The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) advocates parties to integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral or crosssectoral plans, programs, and policies through its Article 6 (b). The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (Aichi targets) and the proposed new global biodiversity framework recommends countries to mainstream biodiversity to reduce direct pressure and the loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity and agriculture are strongly interrelated, the conservation of plant and animal genetic resources plays a crucial role in India’s food, nutritional, livelihood, and economic security, hence it is important to mainstream biodiversity into the agriculture sector. The main purpose of this national consultative webinar is to foster partnership between the Public, Private, Primary and Production sectors for a great transformation in the current food and agricultural production system, which is popular amongst us as “4-C continuum” (conservation-cultivation-consumption commerce dimensions of biodiversity) that needs to be introduced as an integrated approach for the national biodiversity management framework. Despite, with an impressive conservation heritage and commitment to mainstreaming biodiversity in production sectors, it remains a business as usual process in plans, practices and budgets in India. As a result the erosion of biodiversity in the agricultural landscapes and vulnerabilities of small-holder farm community continue to be hard-hit and remain a neglected for long time. The effective use of biodiversity and ecosystem services, thus become urgent as it can improve the economy and help people to better adapt the adverse effects of climate change and avoid the economic and social vulnerabilities. The webinar will also help introduce the participants with activities planned in Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the Sustainable Development Goals Connections.

Opening Remarks :

Dr. V.B. Mathur Chairperson, National Biodiversity Authority

Dr K S Murali, Executive Director, MSSRF

Speakers :

 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Agriculture sector

Dr. Ajay Parida, Director, Institute of Life Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Odisha.

 Fostering Business opportunities in Bio-diverse Agriculture sectors

Dr. Krishna Kumar Former Director, Bioversity International, New Delhi

 Impediments in successful commercialization of Agricultural Technologies

Dr. Sudha Mysore Chief Executive Officer,Agri-innnovate India Limited, NASC complex, New Delhi.

Resources Mainstreaming for Food and Nutritional Security

Dr Sunil Archak Officer-in-charge, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi

Biodiversity in Real Estate Sector

Dr. Sunita Purushottam Head of Sustainability, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd, Pune, Maharashtra

Panel discussion and recommendations

 Moderators:

Dr. Anil Kumar, Senior Director, MSSRF

Dr. C. Thomson Jacob, Former Biodiversity Policy Consultant, (CEBPOL – NBA).

The workshop is being organized by the National Biodiversity Authority in collaboration with M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation. The expected audience includes scientists, researchers, farmers, agrobased industries, NGOs, SBB, & BMC

National Consultative Webinar Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83836433595?pwd=eWNqM3FzV0hzSVZmaWEwM2ttZ0lBdz09

Meeting ID: 838 3643 3595 Passcode: 711902