METHODS TO CONSERVE FLORA AND FAUNA

Firm Steps for Conservation of Flora and Fauna
BACKGROUNDER

The Government has taken firm steps to conserve flora and fauna of the country.

Survey and inventorisation of floral and faunal resources are carried out by Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). The Forest Survey of India assesses the forest cover to develop an accurate database for planning and monitoring purposes.
A Protected Area Network of 96 National Parks, and 509 Wildlife Sanctuaries and three Conservation Reserves, covering more than 4.74% of the geographical area of the country has been created for in-situ conservation of habitats and ecosystems.
Fourteen biodiversity rich areas have been designated as Biosphere Reserves for conservation of representative ecosystems.
Species oriented programmes, namely, Project Tiger, Project Elephant and Project Rhino focussing on single species as well as for conserving their habitats and a variety of other species in those habitats are being implemented.
To complement in-situ conservation efforts, ex-situ conservation has been undertaken through botanic gardens, zoos, gene banks etc.
Biological Diversity Act 2002 has been enacted and Biological Diversity Rules 2004 have been notified, which aim at conservation of biological resources of the country and regulation of access to these resources to ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising out of their use.
Notification to general and industry specific emission and effluent standard.
Industries to obtain “Consent for Establishment” as well as “Consent to Operate” under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 from the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) prior to carrying out operations.
Environmental Impact Assessment of developmental projects and preparation of Environmental Management Plan as per the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment notification of September, 2006.
Adoption of cleaner technologies and use of improved fuel quality.
Regular monitoring of industrial units for environmental compliance.