Committee to Implement Biodiversity Act: Key Insights
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the state government to set up a committee to implement the Biodiversity Act, 2002. |
| Trigger | Suo motu cognisance of a report on protests by tribals against the translocation of Baobab trees by a Hyderabad businessman. |
| Key Points | - Baobab trees have historical and heritage value, likely brought to Madhya Pradesh by African soldiers between the 10th and 17th century.- Forest department stripped of power to permit translocation; only State Biodiversity Board can do so. |
| Biological Diversity Act, 2002 | Enacted in 2002; aims at conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits of biological resources with local communities. |
| Baobab Trees | - Type: Deciduous trees, 5-20 meters in height.- Native to mainland Africa; one of nine species.- Found in African Savannah, a tropical grassland with warm temperatures and seasonal rainfall.- Known as "Tree of Life" for storing water in its trunk and producing nutrient-rich fruit in dry seasons. |