State Bio-diversity Board has set an ambitious target of opening bio-diversity management committees (BMCs) from panchayat to district level with an aim to conserve the flora and fauna of the state and also ensure equitable distribution of natural resources.
Chairman of the Board LR Singh stated the committees would be opened in all the 4397 panchayats, 266 blocks, 24 district and 31 municipal bodies of the state.
“Till March 18, 1800 BMCs were set up but work in this regard was taken up on war footing afterwards. Till date 3400 BMCs have been formed and we aiming to achieve 100 percent of the target by the end of the year,” he said. He added that People Biodiversity Register is also to be prepared at the panchayat, block, district and the municipal levels.
The register would be a comprehensive document of the natural resources and their traditional uses. Biodiversity has a vast assemblage and includes every living being including micro-organisms,” the chairman said.
According to the forest department Jharkhand is a part of biodiversity rich regions of India because of its diverse physiographic and climatic conditions.
The forests are largely tropical dry deciduous forest, moist deciduous forest, dry peninsular forest and dry mixed deciduous forest. The forests of the state form catchments of the three main rivers — Koel, Damodar and Subernrekha.
The State is also rich in wildlife. The species found here represent a wide range of plants and animals. This can be attributed to the vaeirty of terrain and land forms (including water bodies).
Besides, there is diversity of human influenced eco-systems. Various ethnic groups such as Munda, Ho, Oraon and Santhal have also influenced their eco-systems in varying practices of agriculture and pasture. According to Bio-diversity laws use of natural resources must be sustainable.
A fee has to be paid for trade of natural products at different places and the money would be used for conservation of the bio-diversity of the locality.
Any violation would attract stringent punishment including imprisonment for five years and a fine of 15 lakh. While Bio-diversity Board has a gigantic task before it, the board is hampered by inadequate infrastructure. It has currently a chairman, a divisional forest officer and only about half a dozen employees on contract basis.