Biodiversity Register
Biodiversity Register
Biodiversity Register
Simplified Methodology
December 2008
PBR: METHODOLOGY
Part I
1.0 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 & Rules, 2004
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (No. 18 of 2003) was notified by Government of India on 5th February,
2003. The Act extends to the whole of India and reaffirms the sovereign rights of the state over its
biological resources. Subsequently the government of India published Biological diversity Rules, 2004 (15th
April, 2004). The Rules under section 22 states that ‘every local body shall constitute a Biodiversity
Management Committee (BMC’s) within its area of jurisdiction’.
People’s Biodiversity Registers and the role of State Biodiversity Board (SBB)
The State Biodiversity Board (SBB) would provide necessary training to the Technical Support Group
(TSG) of the district and enable smooth functioning and aid in networking for creation and maintenance of
People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs).
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People’s Biodiversity Registers and Role of the Technical Support Group (TSG)
The Technical Support Group (TSG) will consist of experts drawn from various disciplines and line
departments, universities, research institutes, colleges and schools and non-governmental organizations.
The Technical Support Group will provide technical inputs and advice to the BMCs on identification of
plants and animals, monitor and evaluate the PBR exercise, examine confidential information and advice
on legal protection, maintain a database of local and external experts on biodiversity
India is land of biological and cultural diversity. It is one of the ten-mega biodiverse countries of the world. It
also the home of a large number of tribal groups, pursing different kinds of nature based livelihoods. In
addition, a large number of farming and fishing communities and nomadic groups posses traditional
knowledge of varying degrees. The development of modern science and technologies notably
biotechnology and information technologies have increased the value of biodiversity and associated
knowledge including traditional knowledge (TK) .The growing importance of biodiversity, bio-resources and
associated knowledge is fairly well understood. The first step towards conservation r sustainable utilization
of biodiversity is its documentation. Biodiversity and associated knowledge is found in different ecosystems,
under different legal management regimes and hence the results and manner of documentation will also
differ.
The present manual guidelines have drafted taking into consideration different ecosystems and include the
rural urban and protected areas. The guidelines may be customized and further information may be added
to enrich the effort. It is important to keep in mind some of the issues related to PBRs:
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• It is to be undertaken in a participatory mode involving varying sections of village society.
• While documenting, the knowledge and views of both genders are to be recorded.
• Information provided by people need to be collated, analysed and crosschecked by the members of
the Technical Support Group (TSG) before documentation.
• The PBR is important base document in the legal arena as evidence of prior knowledge and hence
careful documentation is necessary.
• The document should be endorsed by the BMC and later publicized in the Gram Sabha / Gram
Panchayat / Panchayat Samiti. The document can be a very useful tool in the management and
sustainable use of diversity. The document can also be a very useful teaching tool for teaching
environmental studies at schools, colleges and university level
• The document should be periodically updated with additional and new information as and when
generate.
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Documentation includes photographs (including digital images), drawings, audio and video recordings and
other records like printed material.
Annexure 1
Details of Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of the panchayat (One elected Chairperson
and six persons nominated by the local body; not less than one third to be women and not less
than 18% belonging to SC/ST)
1) Name:
Age:
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Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
2) Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
3) Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
4) Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
5) Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
Annexure 2
List of Vaids, hakims and traditional health care (human and livestock) practitioners residing and or
using biological resources occurring within the jurisdiction of the village
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of Specialization:
Location from which the person accesses biological material:
Perception of the practitioner on the resource status:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of Specialization:
Location from which the person accesses biological material:
Perception of the practitioner on the resource status:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of Specialization:
Location from which the person accesses biological material:
Perception of the practitioner on the resource status:
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Annexure 3
List of individuals perceived by the villagers to possess Traditional Knowledge (TK) related to
biodiversity in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Area of specialization:
Annexure 4
Details of schools, colleges, departments, universities, government institutions, nongovernmental
organization and individuals involved in the preparation of the PBR
1) Contact Person
Name and Address:
2) Contact Person
Name and Address:
3) Contact Person
Name and Address:
4) Contact Person
Name and Address:
You may add names of more institutions / NGO / Individuals, etc. if necessary.
