Why in News: Odisha has begun the process to declare the Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam district as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, recognising its global importance as a major nesting ground for Olive Ridley sea turtles and a lifeline for local communities.
Rushikulya rookery: a unique coastal ecosystem
The Rushikulya rookery stretches for about 10 km from New Podampeta to Agasti Nuagaon along the river mouth and adjoining sea beach in Ganjam district. It is recognised as one of the world’s major mass nesting, or Arribada, sites where thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs every year. This fragile coastal belt also supports migratory and resident birds, diverse plant species and a rich estuarine environment.
The surrounding Prayagi reserve forest, spread over nearly 415 hectares near the sea mouth, further enhances the ecological value of the landscape. This forest harbouring many native and medicinal plants links the marine and terrestrial habitats, creating a mosaic of biodiversity that is rare along India’s eastern coast.
Why biodiversity heritage status matters
The Odisha government, through the Odisha Biodiversity Board, has initiated the process to confer Biodiversity Heritage Site status on around 747 hectares in and around the rookery under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Scientists and researchers have already conducted a preliminary survey along the river mouth and sea beach after the Berhampur forest division submitted a formal proposal. This move signals a policy-level commitment to long-term protection of the rookery’s ecology and its associated cultural landscape.
Confluence of nature, culture and faith
Rushikulya is not only an ecological asset but also a cultural and spiritual space. The river is closely associated with local rituals, festivals and traditional practices that have evolved around its seasonal rhythms and natural cycles. Near the river mouth stands the Bateswar Temple, which embodies a convergence of sacred ecology and cultural heritage amid a biodiverse landscape.
What are Biodiversity Heritage Sites ?
Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) are unique, ecologically fragile, and biodiversity-rich areas—terrestrial, coastal, or inland waters—designated under Section 37 of India’s Biological Diversity Act, 2002. They harbor rare, threatened species and high endemism, emphasizing conservation without restricting local community usage
Key Features of Biodiversity Heritage Sites:
- Designation: Declared by State Governments in consultation with local bodies (Panchayats/BMCs).
- Significance: These sites often contain high species richness, wild ancestors of cultivated plants, and significant cultural/aesthetic values.
- Purpose: To enhance the quality of life of local communities and preserve unique ecosystems.
- Notable Examples in India:
- Nallur Tamarind Grove (Karnataka): India’s first BHS (2007), known for ancient tamarind trees.
- Majuli Island (Assam): Largest river island with unique aquatic/terrestrial biodiversity.
- Aravalli Biodiversity Park (Haryana): Urban green space.
- Chilika Lake (Odisha): Major habitat for migratory birds.
- Gupteswar Forest (Odisha): Rich in biodiversity and sacred groves.
- Ambaragudda (Karnataka): Features rare Shola vegetation.
Biodiversity Heritage Sites of India:
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Rushikulya Rookery:
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It is located in the Ganjam district of Odisha and is globally recognized as an Arribada site for Olive Ridley sea turtles.
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The rookery is situated at the mouth of the Mahanadi River, supporting a rich estuarine environment.
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The ecosystem’s ecological value is further enhanced by the adjoining Prayagi reserve forest, which connects marine and terrestrial habitats.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Q2. With reference to ‘Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)’ in India, consider the following statements:
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They are notified by the Central Government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
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The designation of a BHS restricts all traditional resource usage by local communities to ensure absolute conservation of threatened species.
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India’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site was declared in Karnataka.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None
Q3. Consider the following pairs of Biodiversity Heritage Sites and their key features/locations:
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Ambaragudda : Rare Shola vegetation
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Majuli Island : Largest river island located in West Bengal
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Nallur Tamarind Grove : Ancient trees and India’s first BHS
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the pairs
Q4. Consider the following statements:
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Statement-I: State Governments have the authority to unilaterally declare any ecologically fragile area as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) for immediate conservation.
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Statement-II: The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 mandates consultation with local bodies, such as Panchayats or Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), before designating a BHS.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
Answer Key and Explanations
Ans 1. (b) 1 and 3 only
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Statement 1 is correct: The passage states the Rushikulya rookery is in the Ganjam district and is a major mass nesting (Arribada) site for Olive Ridley turtles.
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Statement 2 is incorrect: It is located along the Rushikulya river mouth, not the Mahanadi river.
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Statement 3 is correct: The text mentions the surrounding Prayagi reserve forest links the marine and terrestrial habitats.
