Annual-Report-2013-14

IODIVE B RS A IT K Annual ReportY Year 2013-2014 A T B

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D A K 2013-14 ªÁ¶ðPÀ ªÀgÀ¢ Annual Report 2013-14

GOVERNMENT OF KARANATAKA

KARNATAKA BIODIVERSITY BOARD (Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment)

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Constitution of New Board

3. Appointment of New Chairman

4. Staff and Vacancies at the Board

5. Meetings of Technical Experts

6. Biodiversity Management Committees

7. Biodiversity Awareness Training Program

8. Peoples Biodiversity Registers

9. Access and Benefit sharing of bio-resources

10. Legal Activities

11. Publications

12. Budget and Expenditure

13. Highlights of important Research Projects

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

1. Introduction

The Government of India passed the Biological Diversity Act 2002 No. 18 of 2003, on 5th February, 2003 The Act provides for conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources, knowledge and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

As per the Act each State is supposed to establish State Biodiversity Board under section 22 of the Act. Accordingly the Govt. of Karnataka has established the Board Vide G.O.No. FEE 125 ENV 2003 dated: 19-06-2003 and it started functioning from 1st August 2003.

The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable. The composition of the Board is as follows:

a. A Chairperson who shall be an eminent person having adequate knowledge and experience in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and in matters relating to equitable sharing of benefits, to be appointed by the State Government; b. Not more than five ex officio members to be appointed by the State Government to represent the concerned Departments of the State Government; c. Not more than five members to be appointed from amongst experts in matters relating to conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of biological resources and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.

Functions of the board includes, to advise the State Government, subject to any guidelines issued by the Central Government, on matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources;

a. Regulate by granting of approvals or otherwise requests for commercial utilization or bio- survey and bio-utilization of any biological resource by Indians; b. Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 or as may be prescribed by the State Government.

2. Constitution of New Board Last Board was constituted on 24/12/2009. As per Karnataka Biological Rules 4(1) and 6 (1) the term of the Chairman and Members of the Board was for 3 years which completed on 24/12/2012. In this regard a proposal for constituting the Board was submitted to Secretary (Ecology and Environment) Dept. of FEE, Govt. of Karnataka on 8th November 2012.

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

As per Gazette notification dt 23/12/2013 and Govt. order No. FEE 135 ENV 2012 Bangalore dated 23/12/2013; a new Board has been constituted. The Government of Karnataka has appointed following 10 members to the Board.

1 Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Ex-officio Member Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment M.S. Buildings, Bangalore 2 Principal Secretary to Govt. Ex-officio Member Agriculture and Horticulture Department, M.S. Buildings, Bangalore 3 Secretary to Government Ex-officio Member (Ecology and Environment) Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment M.S. Building, Bangalore 4 Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (HOFF) Ex-officio Member Aranya Bhawan , Malleshwaram, Bangalore- 560 003 5 Director, Ex-officio Member Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy, Dhanvanthri Road, Anand Rao Circle, Bangalore –560 009 6 Dr. H. Shivanand Murthy, Non-officio Member Professor and Head, College of Fisheries, Karnataka Veterinary and University of Fisheries Science Mangalore - 575002. 7 Dr. M.Sanjappa, Non-officio Member No. 504, Block C-7, Kendriya Vihar, Yalahank, Bangalore – 560 064 8 Dr. M.H.Swaminath, IFS (Retd) Non-officio Member No. 19 ‘A’ 1st ‘B’ Main Road, 6th Sector, H.S.R. Layout, M.C.H.S. Colony, Bangalore-560034 9 Prof. Ganeshaiah, Non-officio Member Prof. and Head, Conservation of Forest and Ecology Division, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-65 10 Dr. M.D.Subash Chandran Non-officio Member Environment Science Centre (IISC) Kshetriya Gataka, Viveknagar, Kumuta – 581343 11 Member Secretary, Non-officio Member Karnataka Biodiversity Board, Ground Floor, Malleshwaram, Bangalore

3. Appointment of Chairman to Karnataka Biodiversity Board

Government of Karnataka Vide order No: FEE 135 ENV 2012, dated 24/01/2014 has appointed Shri. R.M.N Sahai, IFS (Rtd.) as the Chairman of Karnataka Biodiversity Board. He has taken charge on 25/01/2014.

