What is PBR?
It is People’s Biodiversity Register. Idea is to record Biodiversity, Agrobiodiversity and Cultural Diversity in one’s area.
How to record Biodiversity?
An Individual can collect data from a village/town/city in the format prescribed. Software has the facility to accept documents like a picture, text file, audio or a video clip. We visit many places as tourist. If one has photographs which fit into the PBR categories, they can be uploaded. Interviews with village community members which capture vocabulary and local dialects can also be uploaded into the software.
Why is it necessary?

Habitat destruction, expansion of agriculture, pollution is causing degradation of ecosystems resulting in species loss as never before. Additionally, a stark disconnect from nature in day-to-day life is resulting in loss of traditional knowledge about flora and fauna, accumulated over the generations.

Along with the efforts to conserve and protect the threatened ecosystems, there is also an acute need to document biodiversity, cultural diversity and the traditional knowledge associated with it, all of which is being lost at a scary pace.

What is authenticity of this data collection and is there any legal support to it?
PBR has been backed by the Indian Biodiversity Act (2002). The act says, there shall be Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) in each village and such BMCs will have a major responsibility of establishing PBR of their village. Once PBR data is approved by the BMC, the village gets its rights established over that data. This data will be later used by the state biodiversity boards in planning, management and conservation of biodiversity.
Do I need to be a subject expert in order to contribute?

No. What this needs is passion and commitment. There are many ways in which one can be part of this activity.

Data Collection

o Field Data Collection

An Individual can collect data from a village/town/city in the format prescribed.

o Multimedia Data Submission

Software has the facility to accept documents like a picture, text file, audio or a video clip. We visit many places as tourist. If one has photographs which fit into the PBR categories, they can be uploaded. Interviews with village community members which capture vocabulary and local dialects can also be uploaded into the software.

Data Entry

Data collected has to be entered into the software where it will be stored to the database, to be viewed by others, to be archived to avoid data loss and to be retrieved in forms of various reports from research perspective. Since it is web-based software, data entry can be performed by anyone conversant with computer having Internet access.

Data Validation and Gap Filling

Data collected should be validated before it is stored to the database. For the stored data, there will always be gaps or sections where other people can add more information. For sections like flora and fauna, subject experts can help in mapping local names with common English name and scientific name.

Elderly people can help fill-in historical data or traditional knowledge and such details which younger generation might not be aware. These tasks can be performed without having to leave one’s house. Retired field experts, professors, school teachers can help in this task.

Technical Assistance

Software will undergo modifications over the period of time. There will be need to upgrade the technology, change user interface, migrate to another server etc. Individuals with corresponding skills can contribute their technical knowledge.

Database Building

For Bird Identification Application and similar applications in pipeline, a huge database needs to be maintained. Database is the backbone of the software. Database generation is a time consuming and laborious task but very important and critical one. Individuals with keen interest in domain would be required who would be able to work from home. A format will be provided to them and will be provided required guidance and assistance.

Capacity Building

Training sessions will have to be conducted regarding PBR, the overall process of data collection and usage of software. For village community members, some amount of hand-holding is required as far as software is concerned.

Education and Awareness Generation

For this activity, getting started is important but also vital is ensuring its continuity. It is possible only if awareness is generated among individuals regarding its importance and significance in view of various environmental challenges. Since it is a living document, children are the ones who will be taking this activity forward. At school level, various workshops are to be conducted and various interactive activities need to be designed to convey the concept of PBR and its importance to children. This initiative will require individuals who can contribute various creative ideas to be included in training sessions, individuals to translate those ideas into material like posters, documents, films etc. and individuals who are interested in and can devote time to conduct training for villages, government departments, corporate offices, schools, colleges or any informal groups.