Sacred Groves - a rich abode of biodiversity in Kerala; now on the verge of extinction.

- stated a report over a year ago in March 2015, prepared by a Committee chaired by State Minister for Forest, Sports and Cinema Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan, which was tabled in the ongoing Assembly session then.

The report went on to state that , 'the sprawling patches of sacred groves; the rich abode of biodiversity seen in and around villages across Kerala, are on the verge of extinction due to large-scale construction following demographic changes.'

'Known as 'sarpakavu' or 'kavu' in local parlance, sacred groves are traditional places of worship with some of them having idols of snakes and goddesses.'

'The increase in number of construction of new buildings in the place of ancestral homes, which used to house sacred groves in their premises, have virtually led to the destruction of this biodiversity system.'
 
'The report also said indiscriminate grazing in the last few decades, uncontrolled felling of trees for firewood and changes in the pattern of worship (from nature worship to temple) have also contributed to the dwindling of groves.'

'Groves are home to a large number of rare flora and fauna, including those facing extinction threat. As many as 475 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, 156 species of reptiles, 91 species of amphibians, 196 species of fishes and 150 varieties of butterflies can be seen in the groves in the state.'

'Though there were about 10,000 groves in the princely state of Travancore before the formation of Kerala, only  1,200 of them remain now.'

'Coastal district Alappuzha has the highest number of groves, while high-range districts of Idukki and Wayanad have the lowest number.' 

'Iringorkavu", spread over 2.5 acres in Perumbavur in Ernakulam district, is the largest grove in the state.' it said.'

Some Observations:
1. The report failed to mention a law - 'The Kerala Joint Hindu Family System (Abolition) Act, 1975' which wrought havoc in joint Hindu families who were conserving most of the sacred groves and the flora and fauna in them, in Kerala. Partition deeds for share of the lands to be given to each family member- increased- much more than the species existing in these sacred groves.

2. Sacred Groves are precious assets. Only those who have worshipped in these glorious places can preserve them through traditional practices distilled with their rich traditional knowledge of nature.

3. Traditional knowledge which was passed from generation to generation mostly through women of the families was cruelly disrupted. 

4. Close relationships within most families were broken through 'The Kerala Joint Hindu Family System (Abolition) Act, 1975' law which only encouraged conflict between members to battle each other in courts of law.  

5. All sorts of predators... still prowl around vulnerable family members to draw one into ...prolonged court cases 

6.The snakes in the Hindu sacred groves were more trustworthy, dependable... than these *vile predators*.

7. The pattern of worship from nature to temples (that are now *controlled* by the Government (via the various Devaswom boards) bringing in much money (?) was a corollary.

8.The Marumakkathayam Law which gave inalienable rights to property and right to matrilocality to girls protecting them in the eventuality of a serious mental illness disability was abolished too as it is mentioned in 'The Kerala Joint Hindu Family System (Abolition) Act, 1975'

9. So many women with serious mental illness disability who could heal in the environment of the quiet peaceful rich sacred groves in Kerala were adversely impacted which is strangely overlooked by ...academics, historians.

Tonglu and Dhotrey Declared *National Biodiversity Heritage Sites* in 2015...

..home to the most striking lichens, the brilliant blossoms of rhododendrons, magnolias, the red panda once not so elusive, the rich repository of plant life, the fragrant air.....the wondrous Eastern Himalayas in India.

1. The National Biodiversity Authority, an Autonomous and Statutory Body of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, in its website has recognized the importance of Tonglu covering an area of 230 hectares and Dhotrey covering an area of 180 hectares, both located in the Darjeeling District in West Bengal as *Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas*. 

2. On 21 April 2015, the Darjeeling Times had reported -

Tonglu and Dhotrey Declared - National Biodiversity Heritage Sites

'Taking into consideration the immense bio-diversity and natural wealth of the region, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has declared Tonglu and Dhotrey as National Biodiversity Heritage Sites.

The declaration of this region as National Biodiversity Heritage Site will play an important role in conserving the unique and rare flora, fauna and insects that are currently poached and smuggled into China and other countries via Nepal.

Both these forest regions fall under Singhalila National Park, with Tonglu covering an area of 230 hectors, and Dhotrey covers 150 hectors.

Home to the elusive Red Panda and some of the most beautiful varieties of Rhododendrons, Singhalila National Park was recently declared one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World - by Yahoo.'

References:
1.National Biodiversity Authority
2.Photograph from blog by Amlan
3.DarjeelingTimes.com - Darjeeling News

Evergreen Trees of the rain forest in Western Ghats and the sacred Hindu groves

...Artocarpus hirsutus, the wild Jack, known as *Ayani*, *Angilly* in Malayalam. 

