| Environment
: Fellowships and Awards
B.P.
Pal National Environment Fellowship Award
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Introduction
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Procedure
for Submission of Nominations
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Criteria
for Selection
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Terms of the Award
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Proforma
INTRODUCTION
Biological
diversity, or 'biodiversity' is the total variability within all
organisms and the ecological complexes they inhabit. It encompasses
viruses, bacteria, fungi and other micro-organisms, as well as
animals and plants. Biodiversity has three levels-ecosystem, species
and genetic diversity-reflectedin the number of different species,
the different combination of species and thedifferent combinations
of genes within each species. Five to ten million specieshave
been described world-wide, with flowering plants constituting
14% of this total. We
are part of this richness. We depend on it, because it is the
human life-support system - the source of our food, medicines,
timber, fibre and many other products.It is the gene pool from
which crop breeders glean new varieties. And, beyond all these,
it is the natural beauty that uplifts the human spirit.It is
in our interest to protect the Earth's biodiversity.It is also
our individualand collective moral responsibility to recognise,
respect and protect the unclaimed rights of other living organisms
to cohabit the Planet Earth.
India
is one of the world's top 12 mega-diversity countries. It is
very rich in biological diversity with about 75,000 species
of animals and 45,000 species of plants. Among the wild fauna;India
houses 340 species of mammals,1200 species of birds, 420 of
reptiles, 140 of amphibians, 2000 of fishes, 4000 of molluscs
and 5000 of insects apart from other invertebrates. Among the
flora are 15,000 species of flowering plants, 5000 of algae,
1600 of lichens, 20,000 offungi,2700 of bryophytes and 600 of
pteridophytes.
The
threat to this biological diversity is due to over exploitation
andhabitat destruction. Realising the fact that many species
of animals and plants have become endangered, several initiatives
have been taken in India for their conservation. Today most
of India's wildlife find protection in 75 Nationalparks,421
sanctuaries and 7 Biosphere reserves located in different parts
of the country. Among the special projects taken up for the
protection of threatened species, Project Tiger has been a phenomenal
success.Separate projects have alsobeen established for the
protection of the Gir Lion, Crocodiles, Kashmir Stag, Himalayan
Musk Deer,Indian Swamp Deer, the Brown-antlered Deer,Snow Leopard,etc.
Several zoos are also engaged in captive breeding programmes
successfully.
India
is also a signatory now to the Convention on Biological Diversity
which the Government had signed alongwith 155 other nations
during UNCED Earth Summit held in Brazil in May,1992.
Out
of the 10 million species estimated to inhabit the biosphere,
only 1.4 milion are named. Tropical forests account for 50-90%
of the world's speciesand represent biotic communities with
high density, rich assortment and mutualism. These biota yield
valuable products, support human cultures and regulate biologival,geological
and chemical cycles.
At
the current rate of destruction , 50% of the tropical species
are likely to be irretrievably lost in 15-20 years. Besides
its profound ethical and aesthetic implications, biodiversity
loss has severe economic costs. As plants, animals and micro-organisms
die out, so do untold options for medical and agricultural advances.
As habitats decline,so does their ability to provide such "ecosystem
services" as purifying water, enriching soil, protecting watersheds,
regulating temperature and biogeochemical cycles throughout
the biosphere. Consequently,conservation of biodiversityis a
global concern.
Given
the remarkable cultural diversity if India, the needs of human
andlivestock populations and substantial resources demands of
the growing economy, conserving India's heritage of biodiversity
is an important task.Recognising theimportance of the subject
of Biodiversity and with a view to further develop, deepen and
strengthen the expertise available in the country, the Advisory
Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr.S.Z.Qasim, Member(Science),
Planning Commission which met on 16th June, 1993 recommended
institution of a National Fellowship in the area of Biodiversity
and deemed it appropriate to name it after Dr.B.P.Pal-firstly
to bring a high standard to the fellowship and also tocommemorate
the extra-ordinary conrtributions of Dr.B.P.Pal in the subject.
The
fellowship is in recognition of significantly important research
anddevelopment contributions and is also intended to encourage
talented individualsto devote themselves whole-time to R &
D pursuits in the field of Biodiversity for the duration of
the fellowship. The date of announcement of the award would
be the day on which the Convention was signed by India in Rio
in 1992 i.e. June5,1992.
PROCEDURE
OF SUBMISSION OF NOMINATIONS
The nominations
will be invited each year from the following:-
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Presidents of approved scientific societies.
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Vice-Chancellors of Universities (including Agricultural Universities),
Deans of Science, Engineering and Technology, and Medical
Faculties.
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Heads and Deans of Faculties of Institutions deemed to be
of university status like Indian Institute of Science,Bangalore;
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; Post-Graduate
Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh; Birla
Institute of Technology and Science,Pilani;etc.
