CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF BIODIVERSITY: AN ANALYTICAL VIEW OF INTERNATIONAL AND INDIAN LAW

Biodiversity is the name given to the variety of different life-forms on the Earth and includes genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Thus, the various biological resources found on the earth can be collectively termed as biodiversity or biological diversity. These different resources have been a source of raw materials including food and nutrition and provide assistance to the needs of human beings in many ways. The protection and conservation of biodiversity is of utmost importance as it is a reservoir for providing various essential items for the existence of human beings and other living organisms. At international level, the international community developed several treaties and other instruments for dealing with biodiversity conservation. Influenced by the international development, several legislations were adopted by Indian government to deal with different components of biodiversity. All these together forms part of regulatory framework for the conservation and management of biodiversity. This article describes the various frameworks available at international and regional level as well as in India to ensure the effective conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.