Kerala unveils biodiversity action plan

The Kerala government has unveiled a new Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

Following this, any project planned and executed by government departments, public and private sectors, multinational corporations, local self-government and non-governmental organisations in the state would now have to adhere to a Biodiversity Code of Conduct.

The plan, which was unveiled by chief minister V S Achuthanandan here, speaks of a clear-cut vision to protect the biological resources of the state.

With a focus on strategies for action, the policy report put together by the State Biodiversity Board also calls for identification and conservation of biodiversity rich areas outside the protected areas and in the low-lying riparian forests.

The document also calls for biodiversity-based sustainable development programmes in each local body for the benefit of the local people and also the conservation of biodiversity rich sacred groves and wetlands in each panchayat.

Besides, the policy document has urged the need for a water revolution through the implementation of a State Wetland Conservation and Wise Use Act. This would facilitate taking stock of the wetland resources, allocation of water for different stakeholders, conservation and sustainable use of wetland biodiversity.

It has also urged the need for preparing a People's Biodiversity Register, which would mean a massive people's movement across the state, recording all the living organisms and gathering information regarding their traditional use and establishing the right on such knowledge.

Restoration of the native biodiversity by initiating efforts for their revival and also promoting organic farming of traditional crop varieties are the other significant aspects incorporated in the policy document.