long-term adaptation of biodiversity.
Studies to be launched to improve our understanding of climate change – biodiversity linkages.
Bio-fortification is required for combining production & nutrition/health policy.
Biotechnology should become an integral part of all aspects of germplasm acquisition, characterization, inventorization, conservation, exchange and genetic resource management.
Computer aided storage and retrieval systems of PGR to be developed for technology packages for conservation and ensuring exchange of information.
Preparation of databases on biodiversity and establishment of patenting cells in different organizations may be supported.
'IT revolution’, aimed at distance learning and electronic networking for plant conservation and sustainable utilization should be made use of. Specific projects should be launched on this aspect.
There is need to grow more pulses and oil crops – so that dependence on imports is minimized. Include coarse cereals including millets and other non-conventional foods in the food basket.
Research projects on designing crops for arid and semi-arid areas - “more crop per drop”, should be taken up.
Often it could be beneficial to explore using biodiversity as a model of conservation; because that which has a value gets automatically conserved. In other words, at least in some situations, we should move away from viewing utilization as a negative force in conservation. In fact it may be frequently beneficial to view utilization and conservation of biodiversity, as imperative two sides of the conservation coin.
There is need for developing baselines on selected interdisciplinary biodiversity issues based on empirical data sets of international standards so as to harness their potential applications for management, sustainable development and facilitating policy paradigms.
Development of genetically modified crops which are disease resistant and nutrient rich and transgenic crops which can thrive in poor soils, tolerate extreme conditions such as drought and heat and accumulate much needed minerals and vitamins should be supported.
The ever growing need is for more food crops to be nutritionally enhanced which are currently considered to be staple for the world’s poor. Production of biofortified rice, wheat, corn and other grains with increased protein, mineral and vitamin content is to be given priority in the biotechnology and agricultural research institutions.
Biotechnology is one feasible large scale solution for taking immediate action against climate change. It can create plants that are resistant to salt. Introducing a gene from salt tolerant mangroves into food crops create this resistance. Application of biotechnology to develop less water demanding plants to address the climate change should be encouraged.
To develop GHG Inventory Management System (GHG-IMS)

·       Black Carbon Research Initiative (National Carbonaceous Aerosols
     Programme) BCRI-NCAP

·     Long-term Ecological Research Observatory (LTERO) for climate change

·     Co-ordinated studies (CS) in the North-Eastern Region on Climate Change

     (NECC) (CS-NECC)

·      Climate Change Assessment Studies (CCAS)
In order to ensure sustainable management of biodiversity vis-a-vis climate change, adaptation is the key aspect in terms of chalking out a future strategy, wherein there was a need to:

·      Identify and conserve biodiversity components that are especially sensitive to

     climate change;

·    Preserve intact habitats so as to facilitate the long-term adaptation of

     biodiversity;

·    Improve our understanding of the climate change – biodiversity linkages, and

·    Fully integrate biodiversity considerations into climate change mitigation and

     adaptation plans.
India needs to undertake the following at various scales (global, regional, national and local) with increased intensity:

·          Promote sustainable management, conservation and enhancement of sinks

       and reservoir;

·     Take climate change consideration into account to minimizing adverse

       effects on the economy and on the quality of environment;

·      Promote and cooperate scientific research, education training and public

       awareness, exchange scientific information.
A framework to integrate Biodiversity concerns due to climate change was suggested, wherein an integration of approach across geographic hierarchies (local, national and regional/global) and individual strategies (across elements such as capacity building, knowledge/information, institutions/partnerships and policy/instruments) was proposed. It was emphasized that no single bullet would be able to solve the impending challenges, and what is required is a bouquet of responses, appropriately tailored to meet the specificities of the locale.
The Indian Thar Desert and the Aravallies are two ecologically sensitive/fragile systems. A large number of plant species are either threatened and deserve protection and conservation. Endemic and rare plant species with great potential for future prospecting are disappearing. There is need for establishment of Bioresources Center for Desert Areas.
A comprehensive inventory of alien species (including all taxa) growing in different biogeographical provinces of India is need of the hour in view of increase in anthropogenic activities that promote introduction, establishment and spread of alien species. To achieve this goal, an All India Coordinated Project for preparing an inventory of Alien Species needs to be formulated and launched. It is also imperative in view of recognition of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) as the Target 9 of the 20 Targets of the Strategic Plan on Biodiversity (2011-2020).
Identification of priority invasive species on the basis of objective criteria followed by their mapping using GIS and Remote Sensing tools, their impact assessment and identification of habitats/areas likely to be invaded by such invasive species in near future employing niche modelling approach needs to be undertaken.
Major introduction pathways and vectors of alien species need to be detected and plugged in order to prevent further introduction of alien species that are likely to become invasive over a period of time.
An institutional, legal and specific national policy to deal with invasive alien species in India needs to be evolved based on ‘4C’ approach of prediction, prevention (rapid response), prescription (control) and public awareness and put in place to manage the menace of biological invasions.
A National Alien Invasive Species Information Network with regional nodes interconnected through a web-based network is an immediate priority for quicker and easier dissemination of information about invasive species necessary for prevention and rapid response measures.

CAPACITY BUILDING
Sustainable management of bio-diversity in future would need a large number of skilled manpower to handle the complex socio-economic issues, apart from the scientific and technological aspects of creating the ever changing data base on bio-diversity. Involvement of the University system, along with the existing Governmental and Specialized laboratories, to be ensured.
Many more Universities need to be sensitized to start interdisciplinary and subject-specific courses on bio-diversity related issue. The involvement of the Universities may be: (a) to modernize and upgrade the level of currently existing expertise at the low/intermediate cadre. (b) to create a new band of skilled young man power (c) to provide consultative services (d) to take up innovative and futuristic research (e) to undertake open minded assessment of future problems and to spread social awareness thereon.
Governmental agencies, may proactively seek and encourage University scientists to address the problems of bio-diversity and grant liberal funding to them for novel and open ended research projects.
Biodiversity related research around taxonomy and biosystematics related matters should be encouraged – scientists should look for Physiological discoveries in terms of phenomena and biodiversity surveys should go side by side with bioprospecting leading to discoveries of new natural resources/products as well as bioindicators of ecological phenomena.
To complement the work of ZSI/BSI and ASI, Universities and Colleges should be funded to strengthen integrated Departments of Biology/Schools of Life Sciences with specialization in biodiversity related research/teaching.
A National Advisory Board on Biodiversity conservation should be established for capacity building and creating awareness of biodiversity at grass root level.