Ans 2. (b) 3 only
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Statement 1 is incorrect: BHS are designated under Section 37 of India’s Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (not the EPA, 1986) by State Governments (not the Central Government).
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Statement 2 is incorrect: The passage explicitly notes that BHS designation emphasizes conservation without restricting local community usage.
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Statement 3 is correct: Nallur Tamarind Grove in Karnataka was India’s first BHS, declared in 2007.
Ans 3. (b) Only two pairs
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Pair 1 is correctly matched: Ambaragudda (Karnataka) features rare Shola vegetation.
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Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Majuli Island is the largest river island, but it is located in Assam, not West Bengal.
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Pair 3 is correctly matched: Nallur Tamarind Grove is known for its ancient tamarind trees and was the first BHS.
Ans 4. (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
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Statement-I is incorrect: State Governments cannot declare these sites “unilaterally.” They must do so in consultation with local bodies.
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Statement-II is correct: Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 requires the State Government to consult with local bodies like Panchayats/BMCs before making the declaration.
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In a diverse country like India, where each State is socially, culturally, economically, and politically distinct, measuring Governance becomes increasingly tricky. The Public Affairs Index (PAI 2021) is a scientifically rigorous, data-based framework that measures the quality of governance at the Sub-national level and ranks the States and Union Territories (UTs) of India on a Composite Index (CI).
States are classified into two categories – Large and Small – using population as the criteria.
In PAI 2021, PAC defined three significant pillars that embody Governance – Growth, Equity, and Sustainability. Each of the three Pillars is circumscribed by five governance praxis Themes.
The themes include – Voice and Accountability, Government Effectiveness, Rule of Law, Regulatory Quality and Control of Corruption.
At the bottom of the pyramid, 43 component indicators are mapped to 14 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are relevant to the States and UTs.
This forms the foundation of the conceptual framework of PAI 2021. The choice of the 43 indicators that go into the calculation of the CI were dictated by the objective of uncovering the complexity and multidimensional character of development governance
The Equity Principle
The Equity Pillar of the PAI 2021 Index analyses the inclusiveness impact at the Sub-national level in the country; inclusiveness in terms of the welfare of a society that depends primarily on establishing that all people feel that they have a say in the governance and are not excluded from the mainstream policy framework.
This requires all individuals and communities, but particularly the most vulnerable, to have an opportunity to improve or maintain their wellbeing. This chapter of PAI 2021 reflects the performance of States and UTs during the pandemic and questions the governance infrastructure in the country, analysing the effectiveness of schemes and the general livelihood of the people in terms of Equity.
Growth and its Discontents
Growth in its multidimensional form encompasses the essence of access to and the availability and optimal utilisation of resources. By resources, PAI 2021 refer to human resources, infrastructure and the budgetary allocations. Capacity building of an economy cannot take place if all the key players of growth do not drive development. The multiplier effects of better health care, improved educational outcomes, increased capital accumulation and lower unemployment levels contribute magnificently in the growth and development of the States.
The Pursuit Of Sustainability
The Sustainability Pillar analyses the access to and usage of resources that has an impact on environment, economy and humankind. The Pillar subsumes two themes and uses seven indicators to measure the effectiveness of government efforts with regards to Sustainability.
The Curious Case Of The Delta
The Delta Analysis presents the results on the State performance on year-on-year improvement. The rankings are measured as the Delta value over the last five to 10 years of data available for 12 Key Development Indicators (KDI). In PAI 2021, 12 indicators across the three Pillars of Equity (five indicators), Growth (five indicators) and Sustainability (two indicators). These KDIs are the outcome indicators crucial to assess Human Development. The Performance in the Delta Analysis is then compared to the Overall PAI 2021 Index.
Key Findings:-
In the Scheme of Things
The Scheme Analysis adds an additional dimension to ranking of the States on their governance. It attempts to complement the Governance Model by trying to understand the developmental activities undertaken by State Governments in the form of schemes. It also tries to understand whether better performance of States in schemes reflect in better governance.
The Centrally Sponsored schemes that were analysed are National Health Mission (NHM), Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services scheme (ICDS), Mahatma Gandh National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SmSA) and MidDay Meal Scheme (MDMS).
National Health Mission (NHM)
INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (ICDS)
MID- DAY MEAL SCHEME (MDMS)
SAMAGRA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN (SMSA)
MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME (MGNREGS)