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4. Staff and vacancies at the board

As per Government order No.FEE 125 ENV 2003, Bangalore dated 19/06/2003, 13/01/2009 & 23/5/2009) the following posts are sanctioned:

Sl No Sanctioned Posts No. of Position Posts 1 Member Secretary 1 Filled 2 Deputy Conservator of Forests 1 Filled 3 Executive Officer / Deputy Director (Agri) 1 Filled 4 Executive Officer / Deputy Director (ISM&H) 1 Vacant 5 Reader/Associated Prof. (Botany) 1 Filled 6 Reader/Associated Prof. (Zoology) 1 Filled 7 Assistant Conservator of Forests & 1 Vacant Administrative Officer

Supporting Staff

Sl Sanctioned Posts No. of Posts Position No Filled 1 Accounts Supervisor 1 1 2 Executive Assistant 4 4 3 SDA / Data Entry Operator 2 2 4 Dalayath 3 3

Since the staffs are to be posted on deputation from various departments, requests have been made to depute suitable officers from Forest Department, Agriculture Department and Ayush Department.

National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai also supports the State Biodiversity Board to fund for Technical Manpower. National Biodiversity Authority released Rs. 9.72 lakhs for inducting Technical Staff in the Board. Accordingly, five Post Graduate students of various life science departments have been selected by the Board on consolidated emoluments varying from Rs.14,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- depending on their skill and experience.

The details of the technical staff taken on contract with the financial support of National Biodiversity Authority are as follows.

Sl Position Qualification No 1. Research Associate (Forestry) M.Sc (Agri in Envt. Sciences) 2 Technical Executive (Marine) M.Sc (Marine Biology) 3 Technical Executive (Zoology) M.Sc (Zoology) 4 Technical Executive (Micro M.Sc (Micro Biology) Biology) 5 Technical Executive (Applied M.Sc (Applied Botany) Botany)

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i. Appointment of Nodal Officers:

As per the Government order No.FEE 17 ENV 2009 Bangalore dt 3/2/2009 the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry) in Karnataka of all districts, in addition to their present duties shall act as the nodal Officers and link between the State Biodiversity Board and BMCs at various levels.

ii. Appointment of Authorized Officers:

As per the MoEF notification No. S.O. 120(E) dt 7/1/2009 the Forest officers not below the rank of Range officers in their respective jurisdiction are authorized to file complaints under Section 61 (a) of the Biological Diversity Act 2002.

5. Meetings of Technical Experts: Sl . Subject of the Meeting Meeting No date 1 Issues pertaining to Netrani Island 25/3/2013 2 Expert Committee meeting pertaining developing a web based atlas 26/3/2013 depicting the spatial patterns of the biodiversity of Karnataka 3 Biodiversity Studies and related issues 22/4/2013 4 Expert committee meeting for the discussion pertaining to biodiversity 4/5/2013 preservation 5 Discussion on Ecological carrying capacity of Uttara Kannada District 14/5/2013 6 Meeting with representatives of NGOs to review progress of 24/5/2013 biodiversity related activities 7 Meeting to review Peoples Biodiversity Registers 03/06/2013 8 Meeting to review Peoples Biodiversity Registers 26/6/2013 9 Expert Committee meeting pertaining developing a web based atlas 29/6/2013 depicting the spatial patterns of the biodiversity of Karnataka 10 Discussion on designing of training module for conducting awareness 19/7/2013 trainings in different districts of Karnataka 11 Meeting on Nallur Tamarind Grove of Devanahalli Talluk. Bangalore 20/8/2013 Rural district. 12 Discussion on the details of procedures for preparation of Peoples 27/8/2013 Biodiversity Registers 13 Orientation programme for NGOs 17/9/2013 14 Meeting on the review of the progress of the project “Establishment of 15/10/2013 Herbarium and a botanical museum of the plants of western ghats at Picikula Nisarga Dham” 15 Meeting on review of Western Ghats studies 28/10/2013 16 Expert Committee meeting pertaining developing a web based atlas 28/10/2013 depicting the spatial patterns of the biodiversity of Karnataka 17 Meeting on review of Western Ghats studies 12/11/2013 18 Discussion on compliance of Biodiversity Act, 2002 by pharmaceutical 16/11/2013 companies 19 Meeting on brainstorming session for various issues 22/11/2013