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Annexure 5
Details of access to biological resources and traditional knowledge granted, details of the
collection fee imposed and details of the benefits derived and the mode of their sharing
No Name and address of the Local and Scientific Name Date and resolution of the Details of Anticipated
Person /institution/ of the biological material BMC and endorsement by collection mode of sharing
company/ others Accessed and quantity the panchayat fee benefits or
imposed quantum of
benefits shared
End of Part I
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Part II
PBR – Formats
AGROBIODIVERSITY
Format 1: Crop Plants
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
Crop Scientific Local Variety Landscape Approx. Local Status Special Cropping Uses Associated Other Source of Community/
Name Name / Habitat area features season TK details Seeds/Plants Knowledge
Past Present
shown Holder
Rice Oryza Veliyan Lowland Plenty Rare Tall variety Food Provides Suitable for Kurichiya
sativa valleys High yield Fodder more “Valicha”
Resistant to Roofing energy cultivation Kuruma
drought, Fuel
flood, pest & W. Chetty
diseases
The format 1 could be used for documenting information about Millets, Cereals, Oil seeds, Commercial crops, Tuber crops, Vegetables, Legumes, Aromatic crops etc. The column No. 9
‘other details’ vary with the nature of crops. For measuring local status, there need to identify a particular year – significant changes in ecology occurred – and compare the status as past
and present (past = before the particular incident). We have to list out all possible features of a crop/plant and give short forms of the same. If relevant, cultivation practices, propagation
techniques, usage etc can be included in the column 8, in associated TK.
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Other details include fodder for which animal, special features, medicinal uses if any, seasons of availability, propagation methods, collecting from wild or cultivated etc.
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Format 4: Weeds
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Plant Scientific Local Affected Impact Landscape / Local Status Uses if Management Associated Other Community /
Name Name crop Habitat Past Present any options TK details Knowledge holder
Other details may include how long the weeds have been attacking the crops in this locality, when it came under notice, intensity of natural multiplication etc
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Format 7: Peoplescape
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Community Families & Sub- Depending Major resources Landscape Resource Cast / Social Nature of No. of
& Major occupation Landscape accessed and seasons management management tribe condition inhabitants HHs
Population occupation of access practices practices
Major occupation may be farming. Sub-occupations could be fishing, collection of NTFP animal husbandry, artisans, services
Examples of depending landscapes are agriculture landscape, rivers, forest etc.
Major resources accessed could be agriculture resources of different nature, fish, birds, water, mud, and etc
How the community manages the landscapes they use for satisfying different needs, their strategies and perception
How the community manages the resources they access for satisfying different needs, their strategies and perception, conflicts etc
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Format 8: Landscape
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Major Landscapes Sub - Features and Ownership General General User Management General Associated Other Community
Agricultural Pond Fallow
Landscapes approx. area flora fauna groups practices uses TK details accessed
land land
Provide a brief description of landscapes such as forests, plantations, cultivated land, estuary, pond, lake or other elements
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Format 9: Waterscape
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Waterscape Sub-type Features Ownership General General Major uses User Management General Associated Other Community
element and flora fauna groups practices uses TK details accessed
type approx
area
Examples: Ponds, Streams, Rivers, Lake, Canal, Tubewell, Dug well etc.,
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DOMESTICATED BIODIVERSITY
Format 11: Fruit Trees
1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Plant Local Scientific Variety Landscape/ Local Status Source of Season of Uses Associated Other details Community/ Know.
