People’s Biodiversity Register

About People’s Biodiversity Register:

• It serves as a comprehensive record of various aspects of biodiversity, including the conservation of habitats, preservation of land races, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals, micro-organisms, and the accumulation of knowledge related to the area's biological diversity.
• The Biological Diversity Act (2002)mandates development of Peoples’ Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) at local level to document as well as safe guard bioresources and associated knowledge.
  • As per the Biological Diversity Act 2002, Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are created for “promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity” by local bodies across the country.
  • BMCs have been constituted by the local bodies in the States and Union Territories and are entrusted with preparation of the PBRs in consultation with local communities.
• It will play a crucial role in conservation, sustainable resource utilisation, and protection of traditional knowledge.
• Significance of PBR: It will help local bodies in preparing various projects in agriculture, drinking water, and waste management, among other sectors, with a focus on biodiversity conservation and equitable sharing of benefits.

Q1: What are microorganisms?

A microorganism is defined as a living thing that is so small it must be viewed with a microscope. Some microorganisms like viruses are so small they can only be seen through a microscope.

Source: Divulging fascinating facts, Thazhakara panchayat publishes second volume of People’s Biodiversity Register