Daily UPSC Current : 13 NOV 2026/Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) Species

INTEGRATED CONSERVATION, AGRO-TECHNOLOGY AND BIORESOURCE ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE TRIBAL LIVELIHOODS

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), launched a national initiative on 12 November 2026 to conserve medicinal plant biodiversity and promote sustainable livelihoods among tribal communities.

Key Features of the Initiative:

Duration: Three years.

Coverage: 16 tribal hotspots across 13 States/UTs.

Medicinal Plant Conservation: Documentation of 200–300 medicinal plant species and propagation of 30–40 Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) species.

Community Infrastructure: Establishment of 16 community nurseries and 16 seed banks.

Planting Material: Distribution of approximately 40,000–50,000 quality planting materials.

Traditional Knowledge: Documentation and scientific validation of traditional medicinal practices and indigenous knowledge.

Initial Fieldwork: In Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, traditional medicinal practices were documented from 146 tribal knowledge holders.

Institutional Collaboration: Cooperation with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), scientific institutions and local communities.

Target Beneficiaries: Tribal farmers, traditional healers, women and rural youth.

Objectives and Significance:

• Biodiversity Conservation: Protect medicinal plants, particularly threatened species.
• Sustainable Livelihoods: Generate income through cultivation, processing and marketing of medicinal plants.
• Traditional Knowledge: Preserve indigenous medicinal knowledge and practices.
• Women Empowerment: Promote tribal women’s participation in nursery management and bioresource-based enterprises.
• Value Addition: Develop market linkages for medicinal plants and other forest-based products.
• Community Participation: Recognise tribal communities as custodians of India’s biological and traditional knowledge heritage.

 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS:

Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) Species: Plant or animal species facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): Agricultural science centres that provide farmers with scientific knowledge, new technologies and practical training.

Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs): Centres that promote skill development, processing and value addition of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) to increase tribal income.

Other Important Government Initiatives for Tribal Development

Conclusion:

Tribal development requires an integrated approach combining biodiversity conservation, protection of traditional knowledge, education, infrastructure and sustainable livelihood generation.