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20 Expert Committee meeting pertaining developing a web based atlas depicting 4/12/2013 the spatial patterns of the biodiversity of Karnataka 21 Meeting on Compilation of basic data on flora and fauna of Karnataka 19/12/2013 22 Meeting on Nomination of Expert committee on BT cotton 07/01/2013 23 Meeting on Karnataka Biodiversity Board vision Document for next Ten 01/01/1014 years 24 Meeting on preparation of estuarine conservation project of Karnataka 22/1/2014 25 Meeting on Finalizing the list of endangered species in Karnataka 27/1/2014 26 Meeting in discuss the issue related to management plant of Nallur tamarind 11/02/2014 grove, Nallur village of Devanahalli. Bangalore Rural 27 Meeting on wetland Biodiversity 01/03/2014 28 Meeting on PBR Progress Review Meeting with Co-ordinators and co- 05/03/2014 coordinators 29 Meeting on compilation of basic data on flora and fauna of Karnataka 14/3/2014 30 Expert Committee meeting pertaining developing a web based atlas depicting 25/3/2014 the spatial patterns of the biodiversity of Karnataka 31 Meeting on floristic diversity, ecological uniqueness and conservation 28/3/2014 strategies 32 Workshop on Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Challenges before 04/03/2014 Biodiversity of the state 33 Review of the project entitled “Establishment of the dry zone biodiversity 28/03/2014 parks network in Karnataka”

6. Biodiversity Management Committees

The statement of Constitution of Biodiversity Management Committees at Zilla panchayath, Taluka panchyath and Grama panchayath level. To be Total To be Total To be Total Sl. District formed at formed at formed at formed at formed at formed at No GP level GP level TP level TP level ZP level ZP level 1 Bagalkote 163 163 6 6 1 1 2 Bangalore (R) 98 89 4 3 1 - 3 Bangalore (U) 86 67 4 3 1 1 4 Belgaum 485 183 10 2 1 - 5 Bellary 189 72 7 3 1 - 6 Bidar 175 173 5 5 1 - 7 Bijapur 199 198 5 5 1 1 8 Chamrajnagar 120 87 4 - 1 - 9 Chickmagalore 226 223 7 2 1 - 10 Chickballapur 151 145 6 3 1 - 11 Chitradurga 185 154 6 6 1 1 12 D.Kannada 203 192 5 3 1 1 13 Davanagere 230 226 6 6 1 1 14 Dharwad 127 100 5 3 1 - 15 Gadag 106 53 5 2 1 1 16 Gulbarga 220 169 7 - 1 - 17 Hassan 258 253 8 2 1 1

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18 Haveri 206 191 7 2 1 1 19 Kodagu 98 97 3 - 1 - 20 Kolar 156 148 5 1 1 - 21 Koppal 134 42 4 3 1 - 22 Mandya 232 217 7 7 1 1 23 Mysore 235 227 7 5 1 - 24 Raichur 164 25 5 1 1 - 25 Ramanagar 130 115 4 3 1 1 26 Shimoga 260 240 7 6 1 - 27 Tumkur 321 181 10 10 1 1 28 Udupi 146 89 3 1 1 - 29 U. Kannada 207 196 11 3 1 1 30 Yadgir 117 78 3 - 1 - Total 5627 4393 176 96 30 13

During 2013-14 Biodiversity Management Committees are formed at GP, TP and ZP levels

GP level TP level ZP level 118* 10 * -

Note: ** The total figures are added in the above statement.

Biodiversity Management Committees formed Year-wise at GP level

Sl No Year Ach 1 2003-2004 - 2 2004-2005 18 3 2005-2006 150 4 2006-2007 160 5 2007-2008 490 6 2008-2009 1000 7 2009-2010 1452 8 2010-2011 272 9 2011-2012 222 10 2012-2013 511 11 2013-2014 118 Total 4393

BMCs formed at Taluka Panchayath Level…..96 BMCs formed at Zilla Panchayath Level……13

7. Biodiversity Awareness Training Programme The Karnataka Biodiversity Board has taken up the training programme on creation of Awareness in respect of Biodiversity and its related issues including Traditional Knowledge Biodiversity documentation and Management Plan.

