Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHSs)

Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 has provision for the declaration of Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) in the state. Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHSs) are well defined areas specifically unique and fragile ecosystems in terms of biological and ecological significance. They may spread over terrestrial, aquatic, coastal and inland and marine ecosystems having rich biodiversity. The BHSs are endowed with wild as well as domesticated species, high endemism and occurrence of rare & threatened species, keystone species and species of evolutionary significance. As per Rule no. 20(2) of the Odisha Biological Diversity Rules, 2012, Odisha Biodiversity Board has notified the “Guidelines for the selection, management and other aspects of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Odisha” in the Extraordinary official Gazette of Odisha vide notification No. 2117 Cuttack, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017/MARGASIRA 15; 1939. Following the guidelines, the State Government has declared “Mandasaru” in Raikia Block of Phulbani Forest Division in Kandhamal district as the first “Biodiversity Heritage Site” of Odisha vide notification no. No. 10F (TR) 27/2019/5265/F & E dated 12.3.19, considering the richness of biodiversity, endemism of species and cultural coherence of the site. The Board has started study in Gupteswar of Koraput, Gandhamardan of Balangir, Pradhanpat of Deogarh and Mahendragiri of Gajpati districts towards declaration of BHS.

Glimses of Mandasaru Biodiversity Heritage Site

OTHER ACTIVITIES

• 1) Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) & Peoples' Biodiversity Registers (PBR)
• 2) Capacity Building
• 3) Research Projects
• 4) Awareness Activities and Workshops & Conference
• 5) Implementation of UNEP-GEF-MoEF-ABS Project
• 6) Biodiversity Resource Centre
• 7) Access and Benefit Sharing Provisions (ABS)