Biodiversity is the weapon that can effectively fight the disastrous consequences of climate change on global food security. Odisha, the genetic paradise of biodiversity, with several recorded biodiversity hot spots must preserve this wealth by effective management through community participation with emphasis on in-situ on-farm conservation and proper rewards for the community that helps achieve this goal.
This was observed by father of India's Green Revolution and Rajya Sabha member MS Swaminathan in his presidential address in the consultative seminar on Effective Community Management of Biodiversity in an Era of Climate Change organised jointly by the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology here on Saturday.
He rued that while the farmer is a key player in the efforts for food security management, till date nobody has thought of recognising his efforts with any award. No farmer has ever been nominated for the Padma awards, Dr Swaminathan, who is a Padma Bibhusan awardee pointed out.
Dr Swaminathan, who started his career in Odisha, was categorical that he considers rice as a climate saviour crop because wheat is very sensitive to small changes in climatic temperature and its yield can plummet if the temperature goes up by even one degree. So, efforts must be initiated promptly to ensure active community participation in the conservation efforts so that the genetic paradise of biodiversity that the State is known for does not become a paradise lost to future generations. He mentioned the concept of bio industrial watersheds as one way of converting biodiversity to bio happiness by providing jobs and social well being to small communities.
In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that 16,000 species are facing extinction due to climate change. Biodiversity management is based on managing the twin issues of ecological security and livelihood security. Harnessing the rich indigenous knowledge of resource management by ensuring community participation in conservation efforts is the key to managing biodiversity. Odisha has a rich tradition of community participation in conservation efforts as is seen from the protection of black bucks in Ganjam district. The efforts of the State in this direction also have been internationally appreciated as is seen from the awards received by authorities in the case of Chilika and Bhitaranika, he said.
Chairperson of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority Dr S Nagarajan said the Biodiversity Protection Act 2002 enacted by the Government of India recognises the farmer as an enhancer, conservator and cultivator, and an effective model needs to be put in place to ensure that the benefit of plant protection must flow to the community that manages it. The Act has stipulated that part of the commercial benefit that accrues from any variety registered under the Act would go to the Gene Fund and that in turn would be used to reward the community that maintains that variety.
OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof DP Ray, in his welcome speech earlier, observed that the impact of climate change would be sweeping and unpredictable. Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout hoped that the daylong deliberation by experts would help chalk out a path for effective management of the wealth of biodiversity of the State.
State Environment and Forest Secretary UN Behera mentioned the steps the State has taken in preserving biodiversity.