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

i) The Training module covers the following: 1. Components of Biodiversity and its types. 2. Status of Biodiversity 3. Stakeholders in Biodiversity 4. CBD and Biodiversity Act and Rules 5. Functions of National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and other departments in conservation of Biodiversity. 6. Biodiversity Hotspots and declaration of Biodiversity Heritage Sites. 7. Community Traditional knowledge related to crop, Animals and health care of humans and livestock. 8. Causes for the loss of Biodiversity. 9. Link between wild and domesticated Biodiversity. 10. Access of bio resources, sustainable use of their components and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of use of bio resources. 11. Awareness on conservation of Biodiversity. 12. Biodiversity Management committees and People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs). ii) Number of Training Programmes conducted Year-wise:

Sl No Year No. of Programmes conducted 1 2003-2004 KBB Established 2 2004-2005 15 3 2005-2006 10 4 2006-2007 15 5 2007-2008 29 6 2008-2009 15 7 2009-2010 53 8 2010-2011 53 9 2011-2012 17 10 2012-2013 41 11 2013-2014 35 Total 283

iii) Awareness Training Programmes conducted during 2013-2014

Sl Name of the Agency Name of the Name of the Institute / Date on No. District where programme is which conducted conducted 1 Dr. V.N.Nayak, Secretary, Uttara International Biodiversity 22/05/2013 Uttara Kannada Jilla Kannada Day – 2013 at Uttara Vijnana Kendra, Kodibag, Kannada Jilla Vijnana Karwar Kendra, Kodibag, Karwar

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2 IRD, Bijapur Bijapur Taluk Panchayath Sabha 04/06/2013 Bhawan, Bijapur taluk 3 Nisaraapeksha, South Mangalore Mangalore,Taluk 06/06/2013 Canara Panchayath Hall 4 Shree Sapthagiri Rural Bangalore Devenahalli Taluk 6/6/2013 Development Society Rural Panchyat Bavana SSRDS, Bangalore 5 Shree Sapthagiri Rural Chikkaballapur Shidlagatta Taluk 7/6/2013 Development Society Panchyat Bavana SSRDS, Bangalore 6 Shrama Sakrepatna, Hassan Arkalgudu Taluk 7/6/2013 Chickmagalore Panchyati 7 Shree Sapthagiri Rural Chikkaballapur Gowribidanur Taluk 10/6/2013 Development Society Panchyat Bavana SSRDS, Bangalore 8 Shrama Sakrepatna, Hassan Arsikere Taluk Panchyati 10/6/2013 Chickmagalore 9 Sanduru Parisara, Bellary Bellary Taluka Panchayath, 18/6/2013 Kudligi 10 Sadhana Swayam Seva Koppal Kustagi taluka 21/6/2013 Samsthe, Sindanur, Panchayath Koppal 11 Accrued, Hassan Hassan Taluk Panchyath, Hassan 8/7/2013 12 Sandur, Bellary Bellary Taluk Panchayath, 8/7/2013 Siraguppa 13 IRD, Bijapur Bijapur Taluka Panchayath, 16/7/2013 Basavana Bagewadi 14 Wildlife Expedition Bangalore (U) Bangalore North Taluk 25/7/2013 Panchyath 15 Kayakavikasa Vedike, Bidar Basavakalyana Taluk 29/7/2013 Bidar Pancyath 16 Nisaraapeksha, South Udupi Kundapur Taluk 8/8/2013 Canara Panchayath 17 Sandur, Bellary Bellary Taluk Panchayath, 16/8/2013 Huvina Hadagali 18 Grams, Raichur Raichur Taluk Panchyath, Manvi, 4/9/2013 Raichur 19 Saptagiri Rural Bangalore Nelamangala Taluk 11/9/2013 development, Banglaore Panchayath Bangalore Bangalore Rural Zilla 12/9/2013 Panchyath 20 Nisarga Peksha, South Mangalore Puttur Taluk Panchyath 24/9/2013 Canara 21 Grams, Raichur Raichur Raichur Taluk Panchyath 30/9/2013 22 Nisargaapeksha, North Somwarpet Taluk Panchayath, 5/10/2013 Canara Somwarpet

