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Type: First / Record

  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    New Evergreen Tree Species Discovered in Kerala

    First / RecordPrelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in News?

    Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute discovered a new evergreen tree species, Humboldtia nairiana, in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.

    About the Species

    • Belongs to the genus Humboldtia
    • Found in riparian forests of the southern Western Ghats
    • Named in honour of plant biotechnologist G.M. Nair

    Discovery

    • First collected during a 2010 floristic survey along the Cheenikkala-Pandimotta forest trail
    • Seedlings were conserved ex-situ at the JNTBGRI Arboretum
    • Flowering and fruiting observed in 2022
    • Morphological studies confirmed it as a new species

    Distribution

    • Strictly endemic to Kerala
    • Known only from the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

    Conservation Status

    • Wild population is fragile and limited
    • Categorised as “Data Deficient” under IUCN criteria
    • Highlights need for habitat protection and field monitoring

    Ecological Importance

    • Adds to the biodiversity significance of the Western Ghats
    • Shows importance of riparian forest ecosystems
    • Strengthens conservation value of Agasthyamala region

    About Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

    • Part of the Western Ghats
    • UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve
    • Known for high endemism and rich biodiversity

    [2019] “Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries” are part of which of the following?

    [A] Agasthyamalai biosphere reserve

    [B] Nilgiri biosphere reserve

    [C] Seshachalam Hills

    [D] Panna biosphere reserve

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

     First National Report on the Nagoya Protocol on ABS

    First / RecordPrelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released insights from India’s first national report on the Nagoya Protocol related to Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), highlighting India’s progress in ensuring equitable sharing of benefits arising from biological resources.

    About the Nagoya Protocol

    • Adopted Under: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
    • Objective: To ensure Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

    What is Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)?

    • ABS means: Users of biological resources must share benefits with:
      • Local communities
      • Indigenous groups
      • Traditional knowledge holders
    • Benefits can include:
      • Monetary compensation
      • Technology transfer
      • Community development
      • Conservation support

    Key Findings of the Report

    • Large-Scale Implementation Between 2017 and 2025: 12,830 ABS approvals granted.
    • India’s Global Contribution
    • India issued:
      • 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs)
      • Around 60% of global issuance.
    • Revenue Generated: ₹216.31 crore realised by: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
    • Community Benefit: ₹139.69 crore disbursed to benefit claimers and local communities.

    [2023] Consider the following statements:
    1. In Biodiversity the India, Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
    2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 only

    [C] Both 1 and 2

    [D] Neither 1 nor 2

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