ICLEI South Asia has completed the preparation of the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) for Ichalkaranji in the state of Maharashtra, India. The process involved detailed biodiversity surveys, mapping of natural assets on the GIS platform, focus group discussions and key personnel interviews with knowledge holders to document the biodiversity wealth, along with the traditional ecological knowledge. Detailed photographic documentation has also been carried out.
The project team made a presentation on the detailed findings of the PBR to the Ichalkaranji city council and the officials of the municipal council , who appreciated the work. The PBR is a legal document and every local body in India is mandated to prepare it in accordance with the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The register helps to protect intellectual property rights and forms the basis for implementation of access and benefit-sharing mechanisms.