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23 Karnataka Biodiversity Bangalore Maharani Lakshmi 25/11/2013 Board Ammanni College, conducted Envrionment Protection Day 24 BTVP, Kayak Vikas Bidar Bidar taluk panchayath, 12/2/2014 Vedike, Bidar Bidar 25 Karnataka Rural Service Uttara kannada Yallapur taluk 14/2/2014 Society, Dharwad District Panchayath 26 IRD, Bijapur Bijapur Indi taluk Panchayath 17/2/2014 27 Sri. Saptagiri Bangalore Bangalore South Taluk 18/2/2014 Grameenabruddi Panchayath Samsthe,Bangalore 28 Nisargapeksha Dakshina Belthangadi taluka 18/2/2014 Kannada panchyath, DK District 29 ACCRUED Trust, Hassan Hassan Alur Taluk Panchayath, 20/02/2014 Hassan 30 VIKASANA organisation, Chickmagalore Mudigere taluk 25/2/2014 Chickmagalore panchayath 31 Chickmagalore Chickamagalore taluk 26/2/2014 panchayath 32 Sadhana Samsthe, Raichur Surpur Surpur Taluk panchyath 26/2/2014

33 TERI, Bangalore Mysore K.R.Nagar, taluk 03/03/2014 Pamchyath 34 ACCRUED Trust, Hassan Hassan Belur Taluk Panchayath, 03/03/2014 35 TERI, Bangalore Kolar Mulbagil Taluk 05/03/3014 Panchayath

8. Peoples Biodiversity Registers: As per Biological Diversity Act Biodiversity Management Registers are to be prepared. The Register shall contain comprehensive information on availability, knowledge of local biological resources, their medicinal or any other use and traditional knowledge associated with them. Total 30 PBRs has been prepared during 2013-14. It is expected that these will serve as master copies, since they are prepared with the help of meticulous efforts by professors and students in biosciences. These PBRs are representative of the Agro-Climatic Zone of a particular district under study. The objective was to develop master checklist from which the adjacent GPs are not expected to differ within the same agro-climatic zone. Considering this as a master copy reviewed by technical staff at the KBB and external experts, further PBR preparation of other Gram panchayats has been planned in the fore coming year 2014-15.

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

i) Number of PBRs year wise:

Sl. No Year PBRs prepared 1 2003-2004 Board Established 2 2004-2005 0 3 2005-2006 0 4 2006-2007 0 5 2007-2008 0 6 2008-2009 38 7 2009-2010 82 8 2010-2011 92 9 2011-2012 25 10 2012-2013 30 11 2013-2014 30 Total 297

ii) Details of PBRs completed during 2013 -14

Sl Name of the NGO District Taluk Grama No Panchayath 1. Kiran Rural Raichur Lingasuru Rodalabanda 2 Kiran Rural Gulbarga Chittalpura Nalwara 3 Kiran Rural Koppal Kustagi Dothihala 4 Kiran Rural Raichur Devadurga Jerabandi 5 Sarvodaya Mahila Mattu Belgaum Ramadurga K.Zunipet Graminabhivruddi Samsthe 6 Sapthagiri Rural Bangalore Rural Nelamangala Shivagange 7 Development Devanahalli Koira 8 Chikkaballapura Sidlagatta Kothanur 9 Gowribidanur Thondebavi 10 Nisargapeksha Society Dakshina Puttur Perabe Kannada 11 Mangalore Someshwara 12 Udupi Kundapura Golihole 13 Shrama Hassan Arasikere J.C.Pura 14 Arakalgudu Bychenahalli 15 Sarvodaya Mahila Mattu Belgaum Khanapur Knakumbi Graminabhivruddi Samsthe