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Directors of Indian Institutes of Technology.
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Directors General of major R & D organisations:DRDO, ICAR,
ICMR, CSIR, Indian Meteorological Department, various Survey
Organisations.
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Chairmen of Commissions:Atomic Energy,Space,Oil and Natural
Gas, UGC,etc.
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Members of Planning Commission.
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Directors of CSIR laboratories and Director of Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre, Mumbai; Bose Institute, Calcutta; Birbal
Sahni Institute of Palaeo-botany, Lucknow; Forest Recearch
Institute, Dehra Dun; Indian Association for the Cultivation
of Science, Calcutta;Physical Research Laboratory,Ahmedabad;Saha
Institute of Nuclear Physics, Calcutta;Tata Institute of Fundamental
Research, Mumbai;Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology,Dehra
dun;Maharashtra Association for Cultivation of Science,Pune;etc.
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Secretaries of the various State Governments dealing with
Science,Agriculture,Environment,Forestry and Animal Husbandry.
The
University Faculties may recommend persons working in their institutions
only and route the applications through their Vice-Chancellors.
The Deans of Faculties in IIT's may send their nominations through
their Directors. The Directors General of R & D agencies,Chairmen
of Commissions and Directors ofLaboratories may sponsor names
of scientists working in their respective organisations. The Directors
of CSIR and other approved laboratories and institutions may nominate
persons working in their institutions only. The
nominations complete in all respects should be sent on the lines
of the proforma (as given below) by Registered A.D. Post along
with 10 copies each of Bio-data(500 words) and Research Project(500
words) and one set of reprints or other documentary evidence
of achievements in a confidential sealed cover marked "B.P.Pal
National Environment Fellowship Award for Biodiversity" andaddressed
to the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Environment
and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road,New Delhi-110003,by
31stMarch,199x.
The
Biodata should bring out the work and measurable attainments
of the nominee, the importance of the R & D contribution
of the nominee, and also othermeasurable evidence of the gains
to be achieved by actual implementation of theR & D in the
field of Environmental Sciences. The Research Project must clearly
bring out its nature and importance in specific terms elaborating
the programmein a phased manner.
The
nomination once received will be valid for consideration for
a consecutive period of three years.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTION
This scheme
is open to resident Indian citizens only, except those individuals
who are employed in the Ministry of Environment and Forests
and it's subordinate offices.
For
this National Fellowship Award, the outstanding work/effort
of the past five calendar years will be considered.
The
selection will be carried out by an Awards Committee consisting
of eminent scienists/ environmentalists nominated for the purpose
each year by the Government of India.The Government may on its
own, and in consultation with the Awards Committee, nominate
a renowned scientist for this fellowship. In the absence of
any suitably qualified nominee, the Government reserves the
right to withhold the Award for any particular year(s). Ministry
of Environment and Forests will have the sole right to select
the awardees and formulate rules governing such selection.
The
selection of the awardee would be made by Ministry of Environment
and Forests on recommendations of the appointed Committee. The
Ministry's decision shall be final and binding in all respects,
and no appeal in respect of them shall lie to any authority.
The Ministry will also have the right to modify the scheme as
and when it deems fit.
For
selection, the Awards Committee would, among other things, take
into account the high quality contribution made and the merits
of the proposed research work.The significance of the contribution
already made and the impact in the field of BIodiversity will
be the major criteria for recommending selection. For the purpose
of this Award, the term 'Biodiversity' will be interpreted in
the broadest possible sense and would include all creative pursuits
in the field.
No
correspondence will be entertained regarding the selection of
the awardee, or the selection procedure.
If
any member(s) of this committee happens to be a nominee for
any of the awards, he/she will cease to be a member of any of
the Committees for that particular year.
Awardee
shall be intimated by post at the respective addresses given
in the nomination forms.
The
awardee will be expected to deliver a talk at a place and venue
to be intimated by MoEF.
All
materials submitted for consideration of the Nomination are
non-returnable.
TERMS
OF THE AWARD
The B.P.Pal
National Environment Fellow would be required to work on the
project of his choice on a full-time basis for the duration
of the Award. He would submit the results of his research work
to the Ministry of Environment and Forests who would be free
to utilise the the matter in an manner they deem fit.
The
fellowship would normally be for a period of two years,which
in exceptional cases, could be extended by one more year. The
National Fellow will receive an award of Rs.4000/- per month
during the period of fellowship.
The
fellowship amount is exempt from income tax. In addition, an
amount of Rs.18,000/- per annum will be paid to the Fellow for
meeting secretarial and contingent expenditure(including travel).
He will also entitled to engage Research Staff/Field Investigator
to assist him during the period of award for which a total amount
of Rs.1500/- per month would be paid. The expenses of fellowship
and remuneration of staff will be met by the Ministry of Environment
and Forests.
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