Type Name Name Habitat Past Present plant/seeds Fruiting (usage) TK market/own holder
use
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Note: Uses: Food/ Veterinary Medicine,/ Human Medicine (Sub-divisions like for children, women etc),/ Agricultural Purpose (Bio-pesticide)
Other details: Propagation methods, / Harvesting period,/ Cultivated or collected from wild or both,/ Perennial/annual/seasonal
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Note: Other details include mode of catching fish, time of availability, breeding time, feeds and etc
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Format 17: Markets / Fairs for Domesticated Animals, Medicinal Plants and other products
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Name of the Location Weekly / Day Month incase of bi- Types of animal Number of animals Places from where Places to where the
Weekly Market / Fortnightly & held annual or annual bought and sold (average) transacted in a the animals are animals are
Fair Others market fair day arrived transported
Bi-annual /
Annual
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WILD BIODIVERSITY
Format 18: Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, Tubers, Grasses, Climbers
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Plant Local Scientific Habit Habitat Local status Commercial / own Part Associated Other Community Knowledge
Type Name Name Past Present use collected TK details Holder
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Other details may include mode of catching fish, time of availability, breeding time, etc
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Note: Uses: Food/Veterinary Medicine/Human Medicine (Sub-divisions like for children, women etc)/Agricultural Purpose (Bio-pesticide)
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Note: Other details may include ‘function as a substitute plant’ in the absence of a particular plant
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Note: Other details include mode of catching fish, time of availability, breeding time, feeds and etc
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Format 29: Wild Animals (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibia, Insects, others)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Animal Local Scientific Habitat Description Season Local Status Uses Associated Mode of Hunting, Other Community/
Type Name Name when seen Past Present (if TK collecting (if any) details Knowledge Holder
any)
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URBAN BIODIVERSITY
Format 30: Flora
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Sr. No. Local Name Scientific Name Type of Plants Habitat Flowering Season Remarks (Rare / Common etc.)
Note: Separate format should be used for road side plantation / Parks and Gardens / Housing estate /
Commercial buildings/ other institutional areas, Private club premises and also for Aquatic (water) habitat and Terrestrial (land) habitat
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Note: Separate format should be used for road side plantation - habitat / Parks and Gardens / Housing estate /
Commercial buildings/ other institutional areas, Private club premises and also for Aquatic (water) habitat and Terrestrial (land) habitat
End of Part II
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Part III
Guide to Field Study
Profile of the Study Area
3.1 General Profile
Each study area has its own characteristics. The PBR is to include the general profile of the area
– its geographical location, district, block, gram panchayat, J.L no. from Mouza / Ward map,
altitude, latitude, longitude (whenever possible). The boundary of the study area and also its
connectivity should be additional point in the general profile.
An outlined socio-economic profile of the study area will help to understand people’s
dependency on the biological resources, either for internal use or for external supply. The
following information will be required to get the socio-economic profile:
• Population – to get the total population of the study area individual household survey is to be
carried out with reference to the following parameters.
• Drinking water – Source, Number (in case of dug well and tube well)
• Land holding
- Agricultural land – Upto 5 cottah,
5 cottah – 1 bigha,
1 – 5 bigha,
Above 5 bigha
(1 cottah – 720 sq.ft; 1 bigha – 14400 sq.ft)
• Occupation
- Agriculture
- Fisheries
- Animal husbandry
- Trading
- Manufacturing
- Other unorganized worker
- Organized worker
• Domesticated animals – number, types and breed (e.g., cow, goat, chicken, duck)
Special focus should be given to the more knowledgeable individual, men and women. During
the survey, the following format may be used for recoding of information of knowledgeable
individuals:
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Land and soil is a vital resource supporting biological diversity. Soil is not an inert substance. It
provides shelter to tiny microbial organisms like bacteria and fungi as also micro arthropods and
earthworms, not easily visible to naked eyes.