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16 Sri Institute for Rural Mandya Malavalli Kirugavalu Development Mandya 17 Sri Institute for Rural Mandya K.R.Pet Harlahalli Development Mandya 18 Kayak Vikas Vedike Bidar Basavakalyana Morakandi Yarandgi 19 Mahatma Gandhi Rural Chitradurga Holalkere taluk Havinatti 20 Development and Youth Challakere Talu Siddaeshwarana Welfare Centre Durga 21 Grams Raichur Raichur Kalmala 22 Manvi Neermanvi 23 Kuvempu University Chickmagalore Sringeri Nemmuru 24 Vidyaranyapura 25 Gnanaganga, Gulbarga Yadgir Shahapura Gogi 26 University Ibrahimpura 27 Surpur Geddalmari 28 Naganoor 29 Yadgir Kaulur 30 Halgera

9. Access and Benefit sharing of Bio-resources According to various estimates, the potential value of biological diversity and genetic resources range anywhere between US$ 800billion to US$ 1 trillion. However, this potential is not available in a form for us to use directly but is based on careful prospecting of genetic resources for products, derivatives and services. Though these biological resources have been used in many forms since the birth of civilization, as they are available in nature or in its other variable conditions, with the advent of new technologies we can add value to existing biological diversity and genetic resources. These value additions can convert the genetic resources into new products of biotechnological food and medicines, other pharmaceutical products, etc. But one of the key issues in such use and value additions is how to regulate benefit sharing from such resources? Questions of who shares benefits, how would the benefits be shared equitably, what kinds of benefits and how such benefits are made available to the providers are relevant in the above respect.

At the moment National Biodiversity Authority has enables State Biodiversity Boards to act on this matter with the set of guidelines. Following the guidelines, KBB has taken several initiatives and are as follows. i) Pharmaceutical companies (208) have been asked to intimate the KBB about their likely utilization of bio-resources that are declared to be “protected” as per the guidelines by Convention on Biodiversity and International Union for Conservation of Nature, for the commercial purposes.

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

ii) Identification of population and distribution of Nothapodytes nimmonaian and Macherus macrantha in the Karnataka.

10. Legal activities

1. A criminal complaint (No 579/2012) was filed on 24/11/2012 against UAS Dharwad and Mahyco and Monsanto companies and others in principal JMF Court Dharwad for using 6 local varieties of Brinjal for Bt. Brinjal Development without previous approval from National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai. Secretary, NBA as the first complainant and Deputy Conservator of Forests, Karnataka Biodiversity Board and Deputy Conservator of Forests (Dharwad) are the 2nd and 3rd complaints respectively.

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and three other respondents in this case succeeded in getting six months stay on the proceedings of Criminal Complaint (No 579/2012) on 5/9/2012 in the circuit bench of High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad. Karnataka Biodiversity Board has furnished para wise replies to its Advocate, National Biodiversity Authority to file objections to vacate the stay. 2. Environment Support Group, a Bangalore based NGO has filed a PIL No (41532/2012) in the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka in the matter of implementation of Biological Diversity Act 2002 against Ministry of Ecology and Forest, GoI, National Biodiversity Authority, Karnataka Biodiversity Board and Government of Karnataka.

Karnataka Biodiversity Board has appointed a lawyer to plead in the court and has prepared parawise replies and submitted in the Court through its lawyer.

3. Environment Support Group, a Bangalore based NGO has filed applications 6/2012 and 12/2012 in National Green Tribunal, Chennai, (NGT) challenging transfer of 9273 acres of Amrit Mahal Kaval land in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga District.

Karnataka Biodiversity Board is one of the respondents in their applications and has furnished para wise replies to Government for approval. 11. Publications: During this year the board continued to enhance its productivity and efforts were made to create social outreach platforms that included the publishing news letter, creation of board’s own BlogSpot and reaching out to nature lovers on facebook. Broadly, the activities can be listed as follows.

1. Publication of news letter in the electronic form 2. Creation of BlogSpot with the title: karnatakabiodiversityboard.wordpress.com 3. Creation of Karnataka Biodiversity Board face book account, now it has more than 50 nature lovers in the friend list hailing from various states of the country.

