HERITAGE FOR POSTERITY
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PBR and CBI would serve the purpose of identifying the habitats, ecosystems for preservation, identification of local land races, folk varieties, stocks and breeds of domesticated animals and microorganisms. The study will contain detailed information on species and habitats and thereby document the traditional knowledge associated with Panaji’s biodiversity
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Panaji to get PBR, CBI within a year
Project will assess and quantify ecological and economic value of biological resources
THE GAON NETWORK
PANAJI
The City of Panaji is gearing up to get its People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) and City Biodiversity Index (CBI). The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has been hired to assist in the preparation of PBR and CBI and is expected to complete the entire exercise within a period of one year.
Speaking during the presentation on PBR and CBI at Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), Project Coordinator Dr Fraddry D’Souza said, “PBR is a document that inventories the biodiversity of a given locality and people's knowledge associated with bioresources. It is developed by people of their biodiversity and knowledge for biodiversity conservation and will have comprehensive information on availability and knowledge of local biological resources.”
The project aims to assess and quantify the ecological and economic value of biological resources present at local level using appropriate methodologies to determine benefit sharing which will help in better implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and its Rules 2004.
The year-long study will consist of city profiling, physical features, administration of biodiversity, assessment of biodiversity, native ecosystem service it provides and governance and management of biodiversity.
PBR and CBI would however serve the purpose of identifying the habitats, ecosystems for preservation, identification of local land races, folk varieties, stocks and breeds of domesticated animals and microorganisms. The study will contain detailed information on species and habitats and thereby document the traditional knowledge associated with Panaji’s biodiversity.
The Biodiversity Management Company (BMC) will work closely with other stakeholders and experts to put together this comprehensive document. Stakeholders include the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), Forest Department, Botanical Society of Goa, WWF, Birds of Goa and other agencies having expertise in the area.
Speaking to media persons after the presentation, Panaji MLA Sidharth Kuncalienkar said, “We have taken up this project to save our heritage for posterity. Our city is very receptive to wildlife varied biodiversities. This study will go a long way to define the city.”
Speaking on the occasion, Pradip Sarmokadam said, “It is the mandate of BMC to form the technical support group. The PBR which will be formed is a completely confidential document. It cannot be shared by anybody else as it is the property of the people of Panaji.”