There were about 10,000 sacred groves, a rich abode of biodiversity in the princely state of Travancore before the formation of Kerala, only over 1,200 of them remain.

Artocarpus hirsutus trees in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Pepper (Piper nigrum) growing up a tall Artocarpus hirsutus in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Higher temperatures, falling fruit of Artocarpus hirsutus

Days of heavy rainfall before the scheduled South West Monsoon

… and unusual blossoms.

The South West monsoon which hits Kerala is scheduled to begin in 1st June or end of May. A map of this year’s monsoon by the Indian Meteorological Department is given below.

 

The website of the Indian Meteorological Department is very interesting and informative.

This year the season rainfall from 1 March to 20 May was much higher than the normal rainfall in all the districts of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram district recorded 598.1mm of rainfall . The normal rainfall during this period is 277 mm. The percentage departure is 116% -an excess

Last year in 2014 the premonsoon rainfall was normal in all the districts of Kerala except in Thiruvananthapuram and Wynad which showed an excess percentage of departure.

The excess rainfall in all the districts of Kerala, this year has brought flooding of rainwater into homes. Many roads and streets are still waist-deep with water. There is coastal erosion causing  havoc to human life, much before the scheduled monsoon.

The laterite soil sprung some wonders after the first heavy downpour.

Fire Ball Lily / Foot Ball Lily (Haemanthus multiflorus)

Where did the bulbs come from ? 
There was a surprise from an old coconut tree. An Ipomea growing from within its narrow hollow gave forth blossoms. The lichens still linger on the old coconut trees.

An Ipomea growing from within an old coconut tree, blossoms

Reference: 
1. Indian Meteorological Department (Ministry Earth Sciences, Government of India)

A resident baby chameleon on a Hibiscus sapling

More to chameleons than just social signalling when their presence could indicate a bio diverse environment. Growing shrubs attract chameleons. Found that they liked to sit on short growing shrubs, in undisturbed areas in the night time.

A resident baby chameleon climbing up a Hibiscus sapling in the night

It takes some time when you are young to climb a Hibiscus sapling

Looking for a suitable place for food?

Trying out a spot to catch the night fliers? 

Waiting for the Monarch butterfly.....blossoms of Calotropis gigantea

 ...in the October rains, North East Monsoon.

It takes about fifteen months after planting saplings of the shrub Calotropis gigantea to flower. Calotropis gigantea is commonly known as 'Arakku' in the Malayalam language and 'Madar' in Hindi. 

Planted the saplings in a place with direct sunlight. Saplings did not need much watering. Found that plants could be watered once in three days even with day temperatures high as 29 degrees celsius. Possible that humidity in the environment helps.

Observed that visitors like butterflies and bees hover and linger for quite some over the flowers.

Flower Buds of Calotropis gigantea

Waiting for the Monarch butterfly ...blossoms of Calotropis gigantea

Blossoms in the October rains, North East Monsoons

Calotropis gigantea shrubs growing in a sunny area in the laterite soil

'UN biodiversity pact seeks to ensure fair, transparent use of world’s genetic resources'

Not come across discussions after this news release on biodiversity ...so far, hence posting it in this blog with the link.

From the UN News Centre:
13 October 2014 

FEATURE: UN biodiversity pact seeks to ensure fair, transparent use of world’s genetic resources

13 October 2014 – After decades of negotiations, the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing entered into force on Sunday, enhancing opportunities for the equitable sharing of benefits of the world’s biodiversity.

The Protocol, named after the Japanese city where it was agreed in 2010, establishes clear rules for accessing, trading, sharing and monitoring the use of the world’s genetic resources that can be used for pharmaceutical, agricultural and cosmetic purposes.

By establishing this framework, the Protocol, which falls under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), seeks to ensure that genetic resources are not used without the prior consent of the countries that provide them, and that the communities that possess the traditional knowledge associated with the use of these resources also enjoy the benefits of sharing them with the rest of the world.

However, 50 Parties to the CBD had to ratify before it could enter into force. The Protocol received its final necessary ratification on 14 July 2014. It now has 54 ratifications. “The Protocol essentially offers countries a framework that allows them to regulate the access to their genetic resources and at the same time decide under which conditions this access will take place, and what benefits they will get from it,” said Viviana Figueroa, CBD Associate Programme Officer.

Benefits received in exchange for access to genetic resources can be monetary or non-monetary, including, for instance, technology transfer, joint research or capacity-building activities.