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

12. Budget and Expenditure

Sl.No Year Budget received from Expenditure Govt. of Karnataka (Rs. in lakhs) (Rs. in lakhs) 1 2003-04 20.00 10.42 2 2004-05 28.00 28.00 3 2005-06 30.00 37.84 4 2006-07 57.39 51.66 5 2007-08 77.50 77.50 6 2008-09 90.00 83.34 7 2009-10 132.00 135.35 8 2010-11 188.00 134.62 9 2011-12 129.00 119.95 10 2012-13 170.00 156.85 11 2013-14 250.00 192.77 (unaudited)

13. Highlights of important Research Projects

i. Establishment of a network of in-situ Dry zone conservation sites in Karnataka:

Dry Zone Districts of Karnataka

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

Summary of the work: The botanical survey was carried out by different experts in different seasons to prepare site wise check list of available species. Herbarium specimens were collected, identified and pasted with labels. The specimens are deposited in the Department of Botany, Karnataka Science College, Dharwad. More than 4000 species were identified initially. Later 3760 accessions has been authenticated by removing synonyms and over lapping’s. The collections were classified as herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers and parasites. Other information like weather the plant is used as medicine, fruit, timber or vegetable is collected from the local people and verified with available literature.

Based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list website and Conservation Assessment and Management Prioritization (CAMP) organized by FRLHT, the species identified in 13 dry zone sites have been assigned the threatened status. The latest version 3.1 has been considered for this purpose. Maximum number of plants has been identified under Fabaceae family followed by Astraceae and Euphorbiaceae. Most of the medicinal plants produce phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites like tannins are due to stress created by high temperature and scarcity of water. The following table shows plant families placed in descending order. The floristic diversity information provides complete picture of different species available in various seasons and associated faunal diversity. The local community members can be trained to improve livelihood opportunities, so that conservation measures can be best placed.

ii. Floristic Diversity, Ecological Uniqueness & Conservation Strategies of Riparian Flora of Netravati River system in Western Ghats Range of Dakshina Kannada

The studies on inventorying various organisms, understanding their diversity at gene and species levels, along with their threat assessment are considered to be a significant exercise today, since they provide key information for planning and executing relevant conservation strategies. Floristic and ecological studies in the ecosystems with rich biodiversity like evergreen forest ecosystems assume further importance as they are crucial for providing both natural resource goods and ecosystem services in developing countries of the tropical region like India. The relevance of such field research of conservation biology approach and their contributions towards the management of natural habitats are being recognized across the globe. Such inputs are considered to be vital for ensuring the protection of the key habitats and keystone species for the sustainability of biosphere (Swaminathan, M.S., 2002). Therefore, the tropical evergreen forest ecosystems are increasingly brought under focus and efforts are being made to understand the huge life forms they support across the globe. These primary climax ecosystems show high endemism of flora, fauna and microbe, having unique structures, functions and relatively high productivity. Evergreen forest regions of India especially in Eastern Himalaya and Western Ghats are recognized to be such huge biodiversity points, as they represent the biodiversity hotspots of global significance. (Myers et al. 2002). Western Ghats alone, for instance, has nearly more than 4800 species of recorded flowering plant species; nearly 2100 species among them are considered to be endemic (Ramesh, B.R. & Pascal, J.P., 1996).

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The Charmady hill range in the border of Belthangady & Mudigere Forest Ranges, which form the prime watershed of Netravati River system. ( The I-Order streams get originate in these shola forest)

The common landscape in the upper reaches of Netravati River watershed (The origin point of I-Order streams)

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The typical riparian zone as an ecosystem, in the perennial streams of Netravati River. (III-Order Streams)

iii. Genetic Diversity Studies of the Mango population in Kirigavalu village of Malavalli Taluq –Mandya district

Mango is the main fruit of Asia and this fruit has developed its own importance all over the world. Being a useful and delicious fruit, it was the part of culture and religion since long time. Besides of its being of fine taste and good qualities, it is called as the king of the fruits. In order to strengthen the scientific basis on in situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity on farm the KBDB has sanctioned a project to the University Of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore in 2012.The project has initiated characterization and evaluation of the mango population in Kirigavulu village and the results presented here under is the final report of the same fulfilling the following objectives.

