Why in News?
Adjacent to the Gupteswar Shiva temple in Odisha’s Koraput district, the unspoiled Gupteswar Forest has been officially designated as the state’s fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
What are the key aspects associated with Gupteshwar Forest?
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Area and Significance:
- Encompassing a demarcated area of 350 hectares, the forest holds profound cultural importance, particularly through its sacred groves, which have been traditionally revered by the local community.
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Diversity of Flora and Fauna:
- Gupteshwar Forest hosts an impressive array of flora and fauna, boasting a diverse ecosystem. It serves as a habitat for a staggering 608 faunal species, including 28 mammal species.
- Noteworthy species documented within the forest include the mugger crocodile, kanger valley rock gecko, sacred Grove Bush Frog, and various avifauna such as black baza, Jerdon’s baza, Malabar trogon, common hill myna, white-bellied woodpecker, and banded bay cuckoo.
- The forest’s limestone caves provide shelter to eight bat species, two of which are categorized as near-threatened by the IUCN: Hipposideros galeritus and Rhinolophus rouxii.
- In terms of floral diversity, the forest is home to a wealth of plant species, including threatened medicinal plants like the Indian trumpet tree and Indian snakeroot.
What is a Biodiversity Heritage Site?
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Overview:
- Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) are carefully delineated areas recognized for their unique ecological significance.
- These sites typically represent ecologically fragile ecosystems characterized by a rich diversity of both wild and domesticated species, including rare and threatened species, as well as keystone species that play crucial roles in maintaining ecosystem balance.
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Legal Provision:
- Under Section 37(1) of ‘The Biological Diversity Act, 2002’, State Governments have the authority to designate areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
- This designation is typically done in consultation with local bodies, ensuring that the communities directly affected by the designation are involved in the decision-making process.
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Restrictions:
The creation of BHS does not impose restrictions on the prevailing practices and usages of local communities, unless those restrictions are voluntarily decided upon by the communities themselves. - The primary objective is to enhance the quality of life of local communities through conservation measures while safeguarding the ecological integrity of the designated sites.
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First BHS of India:
- Nallur Tamarind Grove in Bengaluru, Karnataka, holds the distinction of being India’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site, declared in 2007.
- This pioneering designation set the precedent for recognizing and preserving areas of ecological significance across the country.
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Recent Additions to BHS:
- India continues to expand its network of Biodiversity Heritage Sites, with notable additions in recent years.
- Some of the most recent additions include
- Haldir Char Island in West Bengal (May 2023),
- Birampur-Baguran Jalpai in West Bengal (May 2023),
- Tungkyong Dho in Sikkim (June 2023),
- Gandhamardan Hill in Odisha (March 2023),
- and Gupteswar Forest in Odisha (February 2024).
- These additions reflect India’s ongoing commitment to conserving its rich biodiversity and protecting critical ecosystems for future generations.
People Also ask
Q1: What criteria are considered when designating an area as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)?
Ans: Biodiversity Heritage Sites are selected based on several criteria, including their unique ecological characteristics, the presence of rare and threatened species, the diversity of wild and domesticated species, and the ecological fragility of the ecosystem.
Q2: How are local communities involved in the designation process of Biodiversity Heritage Sites?
Ans: Local communities play a crucial role in the designation process of BHS. They are consulted during the decision-making process, and their input is considered to ensure that the designation aligns with their cultural practices and livelihoods.
Q3: Which state houses the Gupteshwar forest, recently designated as the state’s fourth biodiversity heritage site?
Ans: Gupteshwar forest, positioned adjacent to the Gupteshwar Shiva temple within the Dhondrakhol reserve forest of the Jeypore forest division in Koraput district, Odisha, has been formally acknowledged as the state’s fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