In order to understand land and soil, it is therefore essential to prepare a basic target area (urban,
non-forest rural, forest, mountain, coastal, island etc.) based land use map. To prepare such a
map one has to study the following:
(II) Roads
(V) Wetlands
a. Name, location, ownership, area and current uses of wetlands (Details are given
under Water Resource)
(VI) Rivers / Canals / Creeks – to understand the flowing water profile (if any)
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b. Current uses of river/canal water
(II) Wetlands
a. Name, location, ownership, area and current uses of wetlands in the village
(Details are given under Water Resource)
(VI) Roads
a. Location
b. Area
a. Location
b. Area
c. History
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d. Salient features
(II) Wetlands
a. Name, location, area and current uses of wetlands (Details are given under Water
Resource)
a. Location
b. Area
c. History
d. Salient features
a. Altitude
b. Slope
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(II) Land under Forest
(VI) Wetlands
a. Name, location, ownership, area and current uses of wetlands in the village
(Details are given under Water Resource)
(IX) Roads
a. Location
b. Area
a. Location
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b. Area
c. History
d. Salient features
a. Location
b. Length of coastline
c. Current uses:
i. Human habitation
ii. Area without habitation
iii. Coastal industries
iv. Coastal fisheries
v. Coastal forest
vi. Coastal agriculture
vii. Coastal road
viii. Coastal wetland
After studying the above, a Land Use Map is to be prepared on the basis of Mouza map to
Water is a vital resource sustaining life forms. Collect the information on ground water
(from dug well data and hand pump data) and surface water and document
a. Number of hand-pumps used for lifting drinking water and approx. depth of each
b. Number of shallow and deep tube wells used for irrigation – horsepower of motors
used for each, hours of operation per day
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2.0 Living Natural Resources
In every target area, diverse groups of animals can exist in tropical climates. These may
include animals without backbones (invertebrates) like earthworm, insects, spiders,
scorpions, mollusks etc., or animals with backbones like fishes, toads and frogs, snakes,
lizards, turtle, tortoises, birds and mammals (squirrels, rat, mole, civet cat, fox etc). Since
the animals occur at different period of time and season, they have to be observed both
seasonally and also diurnally (day and night). Some animals are best observed during
early morning (e.g., Birds) or at the dusk time (e.g., Bat) while others may be observed
before the day temperature increase (e.g. Butterflies). It has to be remembered that
animals inhabit different habitats viz., upper branches of the tree, grassland, banks of
river, deep foliage, holes in the tree trunk, under the bark, on the ground or underground.
It will be useful to select the best possible site for observation where diverse biological
species may be available. These may include the agricultural land, culturable fallow,
village orchards, village ponds, forest patch, canal side and roadside. A complete
information base can only emerge if year round, seasonal observations and recording is
carried out.
A brief outline of methods of observation for selected group of animals is given below:
Invertebrate animals can occur both in land and water in specific habitat condition (under the
stone, in rotten logs, in the flowers, on fruit trees, in bushes, in agricultural fields etc.). The
smallest invertebrate animal called protozoa (body with single cell) cannot be seen by naked eyes
but they may exist in soil, water even within the body of the human being or other animals.
Normally the visible animal species are recorded in PBR. These include:
2.1.1.1 Earthworms
Earthworms normally live in mineral rich soil. To observe and collect earthworm specimen:
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Insects comprise the largest number of living organisms in the world. So far nearly 8,50,000
species of insects have been documented in the world. Scientists believe this is only 4-5 percent
of the total insects species that may exist in today’s world; that means 95 percent of the insects
are yet to be described and named. Obviously, the largest numbers are expected from southern
tropical countries including India. So far only 6.5 percent of the insect species of the world have
been recorded from India. Out of 29 orders of insects, representatives of 27 orders have been
located in the country.
Usually insects are considered as enemies to the human society because they cause considerable
damage to the agricultural crop and many species can act as vectors and transmit pathogens
causing serious diseases in plants, animals and human being (Cholera, Malaria, Kala Azar,
Dengue are some of the insect borne diseases). On the other hand, a number of insects offer
useful services to the plant kingdom and to the human society as pollinators, as natural enemies
for pests, as providers of silk, honey, lac etc. Insects are the largest group of pollinators in the
natural world.
Spiders may occur in several forms. Spiders act as predators for many of the insects and provide
food to the higher animals like lizards and birds.
