The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established by an Act
of ... process is through self-instructional learning materials, based on the credit ...
An IGNOU initiative for our Sustainable Future
Page
Chair for Sustainable Development (CSD) INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068, India
1
Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity
“Activities that devastate the environmnet and societies continue unabated.Today we are faced with challenge that calls for a shift in our thinking,so that humanity stops threatning its life support system.We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process hael our own-indeed,to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity,beauty and wonder.This will happen if we see the need to revieve our sence of belonging to a larger family of life which we have shared our evolutionary process” Wangari Maathai 2005 Nobel peace Prize Accepetence speech
Page
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1985 to broad-base the reach of education and provides cost-effective and quality learning facilities to large sections of our population, including those living in remote and far-flung areas. Today, it serves the educational aspirations of about 2.6 million students in India and about 36 other countries. IGNOU imparts the study programmes through 21 Schools of Study, with a network of 62 regional centers, more than 3000 study centers /telelearning centers and around 60 overseas centers. The University offers need based academic programmes, including professional, vocational and general awareness programmes to the seekers. Most of these programmes have been created to fulfill the learners’ need for: acquisition of academic and professional qualifications; continuing education and professional development at the work-place; and skill-enhancement The methodology of instruction in the University is learner-centric. The teaching-learning process is through self-instructional learning materials, based on the credit system. The selfstudy is aided by the support facilities provided at study centres throughout the country. The Virtual Class provides an e-learning platform to deliver online programmes of the University. The online platform is a complete virtual learning environment suite covering all activities from registration to certification. IGNOU offers 350 Certificate, Diploma, Degree and Doctoral programmes comprising around 1,600 courses. These are supported by faculty members and academic staff at the headquarters and Regional Centres. The academic counsellors drawn from conventional institutions of higher learning, and professionals from various organizations also give the necessary back-up. As of now, IGNOU has about 700 centres equipped with one-way video and two-way audio facility and more than 134 EduSat television based centers with interactive facility. The application of state-of-the-art ICTs has further helped in reaching out to the hitherto un-reached sections of the society. Access, quality and equity are IGNOU’s guiding principles. IGNOU is also actively involved in research, training, extension and capacity building activities. It also co-ordinates and monitors distance education system throughout the country in its capacity as an Apex Body christened as the “Distance Education Council”. It uses innovative technologies and methodologies and fosters convergence of existing systems of massive human resource required for promoting integrated national development and global
2
About IGNOU
understanding. To know more about the University please visit the website at http://www.ignou.ac.in.
Chair for Sustainable Development With the declaration of 2005-2014 as the decade of education for Sustainable Development by the United Nations, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) established in March 2007, a University level Chair, cutting across disciplines and schools, to develop and promote Education for Sustainable Development in India. Eminent agricultural scientist Professor M.S. Swaminathan is the Honorary Chair for Sustainable Development at IGNOU. He is among the most distinguished and internationally acclaimed leaders in agriculture and sustainable rural development. His original concepts and operationalisation of Agenda 21 in the nature of ever-green revolution, bio villages and village knowledge centers for technological and knowledge empowerment respectively of the rural women and men, have set models not only for India, but for most of the developing countries. Through the Honorary Chair, the IGNOU endeavors to enhance awareness among a wide spectrum of scientists, environmentalists, administrators, social scientists, policy makers and enlightened corporate sectors on the urgent and imperative need to put sustainability in the centre of all their endeavors. To know more about the Chair please visit the website at htm www.ignouonline.ac.in/save
Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity
Page
In April 2002, the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) committed themselves to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth. This target was subsequently endorsed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the United Nations General Assembly and was incorporated as a target under the Millennium Development Goals. At the 2010 10th Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in October in Nagoya, Japan, the Nagoya Protocol was adopted which reminds decision- makers that
3
Biodiversity provides building blocks for sustainable food, health and livelihood security systems. Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is a term used to describe the myriad life forms found on Earth. These are the legacy of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the activities of humans. Biodiversity manifests itself at three levels: species diversity which refers to the numbers and kinds of living organisms; genetic diversity which refers to genetic variation within species; and ecosystem diversity which denotes the variety of habitats, biological communities and ecological processes. The Convention on Biological Diversity is probably the most all-encompassing international agreement ever adopted. It seeks to conserve the diversity of life on Earth at all levels – genetic, population, species, habitat, and ecosystem – and to ensure that this diversity continues to maintain the life support systems of the biosphere overall. It recognizes that setting social and economic goals for the use of biological resources and the benefits derived from genetic resources is central to the process of sustainable development, and that this in turn will support conservation.
