Ministry to launch bio-diversity action plan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 10. The Union Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is all set to launch a detailed Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) here tomorrow. The Union Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr.T.R.Baalu, is expected to announce the plan, which had been made possible following funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The BSAP project envisages assessment and stock taking of bio- diversity information at State level including distribution of endemic and endangered species and site-specific threats and pressures.A national policy and macrolevel action strategy on bio-diversity was earlier prepared by the ministry taking into account all policies, gaps and further action needed for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. However, a need was felt to prepare a detailed microlevel action plans at State and regional levels, according to an official spokesman.Keeping the existing policy as a base document, the new project emphasises on de-centralised State-level planning besides intensive use of inter-disciplinary working groups to involve all sectors working for conservation. Once the microlevel action plans are executed successfully, the ministry plans to integrate them all into a consolidated national action plan.The BSAP will be initially launched for a period of two years at a total cost of 9,68,200 $ , which will be incurred by the GEF.

The MoEF is the executing agency for the project and wants them to be implemented not only by utilisation of available infrastructure and funds but also with augmentation and further inputs from domestic and external resources. For implementation of the BSAP project, a consortium arrangement between Biotech Consortium India Ltd and Kalpavriksh, an NGO, has been worked out. To oversee the implementation of the project, a steering committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Special Secretary, Mr.Vinod Vaish, in the MoEF.

The Joint Secretary (Environment), Mr.R.H.Khwaja, is the Member Secretary. The committee also consists of representatives from Ministeries of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Economic Affairs, Planning Commission and the UNDP. The committee also has five expert members.

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