Biodiversity Action Plan approved

New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today approved the modified National Biodiversity Action Plan to augment natural resource base and its sustainable utilisation.

The Plan draws from the principles of National Environment Policy, and incorporates suggestions made by a consultative committee, Minister of State in the PMO Prithiraj Chavan told reporters after the Cabinet approval.

The salient features of the Plan are: -- The strengthening and integration of in situ, on-farm and ex situ conservation.

-- Regulation of vulnerability and adaption to climate change desertification.

-- Development and integration of biodiversity data bases.

-- Pollution impacts.

-- Building of national capacities for biodiversity conservation and management.

-- Valuation of goods and services provided by biodiversity, and in this context, the use of economic instruments in decision-making process.

-- International cooperation.

UNI YJ RL DS1417