natural resources are not infinite and sets out a philosophy of sustainable use The conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and the eradication of extreme poverty are two of the main global challenges of our time. It has been recognized by the international community that these two challenges are intimately connected, and require a coordinated response. Biodiversity is Humankind’s Life Insurance: Biodiversity loss is rapid and ongoing. Over the last 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems faster and more extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history. Tropical forests, many wetlands and other natural habitats are shrinking in size. Species are going extinct at rates 1,000 times the background rates typical of Earth’s past. The direct causes of biodiversity loss, habitat change, and overexploitation, the introduction of invasive alien species, nutrient loading and climate change show no sign of abating. As biodiversity loss proceeds, our knowledge of its importance is growing. The world ecological footprint is currently double its biological capacity. By conserving and enhancing its natural resource base and using its resources sustainably we can improve the resource efficiency of its economy and reduce its dependence on natural resources. This course promotes an improved quality of life, sustainable use, the protection of natural resources and equitable economic prosperity.
Programme Objectives : The sustainable management of biodiversity is one of the most important challenges facing humanity; one that requires the active participation of dedicated professionals who are committed to the interdisciplinary nature of the subject. Our generation has the unenviable task of making hard, possibly irrevocable, decisions on natural resource, allocation and management issues at local, regional and international levels. In this context, the aim of this Appreciation programme is to provide a critical and conceptually sophisticated understanding of biodiversity science and the socio-economic, political, cultural and institutional environments within which management and policy decisions are made. 1. To promote awareness and capacity building for sustainable management of biodiversity for mainstreaming biodiversity into the daily lives of individuals, recreating the relationship between people and nature, securing the linkages between forests, rivers, and the sea and taking actions in a global context. 2. To facilitate a critical appreciation/understanding of the science underpinning biodiversity and will target the growing need for expertise in sustainable management of biodiversity in a changing climate and the need for mainstreaming these issues in the development planning and poverty reduction.
Page
4. To enable the professionals with innovative knowledge, skills and values in sustainable management of biodiversity through national and international level policies and action plans across the globe of and urgency of action to address ecosystems degradation and biodiversity loss.
4
3. To sensitize people to the issues around biodiversity, threats posed to it and will promote the conservation of species diversity, genetic diversity, and biological diversity of ecosystems.
5. To inculcate the virtues of biological diversity and the associated indigenous knowledge among the learners and empower them with equity principles which is the guiding force behind the sustainable management of biodiversity.
Duration The programme can be completed in a minimum period of one month and a maximum period of six months.
Medium of Instruction The Programme is offered in English
Eligibility Requirements The eligibility for joining this course would be a Graduation degree in any subject. The post graduate students, researchers, scientists, engineers, medical doctors, stake holders, policy makers, administrators, and other professionals with requisite educational qualifications will be given preference.
Credit System The Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity is of four credits. One credit involves 30 hours of study by the students. Thus, for completing this Programme a student has to put in 120 hours of study.
Programme Structure The programme is of one month duration and consists of four blocks. BLOCK-1
-
BIODIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE
BLOCK-2
-
AGROBIODIVERSITY
BLOCK-3
-
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
BLOCK-4
-
SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY
Page
BLOCK -2- AGROBIODIVERSITY Unit-1:- What is Agrobiodiversity? Unit-2: Plant Genetic Resources Unit-3:- Animal Genetic Resources Unit-4:- Agrobiodiversity and Food Security
5
BLOCK-1:- BIODIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE Unit 1:- Basic Concept of Biodiversity Unit-2:- Global Distribution of Biodiversity and Biodiversity Hotspots Unit-3:- Biodiversity in India Unit 4:- Forest Biological Diversity
BLOCK -3 THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY Unit -1:- Extent of Biodiversity Loss Unit -2:-Biodiversity Threats Unit-3:- The Indian Scenario Unit-4:- Protected Areas and Countering Biodiversity Loss BLOCK-4- SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY Unit-1:- Management and Sustainable use of Biodiversity Unit-2:- International and National Instruments Relating to Biodiversity Management Unit-3:- Gender and Biodiversity in India Unit-4:- Conservation Measures of Biodiversity
Evaluation System The programme shall have three components for evaluation: S. No
Component
Weight age
1.
Continuous assessment through assignments
30%
2.
