Andhra Pradesh: Biodiversity Heritage Sites proposals sent for approval

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APSBB) framed guidelines for notifying Biodiversity Heritage Sites and sent proposals for notification of Veerapuram & Timmamma Marrimanu as BHS to the government, according to S.B.L. Misra, chairman, APSBB. He was speaking at a state-level media workshop on biodiversity held in the city on Wednesday.

He said conservation of biological diversity, sustainable utilisation of its components, fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from utilisation of genetic resources are the main concepts of biodiversity. The objectives of the APSBB are to promote and safeguard the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources, which would be fulfilled through constituting Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at local bodies.

BMCs are statutory in nature and would work under the guidance of APSBB. “The BMCs would provide loans and grants to the local bodies, in the form of Local Biodiversity Fund, which should be used for the conservation and promotion of biodiversity. Regularisation of commercial utilisation of bio-resources is the important duty of BMCs," he added.

"BMCs have been constituted at ZP level, mandal parishad, gram panchayat, municipality and municipal Corporation levels. APSBB has constituted 4,070 BMCs till now," said Ramesh Kumar Suman, member secretary, APSBB. The state government has taken several initiatives like Neeru-Chettu, Vanam-Manam and ecotourism projects in protected areas giving emphasis to conservation of biodiversity, water, overall environment protection and development of bio-resources in AP.