MSSRF - Biodiversity Conservation

• Research unit: SDC
• Project number: 7F-03000.01

Key words (English)

Biodiversity, natural resources management, livelihhods of rural poor, traditional know-ledge

Short description (English)

The escalating rate of erosion of biodiversity in India is a cause of grave concern. It de-prives millions of rural people, especially tribals, of their livelihhoods. The project endea-vours to respond to these trends through: revitalisation of in situ on-farm conservation traditions through quality seed production, farmer to farmer seed exchange systems and community seed banks, establishment of community biodiversity registers.

Project aims (English)

Promotion of biodiversity conservation. Improvement of rural livelihoods. Capacity buil-ding. Development of conducive policies.

Abstract (English)

Main results achieved so far can be summarised as follows:¨

Notable progress has been made in revitalizing in situ on-farm conservation traditions by organising quality seed production and strengthening the farmer-to-farmer seed exchange system for locally adapted land-races of paddy in Jeypore and Wayanad and minor millets in Kolli Hills. On-farm conservation of 98 paddy landraces with the help of self-help groups in Jeypore and promotion of Njavara rice (having medicinal properties) in Wayanad needs to be mentioned in particular.¨

In situ on-farm conservation of agro-biodiversity has been provided strong back up support by establishing 8 Community Seed Banks and also Community Seed Stores with suitable linkage to the Community Gene Bank at Chennai. The entire set up has been developed and managed by the self-help groups organized by villagers themselves with the technical assistance of project teams.

Four sacred groves have been successfully revived in Kolli Hills. Sacred native tree species have been propagated and established in these sites. Five Community Medicinal Plants Gardens have been established in Jeypore tract conserving over 260 species under protection of local deities.¨

Work on the preparation of Community Biodiversity Registers documenting useful local bio-resources, has made some progress in Kolli Hills and Wayanad.¨

Participatory genetic enhancement of land-races of paddy has made steady progress in Jeypore tract with rich germplasm collection, demonstration of yield trials and quality seed production to support a farmer-to-farmer seed exchange system.

A notable achievement has been the formation of 10 Self Help Groups in Kolli Hills, their recognition by the Bank of India and their quota-based direct marketing of minor millets in linkage with TRIFED (Tribal Federation for Marketing Development Corporation) after signing of a MoU.

Generally, work in the different sites has made an important contribution to stemming the erosion of agrobiodiversity. For example, in Kolli Hills, minor millets and legumes would have disappeared as a result of the expansion of pineapple and cassava cultivation, but for the work done under this project for finding markets for traditional, hereto little known, crops.

Transfer and application (English)

Locally adapted land races of paddy and minor millets. On-farm conservation of 98 paddy land races. Revival of four sacred groves.