In general, the goods and services from insects and the spiders can be listed as follows:
Insects and spiders have jointed legs; the same character can also be seen in crustacean
(Prawn, Shrimp and Crabs), centipedes and millipedes. Insects have normally a pair of
antenna and an exoskeleton. Adult insects have three distinct parts – head, thorax and
abdomen. Insects have three pairs of legs and usually one or two pairs of wings. Male and
female insects may vary in colour, shape and size.
• Hand collection with a soft camel hair-brush (soft body insects) or with a pair of
forceps. Such insects are normally preserved in 70 percent alcohol in glass vial.
• Net collection – Butterflies and other flying insects can be collected with the help of
a specially prepared aerial net with a long handle or with a sweeping net attached to
a short handle.
• Traps – Insects can also be collected by setting up different types of traps, viz.,
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Firstly, it should be identified whether the collected specimen is insect or not. For this
following steps to be adopted:
Presence of two pairs of antennae and not less than five pairs of legs – crustacean
Presence of four pairs of legs and no antenna – arachnid
Presence of three pairs of legs and adult specimen possessing wings (except in some
cases like Springtails, Lice, Earwigs etc.) – insect
Insects are divided into 29 orders. The characteristics of most common insects are given below:
A. Odonata:
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B. Orthoptera
i. i. Two pairs of wings, fore wings are thin, hind wings are
large with cross veins
ii. Hind legs are thick and long, used for jumping
e.g. Grass hoppers, Crickets
C. Phasmida
D. Dictyoptera
e.g. Cockroaches
E. Mantodea
i. Two pairs of wings present
ii. Front legs adapted for catching insect preys
F. Isoptera
i. Soft body
ii. Wings are equal in size and with indistinct veins
iii. In some forms wings are absent.
iv. Winged insects normally comes out during rainy season.
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G. Thysanoptera
i. Small in size
ii. Pigmented body
iii. Thin wings with veins and hairs
e.g. Thrips
H. Heteroptera
e.g. Bug
I. Homoptera
i. Generally small insect
ii. Soft legs, two pairs of wings with cross veins
iii. Anterior part of head with sucking mouthparts
iv. Wing less insects are also found in some stage of life cycle
J. Coleoptera
i. Two pairs of wings, fore wings hard called elytra, hind wings
with cross veins
ii. Bright in colour
K. Hymenoptera
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L. Diptera
M. Lepidoptera
N. Thysanura
i. Small, wing less, soft body
ii. Whole body is covered with silvery hairs
O. Collembola
e.g. Springtail
2.1.1.3 Mollusk
Mollusks are represented by snails, mussels etc. They can be found in marshy areas as well as in
the high land. Observation place for mollusks may be marshy land, agricultural field during
monsoon, bund area of the field etc.
2.2.1 Fishes
Fishes can be found from small ponds, beels and rivers in the village. Fishes can be distinguished
based on the structure, scales, colour, size etc. A total of 2586 species of fishes have been
recorded from India.
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2.2.2 Amphibia
The group amphibian is represented by frogs, toads and newts. They are the cold blooded
animals. Night time is the best time to observe Amphibia. In India about 209 species of
amphibians have been recorded. Frogs and toads eat harmful insects of paddy field and therefore
beneficial for the human being.
Pit fall trap can be used near the water bodies or paddy field. The trapped specimen can
be collected and observed later on. Amphibia can also be collected by cloth nets and by
hand.
Species can be identified by the call of the Amphibia
2.2.3 Reptiles
Reptiles include snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles etc. Snakes may be poisonous or non-
poisonous. A total of 485 species of reptiles are found in our country. These animals can be
found during day time as well as night time.
at the selected sites by direct sighting (on trees, on ground, under stone, in crevices, near
water)
by the molt of the snakes
from the elderly people about the common reptiles found in the area
2.2.4 Birds
Birds are colorful feathered animals. The male and female birds can be easily distinguished as
the males are more colorful than females. Early morning and dusk time are the best for observing
birds. The call, colour, structure of wing, beak, legs etc. are important for observing a bird
species.
Birds can be observed at the places where insects, amphibia, reptiles etc are observed.