Tajmahal Madeena

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

iv. Developing a web based atlas depicting the spatial patterns of the biodiversity of Karnataka Karnataka state is spread over an area of ~190,000 km2 and involves major ecosystems such as Western Ghats, coastal plains, Deccan platue, arid and semi arid regions, wetlands, wide variety of agro ecosystems etc. Theses variety of ecosystems and climatic conditions result in an environment extremely rih in biodiversity. Unfortunately, most aspects of this biodiversity are not at all documented. Also, all the information existing is scattered in multiple formats and locations. The proposed project attempts to compile this extensive information about biodiversity of Karnataka in a special form. The specific objectives are as follows. 1. Develop the comprehensive geo environmental database from the existing information related to biodiversity distribution and conservation of Karnataka. 2. Design develop and implement the dynamic biodiversity atlas based on web GIS and associated technologies. And, 3. Strengthen the ongoing national level efforts to build biodiversity information infrastructures. v. Ecological carrying capacity of Uttara Kannada District The conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems are the vital components in the pursuit of development goals that are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. This requires an understanding of the complex functioning of ecosystems, and recognition of the full range and diversity of resources, values and ecological services that they represent. In this scenario, The Uttara Kannada district is in need for ecologically sound development plans for sustainable productivity. For preparation of such a plan, the basic need is to have a fresh appraisal of the carrying capacity of the district, which has never been done before. Major objectives of the present study were as follows. 1. To determine the Holistic Net Present Value of the ecosystem. 2. To determine the Economic values of ecological Services of forest and river ecosystems 3. To understand the Economic values of ecological services of coastal ecosystems 4. Economic values of biodiversity 5. Tangible economic value of natural ecosystems and their significance in the global climate change context 6. Socio-economic worthiness of people’s institutions and organizations vi. Establishment of Herbarium and a botanical museum of the plants of Western ghats at Pillikula Nisarga Dham Objectives of the present studies are as follows.

1. Survey and collection of plants of Western Ghats of Karnataka and to prepare herbarium specimens. 2. Establishment of Karnataka Western Ghats Herbarium Centre at Pilikula Nisargadhama. 3. Establishment of Botanical Museum of Western Ghats of Karnataka. 4. Survey, documentation of plant species and Preparation of report on the sacred groves in Coastal Karnataka of Western Ghats Region.

Annual Report Year 2013-2014

vii. Project on Protection, Conservation and Cultivation method for Wild Banana in Kodagu District. Wild banana is found in the regions of Galibeedu and K. Niduguni gram panchayats of Madikeri talluk. It is found that only in one or two families of above said GPs and 2-4 plants of kadubale. The information collected from owners of plants revealed that the plants are growing naturally and yield is minimum. The propagation is by the suckers. The cultivating method as in other varieties of banana is not found in anywhere in Kodagu for commercial cultivation. It is also observed that Kadubale is resistant to plant diseases and also has medicinal properties. The objectives of the present study are as follows. 1. To undertake a study and research on collection of traditional knowledge about kadu bale and its existence, growth, yield, resistance to diseases etc. 2. To understand the methodologies for large scale cultivation of kadu bale of kodagu in different changed soil, environmental parameters using only organic or compose manure. viii. Baseline Profiling of Cultural – Heritage of Biodiversity in selected Eco-zones of Karnataka Our current understanding of the plant resources has largely been defined from the non-cultural perspectives which are based on the conventional studies by the plant scientists (botanists, ecologists, foresters, biochemists, pharmacologists). Because of such over emphasis laid from the non-cultural perspective we are quire ignorant about even the presence of cultural significance of plants despite the fact that these resources have been an integral part of our own traditions for centuries. Therefore it is necessary to look at such cultural heritage biodiversity resources with an element of openness. The immediate need is to understand the significance of such plants which are positioned as the cultural resources in a given human cultural context so that the understanding about the plants becomes complete, meaningful and conservation-friendly. The objectives of the study were as follows. 1. To carry out a baseline profiling of the cultural heritage biodiversity resources in select agro-eco-zones of Karnataka. 2. To prepare cultural resource mapping of select village clusters. 3. To do a baseline enumeration of cultural resources. 4. Development of a heritage herbarium.

Member Secretary, Karnataka Biodiversity Board

IODIVER B Annual SReport Year 2013-2014 A IT K Y A T B

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D A K 2013-14 ªÁ¶ðPÀ ªÀgÀ¢ Annual Report 2013-14

GOVERNMENT OF KARANATAKA

KARNATAKA BIODIVERSITY BOARD (Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment)