What is a People’s Biodiversity Register?
A People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) is a documented record of local biological resources, their uses, and the traditional knowledge associated with them. It is mandated under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which aims to conserve biodiversity, promote its sustainable use, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
Who prepares it
PBRs are prepared by Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) constituted at the local self-government level. A BMC has a chairperson and up to six nominated members, with mandatory representation of women (at least one-third) and of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Students, teachers, NGOs and citizen scientists often assist the documentation.
What it documents
- Inventories of local flora and fauna
- Landscape and demographic information
- Traditional and medicinal uses of species
- Traditional practices of resource use and management
Preparation and updating
Documentation combines community consultation with field surveys and secondary data. Crucially, a PBR is meant to be a living document — the guidelines call for it to be verified and periodically updated. In practice many registers are prepared once and never revised; regular updating keeps the record accurate and strengthens both conservation and the community’s claim over its traditional knowledge.
Key takeaways
- Mandated by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Prepared by local Biodiversity Management Committees
- Records species, uses and associated traditional knowledge
- Must be verified and periodically updated to stay useful