Telangana has become the first state in India to release the Telangana State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (TSBAP) for the years 2023-2030. This plan incorporates the key factors discussed during the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) held in December 2022. The TSBAP focuses on sustainable use of bio resources and ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits. It aligns with national policies and international conventions, and involved collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), important departments, and stakeholders in the state. The plan was prepared by the Telangana State Biodiversity Board (TSDB) and the Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS), Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).
During the launch event, C Achalender Reddy, Chairperson of NBA, emphasized that this is the first time a structured and planned approach is being taken for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and benefit sharing. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act of 2023 states that state governments should create plans for sustainable use of biodiversity within their respective states. However, Telangana started working on this even before the amendment was introduced.
The TSBAP also highlights the need for developing resource sharing mechanisms using access benefit sharing to optimize the use of bio resources. It suggests measures to promote biodiversity conservation through corporate social responsibility activities of public sector units and private sector companies.
Dr Rajat Kumar, Special Chief Secretary of Environment, Science, and Technology and Chairman of TSDB, expressed concern about the threats to biodiversity due to increasing human needs. He mentioned that while humans used to utilize only 8% of the earth’s resources in the past, today they exploit a staggering 43%, endangering all forms of life. Dr Rajat Kumar also mentioned the partnership with the UNDP to explore agricultural products with medicinal and nutritional benefits but lack commercial value. This partnership will involve the development of marketing strategies, documentation, training, and capacity building.
During the event, Suneel Padale from UNDP, Professor M Vijjulatha from Telangana MahilaVishwavidyalayam, Koti, Hyderabad, and Dr Valli Manickam from CIPS provided an overview of the plan.