Term end Examination
70%
3.
Project work
Satisfactory Report
Counseling There shall be around 5-6 counselling sessions of one hour duration each.
Fee Structure The fee for the programme is Rs. 600/Facility for online payment is available through the payment gateway (Union Bank & Credit Card) being offered by the University for online programmes. Student can also pay through Demand Draft (in favour of IGNOU, New Delhi).
Project Work The purpose is to provide an opportunity to the students to apply the knowledge they have acquired in course of study on scientific principles and technological methods underpinning the concept and pathways of sustainable management of biodiversity. The students may take project work on any of the themes studied taking into account local field conditions.
Online Platform
Page
1. Walk in admission: Admission will be available throughout the year. There shall be four cycles in an academic year i.e. March, June, September and
6
The Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity shall be available online on the SAVE (Sustainable Action and Virtual Education) Platform. It is a complete virtual learning environment suite covering all the activities from registration to Programme Delivery.. The following features shall be available to the registered students.
2.
3. 4. 5.
December. The two months period between the two cycles shall be used for advertisement and registration of the students for the next cycle. Registration form shall be specially devised with the facility of uploading scanned certificates, other required documents and photograph. Registration will be confirmed only after verification of the certificates and payment of the required admission fee. Integrated multimedia courseware: Once registered, learners will have access to personalized learning space (My Page). This includes self instructional material, related audio/video, slides, self check exercises, etc. weaved in one platform. Online Counseling and mentoring: Web cast based counseling integrated with text based chatting facility shall be used for counseling purposes. Online Project Platform: Templates shall be made available for synopsis submission, project uploading and evaluation. Online Term End Examination: Online examinations will be conducted in specified centers.
The Convention on Biological Diversity The Convention on Biological Diversity is one of the three "Rio Conventions", emerging from the UN Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. There are currently 193 Parties to the Convention (192 countries and the European Union). The Convention came into force at the end of 1993, with the following objectives: "The conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding."
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity
Page
7
The United Nations General Assembly declared the period from 2011 – 2020 to be the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity. The Decade will be a vehicle to support and promote implementation of the objectives of the Strategic Plan and will seek to promote the involvement of a variety of national and intergovernmental actors and other stakeholders in the goal of mainstreaming biodiversity into broader development planning and economic activities.
Course Contributors Advisors: 1. Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Honorary Chair and Advisor to the Programme 2. Dr. M.K.Salooja, Executive Director, CSD Honorary Programme coordinatorDr. Suman Sahai, Gene Campaign Expert Committee Members 1. Prof. P.C. Kesavan, Emeritus Professor, CSD 2. Dr.R.S.Rana, Former Director, NBPGR 3. Prof. K.S. Rao, Dep.of Botany, University of Delhi 4. Prof. M.K. Salooja, Executive Director, CSD 5. Dr. N.A.Farooquee, SOED, IGNOU 6. Dr. Y.S.C. Khuman, Assistant Professor, CSD
Unit writers/Editors: 1. Dr. Suman Sahai, Gene Campaign 2. Dr.R.S.Rana, Former Director, NBPGR 3. Prof. K.S. Rao, Dept.of Botany, University of Delhi 4. Dr. Sanjeev Saxena, Principal Scientist, IPR, Unit, ICAR Pusa 5. Dr. Jaswant Sokhi, Reader, School of Science, IGNOU 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Faculty: Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Honorary Chair, CSD Prof. M.K. Salooja, Executive Director, CSD Prof. P.C. Kesavan, Emeritus Professor, CSD Dr. Boyina Rupini, Associate Professor, CSD
Dr. Shachi Shah, Associate Professor, CSD Dr. Sushmitha Baskar, Assistant Professor, CSD Dr. Y.S.C. Khuman, Assistant Professor, CSD Dr. V. Venkat Ramanan, Assistant Professor, CSD Dr. Deeksha Dave, Assistant Professor, CSD
Page
8
Programme Co-ordinator: Dr. Shachi Shah, Associate Professor, CSD
For further information kindly contact: Executive Director, Chair for Sustainable Development, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068. Phone No.: 29534185
INSPIRING CHANGE ENHANCING VALUE
Programme Coordinator Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity
Chair for Sustainable Development, IGNOU, Block-1, Room No. 21, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068. Email:
[email protected] Phone No.: 29571104, 29571121/22
Page
9
IGNOU webpage: www.ignou.ac.in, www.ignouonline.ac.in/save
