Biodiversity, Conservation to Innovation
Evolution is meaningful when it is inclusive. Upgrading lifestyle at the cost of environmental degradation is no progress. Human progress is not just about advancement in technology and gadgets. It is essential to ensure the transformation is holistic and well-integrated with every element that affects us.
As per WHO, Climate and environmental change impact many aspects of life that are inextricably linked to health – food security, economic livelihoods, air safety, and water and sanitation systems. The organization estimates that 12.6 million people die each year as a result of living or working in unhealthy environments. And one of the major contributors to climate change is the loss of biodiversity. Intriguingly, empirical studies on various diseases that affect humans, wildlife, livestock, or plants proved that increase in epidemics and the risk of disease emergence are associated with decreased biodiversity. Deforestation and agricultural intensification increase contacts between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, favouring the spread of zoonotic diseases.
Amplified by the pandemic, 2 critical points that surfaced were (a) biodiversity is immensely contributing to human health, and (b) there is a clear shift in the healthcare models that are progressing towards preventive healthcare and nature-based options. Ironically, both these aspects have one thing in common which is the use of biological resources.
Post the 1992 convention on biological diversity, most of the participating countries ratified the treaty and in India, Bio-diversity Act 2002 came into force. Since the implementation of the Act in 2003, the ecosystem has changed significantly and the need is to work towards striking a balance between conservation as well as research and innovation. India’s rich biological heritage coexists with over 1.2 billion people and about one-sixth of the world’s livestock population. Solutions to protect this heritage lie in specific, accommodative, and collaborative efforts.
• Providing context-specific measures is necessary and hence, policymakers will have to have an in-depth understanding of the ecosystem. Biodiversity loss diminishes the supplies of raw materials for drug discovery and biotechnology, causes a loss of medical models, affects the spread of human diseases, and threatens food production and water quality. Its reduction has direct effects on the discovery of potential medicines. To address the threats to the long-term future of biodiversity, including man, a more interdisciplinary approach to problems is required. A panel consisting of various research experts (like ecologists, conservation biologists, veterinarians, epidemiologists, virologists, human health professionals, and related industry specialists) is a must to prepare the biodiversity conservation blueprint. Even leading Industrialists should be involved as they need to play an active role in these efforts. Making all constituents an equal stakeholder is the only way we can build a common agenda and align ourselves to achieve such goals.
• Striking a balance between ecology and enterprise is extremely important. An accommodative approach is hence critical while laying out the guidelines. There are industries like nutraceuticals, helping in preserving and expanding the cultivation of the endangered species. Instead of encouraging such industries to cultivate more, industry players are getting penalized by way of double taxation and levies. The Act needs to distinctly identify and exclude such industries or include specific clauses that incentivize further cultivation and production of natural resources. Additionally, laws addressing the concern, whether directly or indirectly, will have to talk to each other to make sure there is no escape and loopholes for the infringers either.
• Joining the forces is vital to influence the actions. Assessment and monitoring of the status and trends of biodiversity for food and agriculture at national, regional, and global levels are uneven and often limited. While declining trends are clear, lack of data often constrains the planning and prioritization of effective remedial measures. At times the complexity and ambiguity in regulations also hinder research activities limiting the potency of efforts. A structured framework and collaborative actions are a must to discourage exploitation and encourage innovations.
Along with a systematic and inclusive approach to bio-diversity, execution and implementation will play a pivotal role. In my opinion, policymakers and associations should lead in formulating the guidelines to channelize the efforts, and public-private partnership (PPP) model should be the way for organized and efficient implementation. An integrated approach with seamless execution is the only way out for the harmonious evolution.
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