Tag: biodiversity

West Bengal Biodiversity Board: Ensuring preservation of the State’s flora

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The West Bengal Biodiversity Board (WBBB) has three primary objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biodiversity, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the biodiversity, in addition to establishment of proprietary rights and restraining bio-piracy.

Some of the major achievements of WBBB are as follows:

  • Facilitating constitution of 350 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at block, municipality and municipal corporation levels; more are in the offing
  • Through the BMCs, constitution of 120 People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR) for documentation of biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge and practices; more are being constituted
  • Documentation of traditional rice varieties (TRV) and registering them in the names of farmers’ communities; so far, 110 TRVs have been documented, of which 12 have been registered 51 have been applied for
  • Awareness generation programmes, including seminars, nature studies and field training, and special ‘bio tours’ for school students
  • Bringing commercial establishments accessing bio-resources from the State under the purview of ‘Access and Benefit Sharing’ of the Biological Diversity Act; so far, 100 commercial establishments brought under purview, and 15 of the shared benefits, amounting to Rs 13,39,193, accumulated in the Biodiversity Fund of the State Government
  • Publications: 10 field guide books in Bengali, Tradable Bioresources of West Bengal, three People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR) preparation manuals in BengaliSource: Departmental Budget

WB Govt celebrates Wildlife Day

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Like every year, West Bengal Government is celebrating Wildlife Day on December 8 throughout the State.

Forests and wildlife are the assets of Bengal. Conservation of this spectacular bio-diversity is our responsibility.

West Bengal Government has been committed to protection of wildlife and conservation of forests over the last four years.

 

Here are the achievements of the Forest Department:

Conservation of biodiversity: With the co-operation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a project of Rs 406 crore has been taken up to conserve forests and wildlife.

Eco-tourism: With the help of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd., 17 eco-tourism projects in North Bengal and three in South Bengal have been taken up. Cottages are being constructed. The Lamahata project has already started.

West Bengal Wasteland Development Corporation Ltd: The West Bengal Wasteland Development Corporation Ltd. (WBWDCL)has been made functional. Under the aegis of WBWDCL, tree plantation has been carried out over 1260 acres.

Wildlife census: Census of wild animals have been performed, including those of rhinoceros, gaur (both in Gorumara National Park), Red Panda (Singalila National Park) and crocodile (in Sunderbans National Park).

Coastal Zone Management Project: A Coastal Zone Management Project has been started in Purba Medinipur district with the assistance of the World Bank.

West Bengal Zoo Authority: West Bengal Zoo Authority has become operational and 10 small zoos have been brought under its purview. A master plan is being prepared for all the small zoos in the state. Special steps have been taken to conserve endangered species.

Selling kendu leaves: Many people in the state are engaged in the plucking and selling ofkendu leaves. With a view to help such people with their livelihoods, the state government has increased the price at which they can sell the leaves from Rs 48 per chatta (contains 2000 leaves) to Rs 75 per chatta.