The Hindu Business Line : Biodiversity Board gets cracking

THE Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) is to speed up its activities to conserve and protect all biological materials in land and water besides controlling the export and import of such materials.

Speaking to Business Line on Thursday, Dr A.M. Michael, Chairman of the KSBB and former Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Agricultural University, said that the board in its first meeting on April 8, had discussed the Biodiversity Act, rules and the biodiversity strategy and action plan.

The second meeting would be held in the second week of November, he said. He said that the institutions in different areas would identify the biodiversity wealth especially the endangered species and those unique to the State, and with the support of the respective Government departments, the board would initiate steps for its conservation and protection.

The Kerala Forest Research Institute at Peechi would have a major responsibility as a centre for the conservation and protection of the forest wealth both plants and animals.

Besides, it would compile materials and function as a research centre and a repository of available information. A scientist would be appointed and posted there, he said.

For the effective implementation of the programmes development committees would be constituted at panchayat level. The Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), a State Government institution at Thrissur, will train the members of these committees, Dr Michael said.

The State Government established the KSBB by a notification in February with Dr Michael as Chairman.

The members are Dr A.D. Damodaran, former Chairman, Science and Technology and Environment Committee; Dr K.V. Ahmed Bavappa, former Director, CPCRI; Dr A.K.K. Unni, former Director, Poultry Development Board and now Chairman, Research Coordination Division of AIMS; Dr L. Lakshamanan, Chennai, and Dr J.K. Sarma, Director, KFRI.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page