BIODIVERSITY NEWSLETTER Issue #

KARNATAKA BIODIVERSITY BOARD Biodiversity Newsletter

Volume-5, Issue: 3 July- September 2014 www.newsonair.nic.i n BIODIVERSITY BOARD. BENGALURU IN THIS ISSUE

 Biodiversity of Netrani Coral Editorial Board 1. Reef Island {1-2}  Shri. R. M. N. Sahai. IFS (Retd)., Chairman

 Shri. Rajkishore Singh. IFS., Member Secretary  Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2. 2011-2020, including Aichi  Dr. Shri. Ramakrishna Arkalgud, Consultant Biodiversity Targets {3} (Publication and Training), and Former Director, Zoological Survey of .  The Biological Diversity Act,  Shri. Vinayak Kulkarni, Technical Executive (Marine 3. Biology) 2002 {4-6}

A warm wel come to all the readers of  Biodiversity Management 4. Committees constitution training programmes { 7-9}

“The aim of Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) is to create awareness and disseminate 5.  New species of frogs discovered information of Biodiversity. Keeping this in in Karnataka for the year 2014 view, KBB is bringing out this quarterly Newsletter that will help you in gaining insights {10-11} about the ongoing activities of KBB and highlights of issues related to Biodiversity” 6.  Upcoming events of biodiversity and consrvation {12-13} BIODIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue #

Biodiversity of Netrani Coral Reef Island

Netrani is an uninhabited island located nearly 18 km off the shore of of Uttara district, Karnataka State in the southwest coast of India (14.014152°- 14.02486° N lat 74.324203° to 74.330164° E long. The Central point of the island is at 14.017319° 74.327183°). The total area of Netrani Island is about 29 ha. It is a steep rising island from the waters and difficult to land on it by a boat from any side. The island is practically unapproachable during the rainy season from June to October. The basal portion of the island is of granite rocks whereas its top portion, 6 to 10 m above the water level is covered with laterite rocks and soil. This part is apparently a secondary formation, probably owing its origin to deposits of eroded materials from the land by an ancient river. The island, though steep rising from the sea is relatively flatter towards the top. A sacred island of coastal people: The Gazetteer of Bombay, Part Kanara by Campbell, in 1883 considered Netrani as part of (then Kanara). It is mentioned that the island is a sacred place of the coastal people. The densely wooded island even to this day a common worship place for Hindus, Muslims and Christians and as such is a traditional place of communal harmony. Worshippers from the coasts of the district flock the island on special occasions. The worshippers leave live fowls and goats in the island as offerings to the deities.

Floristic richness: The Island has several elements of flora surviving in isolation from the mainland community and adapted to seasonal desiccation, high speed winds and heavy rains. Floristically the island has semi-evergreen forests, similar to such forests along the coast. But because of its isolation from the mainland for long periods the island has its own unique plant elements as well. Specially noticed is the herbaceous1. climber of the genus Luffa, which includes the cultivated ridge-gourd used as a vegetable. The wild relative of ridge gourd seems to be extremely rare species. Further the island is a good repository of the Ashoka trees Saraca asoca. The tree is considered sacred in this country and the bark is a reputed medicine in Ayurveda. There are also some evergreen trees of the mango family Anacardiaceae, belonging to the genus Nothopegia, of which no close looking plants are found in the coastal forests of Uttara Kannada. The island has several species of figs, of genus Ficus1.which are considered as ‘keystone resources’ of the tropical forests, one or the other trees always in fruits and supporting birds, bats and mammals, especially in times of scarcity. We could record at least four species of Ficus namely: Ficus arnottiana, Ficus drupacea, Ficus callosa, F. amplissima. The entire forest is wreathed in a variety of herbaceous and woody climbers. Aglaia littoralis is common along windswept edges, as a bushy shrub.

Bird community: The Island has a bird community of around 21 species, which probably keep changing seasonally, due to winter migration and local migrations. Most of these are coastal and marine birds. Notable among them are

the Endangered Edible nest swiftlets and the White breasted1 eagle (White bellied sea eagle), both resident in the island. The former is a rare record for the west coast and is found in some of the rock caves above BIODIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue #

the high tide level. Gulls and Terns and Curlews are winter migrants and not residents. Repeated surveys are likely to yield more number of birds.

Coral reefs of Netrani Corals: In the year 2003 the students of Marine Biology department, Karnataka University visited the Island and made some underwater study and found rich biodiversity in the region and brought it to the notice of the Karnataka Biodiversity Board. In the year 2006 at initiation of Biodiversity Board, for the first time, an underwater coral reef ecosystem surrounding the island was studied by scientists from CMFRI. Far from the mainland, the clear seawater, uniform salinity and temperature are ideal for colonization and survival of coral reefs (Zacharia et al., 2008). The nearest known coral reef formation, the Gaveshani bank off Malpe, is located nearly 70 nautical miles south of Netrani Island. The number of coral genera reported from this submerged island was five. As many as 11 genera (14 species) of corals are found distributed in Netrani Island waters (Zacharia et al., 2008) as rich fringing coral reef system, on granitic base. Sea depth surrounding this island is 6-40 m and water visibility 15-30 m. Occurrence of coral reefs along the southwest coast was once considered meager to non-existent. Considering the small size of this island (29 ha), the coral reef system is extremely important in this ecofragile ecosystem. Fishes: Altogether 92 fishes were reported by the scientists of CMFRI, Cochin, mostly through short time sample surveys. The speicies diversity is likely to be still larger. Schools of blue trigger fish, titan trigger fish, fusiliers, groupers, parrot fish, gobies, lion fish and scorpion fish, trevallies, squirrelfish, angelfish, giant eels, honey-comb moray eels, sergeant majors, cow-nosed ray etc are frequent in the area. Altogether 26 species and 4 genera of fishes are new records for the Indian coast. May be because of the rockiness of the surroundings of Netrani bottom trawling is not done, and therefore, not only species but also the populations of many are very high per unit area. The coral reef system of Netrani is rich in species of the fish family Chaetodontidae, which has at least 7 sp. They are indicators of reef building activity and good coral system. Source: Dr. V. N. Naik, Zilla Vijnana Kendra. . Information credit: Dr. V. N. Naik