Select 50 m., long site. Imagine a circle of 10 m., radius at the two end points of the 50
m., long site.
Stand at the centre of the circle and observe the birds for 10-15 minutes.
Note the name of the known birds. Record major features of the unknown birds.
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2.2.5 Mammals
Mammals are placed at the highest level of animal kingdom. They are characterized as warm-
blooded animals with hairy body and by the presence of mammary glands. In India, a total of
372 species of mammals are found. The smell, call, foot-print, excreta etc., are important for
observing mammalian species. Generally most of the mammalian species come out during night.
Therefore for direct observation, night time is preferred. Indirect information may be collected
from their foot-print, call, habitat etc.
Domesticated animals include cow, buffalo, sheep, goat, poultry chicken, duck etc.
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3.1 Gymnosperms
Gymnosperms are non-flowering plant group and reproduces by spores. This group can be divide
into three sub-groups:
3.2 Angiosperms
These are the flowering plants and reproduce by seed. This group is further divided into two
groups:
a. When the seeds are open without any external coating. e.g. Pine, Cycas
b. When the seeds have outer seed coating. This may again be divided into two groups
called Monocot and Dicot. The first one having only one undivided seed, like rice and
wheat and the second one has got divided seed, like gram, mango etc.
3.2.1 Herbs:
3.2.2 Shrubs:
The plants larger than herbs but smaller than trees.
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Woody stem, medium height, branched. e.g. China rose,
3.2.3 Trees:
Plants with long, woody stem.
Branching out after a certain height from the ground. e.g. Mango, Banyan
a. Wild Plants:
Demarcate 50 m., long area
Demarcate five 10 m., X 10 m., quadrant, one at the middle of 50 m., length and two each
at the two sides of end two points
Write description of the site
Write down the uses of the plants especially medicinal use, abundance, and plants, which
were present and used in the earlier times but no longer available. this data can be
collected from the help of local villagers specially the elderly people.
Agricultural crops include cereals, pulses, vegetable, spices, oil seeds, fiber yielding plants, sugar
yielding plants, cultivated fruit and flowers, green manure etc.
[S=Summer; M=Monsoon; PM=Post Monsoon; W=Winter]
Paddy:
Paddy can be of many varieties, both indigenous as well as high yielding. Farmers are the best
source for getting the information regarding cultivation of rice varieties. The morphological
characters to be noted are:
Disease and pest resistance of plants may be observed directly by the rate incidence of pest
insects and diseases.
c. Horticultural Plants
This includes flowering and fruit-bearing plants like Mango, Guava, China Rose, Jasmine etc.
This type includes woody plants grown for timber. E.g. Teak, Mahogany etc.
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Herbarium sheets are important tools for identification of plants species. Specimen can be kept
for many years as herbarium sheet for future research. Herbarium sheets must be prepared in
case the plants cannot be identified at the site.
Procedure:
Collect the plant specimen with leaves, flower and fruit. The size of the specimen must
be 30 cm. x 20cm. Put necessary label with number, location, date of collection and name
of the collector.
Now write down these information in the notebook for future reference
Put the specimen in between two newspapers and place the leaves, flowers and fruit
properly
Put the specimen within the paper on a plain surface and place some weight on it
Change the newspaper as and when required for complete drying the specimen.
Place the dried specimen outdoor for sun-drying
Take a hard art paper of size 41.7 cm., X 26.5 cm. Place the dried specimen at the center
of the paper and glued or stitched it with the paper.
Put herbarium label at the lower right hand side of the herbarium sheet with information
like scientific name, family, location/place, date, collects name, altitude from msl etc.
This complete herbarium sheet can be preserved for many years with proper care.
In case the area in rich in medicinal plants, special focus is to be given to document the resources
and its current use pattern. Based on the results of the documentation the BMC will be in a
position to determine the resource potential, prospects of cultivation, sustainable use and trading.
The population in the study area may use different biological resources for religious and other
ritualistic purposes. In the rural areas, such materials are normally collected from nature but in
the urban areas such materials are traded through commercial stores.
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