Date:15/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011554000500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Biodiversity information system to be created soon

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The National Biodiversity Authority will soon create an Indian Biodiversity Information System, NBA Chairman S. Kannaiyan said on Monday.

Talking to reporters here, Mr. Kannaiyan said the Authority would bring together the existing databases to form a ‘meta-database.’ The Indian Biodiversity Information System would have all the information about India’s biodiversity and bio-resources and their traditional knowledge, including the people’s biodiversity register. A village-level biodiversity management committee, to be formed all over the country, would prepare the people’s biodiversity register, in consultation with the locals.

The register would contain comprehensive information on the availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medicinal or any other use and traditional knowledge associated with them, he said.

The Authority and the State Biodiversity Boards would provide guidance and technical support to the committee for preparing the register.

It sought an allocation of Rs. 50 crore in the 11th Plan for creating the Indian Biodiversity Information System and the people’s biodiversity register and a model biodiversity park, and for conducting awareness programmes for the State Biodiversity Boards.