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Chapter 2Policy, Legislation and Regulationenvisages a three-tier structure comprising of a National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), StateBiodiversity Boards (SBB) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at the local level.The major role of BMCs is the documentation of the biodiversity in the local area with theparticipation of local people and preparation of People‟s Biodiversity Register (PBR). Eventhough it is difficult to formulate a rigid methodology for collecting information for PBR, itmay involve a series of components/steps such as: (i) creating awareness to local communitiesabout the importance of BDA and PBR to ensure the involvement of the local people; (ii)setting up BMCs; (iii) delineation of user groups and identification of knowledgeable individualssuch as local healers (vaidyas), fishermen, farmers, etc.; (iv) constitution of a broad basedstudy team involving teachers, students, and local community members; (v) obtaining consent(prior informed consent) from the local people for sharing information; (vi) individual as wellas group discussions members representing different user groups as well as local people andvillage assembly; (vii) participatory mapping of the landscape of the study area; (viii)preparing an inventory of locally known life forms; (ix) documentation of local geographic,social and economic setting; (x) identification of focal issues related to biodiversity in thestudy area; (xi) documentation of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity, ecosystems,agriculture, medicines, etc.; (xii) validation of data; (xiii) preparation of a database (PBR);(xiv) documentation of current and desired patterns of management of habitats and focalspecies; and (xv) preparation of a biodiversity management planThe PBRs, if properly planned and prepared, would become authentic natural resource database of every local body, as it envisages listing and mapping of all the ecosystems andbiodiversity. Further, PBR also envisages preparation of action plans for the management ofbiodiversity and ecosystems at the grass root level, with the involvement of stakeholders atthe grass roots. The citizen-scientist partnerships play an important role not only indocumenting and validating data collected on biodiversity, but also in utilizing thebioresources sustainably. PBRs could be used as a tool for promoting this, as the data in PBRswill be validated by technical support groups. These citizen-scientist partnerships share twocharacteristics that make them central to developing biodiversity infrastructure. They providedata on spatial and temporal scales that are impossible to document using other methods.Second, they involve the public and students in local efforts that build communityunderstanding and support for biodiversity issues. Further, this will also helpcommercialisation of products out of the TK of communities and sharing of benefits.
Environmental Assessment ReportKerala Local Government Strengthening ProjectSection 37 of the Act provides for designating heritage sites. The purpose is not to cover thealready designated protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries but to coverThe Kerala Biological Diversity Rules was enacted by the Government of Kerala in 2008. Atstate level, various approach papers and model bio-diversity registers have already beenprepared. The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) is in the processes of setting up BMCsat all the local bodies in Kerala. The BMCs, as and environmental knowledge group at theLSG level will strengthen the operationalization of the proposed ESMFsites rich in biodiversity, wild relatives of crops, or areas, which lie outside protected areanetwork. The State government has to designate such areas in consultation with the LSGs, andto frame rules for conservation and management of such heritage sites. This would facilitatemanagement of biodiversity hotspots in the state, which now remains outside the protectedarea network.2.2.2.13. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005NREGA guarantees at least hundred days of wage employment in every financial year to everyhousehold whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Its auxiliary objectivesare to(i) regenerate natural resource base of rural livelihoods(ii) strengthen grass root process of democracy and(iii) infuse transparency and accountability in local governance.The distinguishing features of the Act are(i) focus on rights based frame – work(ii) demand- based approach(iii) focus on accountability, transparency and social audit.It makes Government legally accountable for providing wage employment for those who seekit. The choice of works suggested in the Act has predominant focus on natural resourcemanagement and therefore addresses causes of chronic poverty.Central Government shall meet the cost towards the payment of wage, 3/4 of material costand certain percentage of administrative cost. State Government shall meet the cost towardsunemployed allowance, 1/4 of material cost and administrative cost of State council. Adultmembers of rural households submit their name, age and address with photo to the GramPanchayat. The Gram panchayat registers households after making enquiry and issues a jobcard. The job card contains the details of adult member enrolled and his /her photo.Registered person can submit an application for work in writing (for at least fourteen days ofcontinuous work) either to panchayat or to Programme Officer. The panchayat/programmeofficer will accept the valid application and issue dated receipt of application, letter providingwork will be sent to the applicant and also displayed at panchayat office. The employment willbe provided within a radius of 5 km: if it is above 5 km, extra wage will be paid. Ifemployment under the scheme is not provided within fifteen days of receipt of theapplication, daily unemployment allowance will be paid to the applicant.44
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