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Divided into three sections, this book explores the three main pillars of sustainable development, namely economy, environment and society, and their interlinkages at the regional level. The first section, Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) for sustainable development, focuses on international agreements and national legislation, as well as the challenges in implementing ABS in e.g. India. In turn, the second section examines the process of forming Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the Local Self Government (LSG) level to promote environmental sustainability, highlighting local and community-level conservation initiatives that have led to the conservation of habitats and species.

The third section addresses poverty eradication and food security. The case studies included demonstrate how the combination of traditional knowledge and modern techniques can enhance the productivity of traditional crop varieties, yielding greater benefits for communities.

The aim of this volume is to disseminate the lessons learned from these case studies, as well as the findings from projects already in place, which can offer recommendations that can be applied to similar problems elsewhere in an attempt to find environmental solutions for sustainable development. Further, it introduces readers to new approaches to inclusive development, demonstrating that participation and grass root empowerment are key drivers of equitable and sustainable development.

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Part I - Access and benefit sharing for sustainable development

1. International and National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing

2. Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism under the Multilateral System of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

3. Part II - Biodiversity governance for sustainable development

10. Decentralized governance for sustainable development

11. Community conservation of marine turtles and sustainable ecosystems

12. Grass-root initiatives for Environmental sustainability

13. Conservation through payment for ecosystem services

14. Geographical indications and sustainable livelihood

15. Grass root initiatives for sustainable livelihood

Part III Biodiversity for sustainable livelihood

16. Release of indigenous tribal community from debt trap

17. Sustainable development of Idamalakudy - A tribal Panchayat

18. Meliponiculture for pollination support, yield enhancement and poverty eradication

19. Sustainable use of wild yams by tribal communities in Kerala, India

20. Sustainability of native fish broods and rural livelihood

21. Restoring fish habitats for sustainable livelihood

22. Sustainable livestock farming-issues and concepts

23. Biodiversity and Sustainable development - A Retrospect

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"This book explores the interrelationship between biodiversity and sustainable development through the perspective of access and benefit sharing, biodiversity governance, and sustainable livelihood. ... The book has many illustrations (nine half tone and 45 coloured), and in general is suitable for researchers and policy makers wishing to understand how international and national agreements relate to issues in their own lives, and the relevance of grassroot initiatives and bottom-up solutions for sustainable development." (Rajani Srivastava, Biodiversity and Conservation, Vol. 27 (14), December, 2018)

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