Context:
Ministry of Coal and Mines Cancels Auction of Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Mineral Block in order to conserve the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site.
Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS):
- Specific areas recognized for their unique and ecologically fragile ecosystems, which may include one or more significant components.
- Dealt under – Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA)
- Notified by – State Governments, in consultation with local bodies
- Additionally, State Governments, in consultation with the Central Government, can frame rules for the management and conservation of BHS.
- Managed by – Biodiversity Management Committees (Or other appropriate institutions as determined by the relevant local body in the absence of BMCs)
- According to the BDA, 2002, every local body in the state must constitute a BMC within its area to promote conservation, sustainable use, and documentation of biological diversity.
- Monitoring – State-level Monitoring Committees are constituted by the State Biodiversity Board.
- Regulations – Generally, no restrictions are placed on the community regarding prevailing practices and the utilization of resources from the proposed BHS.
- 1st BHS in India – Nallur Tamarind Grove, Karnataka (2007).
- Current Status – As of December 2024, there are 47 BHS in India.
Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage:
- Location – Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu’s 1st BHS
- Features – Megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, 2,200-year-old rock-cut temples
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.
2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.
3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is not correct:
The TEEB study was launched by Germany and the European Commission in response to a proposal by the G8+5 Environment Ministers in Potsdam, Germany in 2007