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Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, including Aichi Biodiversity Targets

In decision X/2, the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, held from 18 to 29 October 2010 at Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, adopted a revised and updated Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, for the 2011-2020 period. This plan provides an overarching framework on biodiversity, not only for the biodiversity-related conventions, but for the entire United Nations system and all other partners engaged in biodiversity management and policy development. Parties agreed to translate this overarching international framework into revised and updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans within two years. Additionally, in decision X/10, the Conference of the Parties decided that the fifth national reports, due by 31 March 2014, should focus on the implementation of the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan and progress achieved towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Some examples of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are:

 At least halve and, where feasible, bring close to zero the rate of loss of natural habitats, including forests  Establish a conservation target of 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10% of marine and coastal areas  Restore at least 15% of degraded areas through conservation and restoration activities  Make special efforts to reduce the pressures faced by coral reefs

Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services Generalized aquatic food Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning,web. Parasites, knowledge among the most diverse species in the management and capacity building food web, are not shown.

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The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

What is covered by the Biological Diversity Act?

The Act covers conservation, use of biological resources and associated knowledge occurring in India for commercial or research purposes or for the purposes of bio-survey and bio-utilisation. It provides a framework for access to biological resources and sharing the benefits arising out of such access and use. The Act also includes in its ambit the transfer of research results and application for intellectual property rights (IPRs) relating to Indian biological resources.

Who is covered by the Biological Diversity Act and what do they require?

The Act covers foreigners, non-resident Indians, body corporate, association or organization that is either not incorporated in India or incorporated in India with non-Indian participation in its share capital or management. These individuals or entities require the approval of the National Biodiversity Authority when they use biological resources and associated knowledge occurring in India for commercial or research purposes or for the purposes of bio-survey or bio-utilization.

Indians and Indian institutions do not require the approval of the National Biodiversity Authority when they engage in the above mentioned activities. However they would need to inform the State Biodiversity Boards prior to undertaking such activities. However, any commercial application related to use of biological resources should be approved by the Authority.

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Who and what is excluded by the Biological Diversity Act?

The Act excludes Indian biological resources that are normally traded as commodities. Such exemption holds only so far the biological resources are used as commodities and for no other purpose. The Act also excludes traditional uses of Indian biological resources and associated knowledge and when they are used in collaborative research projects between Indian and foreign institutions with the approval of the central government.

What is the National Biodiversity Authority required to do when it receives an application for approval to use Indian biological resources and associated knowledge?

The National Biodiversity Authority shall give approval, based on agreement with State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), only after establishing mutually agreed terms and an equitable benefit sharing agreement between the users of the biological resources and associated knowledge and concerned local bodies and benefit claimers.

What are the consequences of lack of compliance with the Biological Diversity Act?

In cases where an approval of the National Biodiversity Authority is required for the use of Indian biological resources and associated knowledge and such approval is not obtained, the punishment can extend to five years imprisonment or a fine of ten lakh rupees or both.

In cases where the State Biodiversity Board needs to be intimated about the use of Indian biological resources and associated knowledge and this is not done, the punishment can extent to three years imprisonment or a fine of five lakh rupees or both.

Any offence under the Act is cognizable and non-bailable.

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Relevant definitions for the purposes of the Biological Diversity Act:

Biological resources: means plants, animals, microorganisms, genetic material and by-products of value but excluding human genetic material.

Bio-survey and bio-utilization: means survey or collection of species, sub-species, genes, components and extracts of biological resources for any purpose including for characterization, inventories and bioassay.

Benefit claimers: means conservers of biological resources and their by-products and creators and holders of knowledge relating to the use of such biological resources.

Commercial utilization: means using biological resources as drugs, industrial enzymes, food flavours, fragrances, cosmetics, emulsifiers, oleoresins, colours, extracts and genes used for improving crops and livestock through genetic intervention.

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Training programmes conducted for Gram Panchayat Level officers, peoples representatives and Line department officials

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New species of frogs discovered in Karnataka for the year 2014

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Credits: Dr. K. P. Dinesh

Micrixalus candidus

Hylarana indiaca

Micrixallus specca

Nictibatrachus kumbara

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Upcoming events of biodiversity and Conservation

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Publisher: Karnataka Biodiversity Board Ground Floor, Vana Vikasa 18th cross, Malleshwaram. Bangalore 560003 Telephone: 080-23448783 FAX: 080-23440535 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kbb.kar.nic.in

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