The preparation of PBRs involves the active support and cooperation of a large number of people who need to share their common as well as specialized knowledge. One of the first steps for preparing PBRs is to organize group meetings to explain the objectives and purpose of the exercise. Different social groups in the village need to be identified for purpose of data collection from those groups. In an urban situation, spots where biodiversity are important need to be identified for the purpose of the study and documentation. The documentation process includes information gathered from individuals through detailed questionnaire, focused group discussion with persons having knowledge and published secondary information. Documentation of knowledge of individuals with regard to biodiversity and its uses is an important part of PBRs. Every effort should be made to identify the persons with proven knowledge of local biodiversity; special attention should be given to the elderly persons who can also provide information on the biodiversity which was available in the past but no longer seen at present. Information provided by people need to be collated, analyzed and crosschecked by the members of the BMCs and Technical Support Groups (TSGs) before documentation.
The document should be endorsed by the BMC and later publicized in the respective Panchayat/ Gram Panchayat/Panchayat Samiti. The document can also be a very useful teaching tool for teaching environmental studies at schools, colleges and university level. It should be periodically updated with additional and new information as and when generated.
Process in PBR Preparation
Formation of Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC)
Sensitization of the public about the study, survey and possible management
Training of members in identification and collection of data on biological resources and traditional knowledge
Data collections include review of literature on the natural resources of the districts, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRAs) at village level, house hold interviews, individual interviews with village leaders and knowledgeable individuals, key actors of the Panchyat Raj Institutions and NGOs and direct field observations
Analysis and validation of data in consultation with Technical Support Group (TSG) and BMC
Preparation of People’s Biodiversity Register
Computerization of information and resources