Establishing a clear path from the discovery of a genetic resource all the way to its commercialization can be a tricky and comprehensive legal process, one that involves various governments, local authorities, businesses and indigenous communities. The Protocol seeks to reduce uncertainty in this entire process by setting transparent and fair conditions throughout the whole value chain.

“On the one hand, many regions are rich in biodiversity and are therefore rich in genetic resources and traditional knowledge,” Ms. Figueroa explained in an interview with the UN News Centre. “This is the case of Latin America, Africa and the Pacific. On the other hand, more developed countries have the technology but not the genetic resources or traditional knowledge, which they need to access to develop new products such as medicine, food, etc. All of this requires a structured process with clear relationships between supplier and consumer countries.”

For example, the healers of the indigenous Maori in the Cook Islands possess a wide range of traditional medicinal knowledge, including applications for various plants such as the arnebia auchroma and hibiscus esculentus which are useful in the treatment of bone fractures and skin afflictions.

If a researcher wanted to further investigate and commercialize these genetic resources he/she would have to follow a number of procedures including obtaining consent from indigenous communities and the Government to use these plants. From the point of view of the indigenous group, they possess the traditional knowledge on this resource and are therefore entitled to benefits from its sharing and trading. The Cook Islands Government would also seek to ensure that it benefits from resources found in its territory.

In this case, Dr. Graham Matheson, a national of the Cook Islands, consulted both the Government and the Koutu Nui before doing further research into these plants in 2003. The parties successfully reached a benefit-sharing agreement and an incorporated company was created, with Mr. Matheson and the Koutu Nui equal shareholders.

But indigenous communities are not always involved in negotiations from the start and many times they may not even know that they are entitled to benefits derived from their knowledge.

Before the Nagoya Protocol there was no overarching international framework to document the use of genetic resources, and it is hoped that with its implementation there will be more legal certainty and transparency when researchers approach countries about using their genetic resources for various purposes.

“The Nagoya Protocol is the first international instrument to recognize that indigenous and local communities have the right to receive benefits from the resources found in their lands and knowledge that they have about these,” said Maria Eugenia Choque Quispe, from the Aymara people in Bolivia, who is also an Expert Member on the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues .

Ms. Quispe, along with many other representatives of indigenous communities around the world, was involved throughout the negotiations of the Nagoya Protocol, and sees the agreement as an instrument to empower indigenous people.

“Indigenous communities have been key to the Nagoya Protocol, and no other instrument gives them as much rights as this one,” said Ms. Figueroa, who, with CBD, travels to indigenous communities offering capacity-building workshops for indigenous communities in which their rights regarding genetic resources are explained.

The Nagoya Protocol and Sustainable Development

By helping to ensure fair benefit-sharing, the Nagoya Protocol will also create incentives to conserve and sustainably use genetic resources, increasing the contribution of biodiversity to development and human well-being.

“The implementation of the Nagoya Protocol represents a milestone not only for the Convention on Biological Diversity, but also in the history of global governance for sustainable development,” said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Director of the Convention on Biodiversity, at the opening of the first meeting of the Parties of the Protocol, which is taking place concurrently with the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea.

“The sustainable use of biological diversity plays a key role in poverty eradication and environmental sustainability, thereby contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” he said, referring to the eight largely anti-poverty targets, which come due in 2015.

One of the ways in which the Protocol seeks to increase transparency is through its Access Benefit-Sharing Clearing House (ABS-SH), which is an online platform for exchanging relevant information. Its goal is to enhance clarity on procedures for access as well as offering opportunities to connect users and providers of genetic resources and their associated traditional knowledge. With the Protocol entering into force, parties will be required to provide and regularly update information on the platform.

The way forward

Even though the Protocol has entered into force, it will take some time before it is fully operational, as many countries still need to implement national measures that comply with the accord’s terms of agreement. “There is an imbalance of knowledge between the North and South, so for example, African countries requested the German and Dutch governments at the time to support them in the negotiation phase,” said Suhel Al-Janabi, co-manager of the ABS- Capacity Development Initiative, which supports countries and stakeholders in developing national Access and Benefit Sharing systems. While the initiative began as a way to help developing countries in the Protocol negotiations, it has now drifted into providing support towards implementation.

“You cannot take the Protocol as a blueprint to be copied and pasted into national legislation because it’s a framework,” Mr. Al-Janabi said in an interview.

“Before legislation, countries have to know what they want to legislate, and many things need to be defined at national level. For instance, who will provide a genetic resource when it’s in the national park and there are indigenous communities around? Who will provide prior consent? Who will negotiate with the industrial sector? Is it the parks authority? Is it the chief of the local community? Is it the government? All these things need to be defined at a national level and these definitions need to take place before changing the law.”

