Need for sharing of bio-resources stressed for conservation of bio-diversity

Mangalore, Nov 28: “The science and management of bio-diversity is not simple with individual solutions but a complex web of issues, and we need more lawyers, anthropologists, sociologists, economists and biologists to make right policies and decisions,” said Dr K S Sugara, Assistant Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Karnataka Forest Department.

Delivering the keynote address at a trainers' training programme on'Mainstreaming conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants diversity in Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand' in the city on Thursday, he said that the science of bio-diversity conservation had undergone changes from conservation-centred to community-centred, from logic-based to legal-based and from policy-based to practice-based.

After the Bio-diversity Act and Rules were enacted in India, thousands of Bio-diversity Management Committees (BMCs) were constituted across the country a decade ago. However, the issues of equity and justice are yet to be the focus of bio-diversity governance. This is only possible by mainstreaming conservation of bio-diversity in the developmental programmes at panchayat level, he said, raising a concern over the need to amend the Panchayat Raj Act to make bio-diversity conservation mandatory in developmental programmes.

Speaking on bio-diversity valuation and economy of the country, he said that rural poverty was ecological since the poor depended on nature for survival. “About 70 percent earnings of the poor comes from ecological sources and this is 80 percent in forested areas. Hence, ecological impoverishment should be one of the poverty indicators. Is bio-diversity an issue in the electoral agenda of panchayat? Unless this becomes an agenda in the election system, biodiversity conservation and its valuation will not get justice,” he said, stressing the need for vigorous capacity building programmes at gram panchayat level on bio-diversity issues.

He said that the trainers and members of BMCs should identify bio-resources that have potential and make efforts to enforce access and benefit sharing of bio-resources. Each bio-diversity issue requires an innovative and integrated approach and only knowledge and wisdom will help in sound decisions. The soul and heart of access and benefit sharing is conservation of bio-diversity and its sustainable use, he said.

A total of 31 BMC representatives and NGO members from Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand will be given training on developing linkages on conservation with livelihood actions at panchayat level, learning from case studies and studying the conservation of bio-diversity in the Western Ghats region.

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Lokayukta team arrives at disputed plot; CM likely to get ED summons

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru, Oct 1: The Karnataka Lokayukta team on Tuesday arrived at the disputed plot in Mysuru and began investigation into the MUDA case against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife, news agency ANI reported. Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the case was also present with the team.

Sources stated that ED sleuths might issue a notice to CM Siddaramaiah at any time and issue summons to him for questioning. The sleuths are also keenly watching the movements of CM Siddaramaiah’s close associates and relatives, including a cabinet minister in connection with the MUDA scam.

Sources further said that there is a possibility of the ED conducting raids across the state on offices and residences of close associates of CM Siddaramaiah. The ED has also gathered information on bank accounts and financial transactions of CM Siddaramaiah and his associates.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by the police, against CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi B.M. by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The ED registered the case taking cognisance of the FIR registered against the Chief Minister by the Lokayukta police on September 27.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Lokayukta probing the MUDA case has also expedited the probe. The sleuths led by Mysuru Lokayukta SP T.J. Udesh have visited the controversial land on the outskirts of Mysuru city. The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, also accompanied the team.

The move of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife to return 14 sites allotted by the MUDA to her has triggered a debate. BJP MLA from Mysuru T.S. Srivatsa stated on Tuesday that the move of CM’s wife is not acceptable. "The two commissioners who colluded in the MUDA scam are roaming freely even today," he said.

"CM Siddaramaiah first claimed that there was no scam at all. Later, he formed a commission and now there is an FIR against him. After committing the mistake, you offer to return the sale deed. The time is up. He will have to tender his resignation and I am sure he won’t be in the position until Dasara festivities," MLA T.S. Srivatsa stated.

T.J. Abraham, one of the petitioners in the MUDA case said, “I had demanded the MUDA commissioner to take back the allotted sites. He had written back saying the process would be initiated. They were waiting for the investigation report."

"CM Siddaramaiah has not approached the division bench or the Supreme Court to challenge the order against him because there is nothing to be challenged. Returning sites is not a big sacrifice. The Chief Minister has lost it," Abraham stated.

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