By Bijishna T.K., Land and Healthcare, Project Implementation Coordinator, Community Wellbeing
The updated edition of the Biodiversity Register of Edavaka Grama Panchayath of Wayanad district was released this month. This is the second edition of the book, with the first edition released in 2009. Edavaka Grama Panchayath was the first Grama Panchayath to release the Biodiversity Register in Keralam. The Biodiversity Register was later released in other districts based on this.
The register contains comprehensive information and an availability of knowledge about animals, birds, butterflies, plants, trees, herbs, fruits, agricultural and commercial crops, as well as the rituals, medicinal, traditional, and local knowledge associated with them. The book can be used to identify the unique biodiversity of the area like sacred groves, Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) species, and which biological resources are available for commercial use for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). The primary purpose of this register is to promote the conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biodiversity in the Edavaka Grama Panchayath. The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) is responsible for preparing the people’s biodiversity register in collaboration with the local people.
Keystone Foundation helped the BMC, local people from this area, and other organisations to draft the Register. The Grama Panchayath and BMC appreciate the involvement and efforts taken by Keystone Foundation in preparing the Register. Saneesh, Rakesh, Ayoob, Kavyanjali and Bijishna of Keystone’s Wayanad team participated in the of the program.