Mr. Al-Janabi stressed that one of the key components of ABS systems is that they need to involve all relevant stakeholders to share benefits in an equitable way. “You need to have an inclusive process,” he said. “Stakeholder involvement is absolutely crucial so that you do not forget one important group in the setup of your ABS system.”

There are other details which are also essential such as finding out whether the genetic resource is also available in another country, and which terms of access and sharing have been established there.

The ABS-Capacity Development Initiative, which is managed by the German Development Corporation, is working with many countries who are in the process of ratifying the Protocol – 52 have ratified it so far – but will not do so until they have their national measures in place. For example, it is currently working with Cameroon to develop an ABS agreement with a French company that is interested in using a plant in the country as an ingredient for perfumes.

“We provided briefs to parliamentarians so they understood what the Protocol is about, there was support of many stakeholder groups, indigenous communities, science, the ministries in developing their national strategy. We also supported the development of interim regulation because the legislative process is long.”

The lengthy process however, could be fast-tracked if a genetic resource was found to be crucial in an emergency such as or a vaccine or for food security reasons. Article 8 of the Convention states that it will give special consideration in cases of “present or imminent emergencies that threaten or damage human, animal or plant health, as determined nationally or internationally.”

Overall, the Nagoya Protocol seeks to spread the benefits of the world’s genetic resources to people who need them. “Clarity between suppliers and consumers benefits us all,” Ms. Figueroa said. “New pharmaceutical products may lead to the cure of diseases, but if we don’t have clear rules mistrust is created and relationships between different stakeholders won’t last.” 

 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49064#.VE_1oVdRmRs

---

Why medicinal plants may fade out

'Why medicinal plants may fade out' 


CHENNAI: Going by the threat of extinction of many medicinal plants in the country are facing, traditional herbal formulations may soon become history. Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli district is home to 58 out of 122 endemic and threatened medicinal plant species found in the Western Ghats and other parts of peninsular India, says a book, 'Biodiversity Governance For Managing Endemic And Threatened Medicinal Plants In India - A Geoinformatic Approach'. Brought out by the National Biodiversity Authority, it aims to lay a roadmap for conservation of medicinal plants.
Indiscriminate harvesting of medicinal plants for commercial exploitation is wreaking havoc with the forest ecosystem and many of them face the threat of extinction, says the author, Manoj Kumar Sarkar, a senior Tamil Nadu cadre IFS officer.
India is next only to China in exporting medicinal plants and herbal products. With more than 50,000 herbal formulations and an industrial turnover of 4,200 crore per annum, the industry is projected to grow at 20-30% in the country. Still, India accounts for a meagre share of the $62 billion global market because only 15% of its produce is cultivated. "The balance 85% is exploited from the wild and there is no effort to replenish this forest resource," he said.

Sarkar said, "Along with biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources of forests becoming a global concern in the 1980's and 90's, there was an upsurge in the production of plant-based medicines and herbal products. It is estimated that more than 70% of people worldwide rely chiefly on traditional, largely herbal, medicine to meet their primary healthcare needs".

There is hardly any effort to protect medicinal plants, shrubs, herbs, climbers and grasses which constitute 66% of the flora. India is rich with floral diversity and is estimated to have about 45,000 plant species. About one-sixth of them have medicinal value. But almost 1,000 species of medicinal plants suffer from various degrees of threat, including genetic loss forever. Still there is no policy formulation for resource management in this sector. Much of the effort is concentrated on promoting tree species of commercial value like firewood, he lamented.

In the absence of specific laws to protect medicinal plants indiscriminately harvested from forests, it is not possible to book such offenders outside forest boundary even if they are caught with the loot. Moreover, the country lacks skill and expertise to identify such loot through biochemical tests. "To conserve threatened medicinal plants, we need to create an inventory of resources, assess species-specific threat status, bring in effective regulations, have short-term and long-term planning and involve all stakeholders in their implementation," said Sarkar.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Why-many-medicinal-plants-may-fade-out/articleshow/36985716.cms 

More to chameleons than social signalling

Strange that humans who are not trustworthy, inconsistent with unsavoury qualities are still being compared to chameleons when these humans can survive in very toxic environments whilst chameleons cannot. 

After removing toxic substances from the surroundings over a period of three years, an observation: to have gardens with chameleons avoiding use of pesticides and growing shrubs for them to climb on helps. Also chameleon friendly gardens attract butterflies, bees,dragonflies,frogs...

Did Charles Darwin mention anywhere that chameleons are least stressed when they are green in colour?

There is more to chameleons than social signalling. Their presence could indicate a bio diverse environment.

  A resident chameleon climbing up a vine...mindfulness