1. Preamble
Kalinga University is committed to conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land). The University recognizes that the conservation of native flora, threatened species, and ecologically significant plant diversity is essential for maintaining ecological balance, enhancing ecosystem services, and fostering environmental sustainability.
The University campus currently supports a rich diversity of plant species comprising trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, gymnosperms, medicinal plants, ornamental species, and palms. Several native species such as Azadirachta indica (Neem), Aegle marmelos (Bael), Ficus religiosa (Peepal), Saraca asoca (Ashoka), Syzygium cumini (Jamun), Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy), Mangifera indica (Mango), Butea monosperma (Palash), Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola), Gymnema sylvestre, and many others contribute significantly to campus biodiversity and ecological resilience.
This policy establishes a systematic framework for identifying, monitoring, documenting, protecting, and periodically reviewing plant species that fall under the IUCN Red List, national conservation priorities, endemic flora, medicinally important species, and other ecologically significant plant resources present on the campus.
2. Principles
The Policy is guided by the following principles:
- Biodiversity Conservation – Protect and conserve native and threatened plant diversity.
- Scientific Monitoring – Maintain scientifically documented records of campus flora.
- Sustainable Campus Management – Integrate biodiversity conservation into campus planning and landscaping.
- Precautionary Principle – Prevent habitat degradation and avoid unnecessary removal of important species.
- Education and Research – Promote teaching, research, and student participation in biodiversity monitoring.
- Continuous Improvement – Regularly update biodiversity inventories and conservation practices.
3. Objectives
The objectives of this Policy are to:
- Monitor plant species listed under the IUCN Red List and other nationally important conservation categories.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive geo-referenced inventory of campus flora.
- Identify native, endemic, medicinal, rare, threatened, and economically important species.
- Promote conservation of indigenous species through plantation and habitat enhancement.
- Prevent loss of ecologically valuable plant species due to infrastructure development or other activities.
- Encourage biodiversity-related research and student projects.
- Enhance awareness regarding plant conservation among students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
- Support the University's commitment towards SDG 15.
4. Guidelines
4.1 Biodiversity Inventory
The University shall:
- Maintain an updated inventory of all plant species growing within the campus.
- Document botanical name, common name, family, habit, nativity, ecological importance, and conservation status.
- Update the inventory annually.
4.2 Monitoring of IUCN Red List Species
The University shall:
- Identify species falling under the IUCN Red List categories.
- Monitor their health, survival, regeneration, flowering, fruiting, and habitat condition.
- Maintain records of conservation measures undertaken.
4.3 Conservation of Native Flora
Priority shall be given to the protection and plantation of native species such as:
- Neem (Azadirachta indica)
- Bael (Aegle marmelos)
- Peepal (Ficus religiosa)
- Ashoka (Saraca asoca)
- Jamun (Syzygium cumini)
- Mango (Mangifera indica)
- Palash (Butea monosperma)
- Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)
- Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
and other indigenous species documented within the campus.
4.4 Habitat Protection
The University shall:
- Minimize disturbance to ecologically sensitive areas.
- Protect mature trees during construction and infrastructure development.
- Replace removed trees through compensatory plantation at an appropriate ratio as decided by the University.
4.5 Plantation and Restoration
The University shall:
- Conduct annual plantation drives focusing on native and climate-resilient species.
- Increase green cover through restoration of degraded areas.
- Promote medicinal gardens, butterfly gardens, and biodiversity parks.
4.6 Documentation and Geo-tagging
The University shall:
- Geo-tag significant trees and conservation species.
- Maintain digital records including photographs and GIS-based location mapping.
- Periodically verify survival status.
4.7 Awareness and Capacity Building
The University shall organize:
- Nature walks
- Biodiversity awareness programmes
- Plantation campaigns
- Expert lectures
- Student biodiversity clubs
- Celebration of World Environment Day, International Day for Biological Diversity, Van Mahotsav, and Wildlife Week.
4.8 Research and Academic Integration
Faculty members and students shall be encouraged to undertake:
- Biodiversity assessments
- IUCN status documentation
- Floristic surveys
- Carbon sequestration studies
- Ecosystem services assessment
- Medicinal plant research
- GIS-based vegetation mapping
4.9 Collaboration
The University may collaborate with:
- State Forest Department
- Botanical Survey of India
- Chhattisgarh Biodiversity Board
- IUCN partner organizations
- NGOs
- Research institutions for biodiversity documentation and conservation initiatives.
5. Teacher–Student Participation
Faculty members shall:
- Encourage student participation in biodiversity documentation.
- Integrate plant conservation into teaching and practical courses.
- Supervise biodiversity monitoring projects.
Students shall:
- Participate in plantation drives.
- Assist in biodiversity surveys.
- Report damage to important plant species.
- Promote conservation awareness within the campus.
6. Monitoring and Review
The University shall:
- Conduct annual biodiversity audits.
- Update the plant inventory periodically.
- Monitor the condition of IUCN-listed and other conservation-priority species.
- Review plantation survival rates and restoration programmes.
- Prepare annual biodiversity conservation reports.
- Review this policy every three years or earlier if required.
7. Accountability and Transparency
- The Estate Office, Department of Geography, Department of Botany (where applicable), Environmental Committee, and Green Campus Committee shall jointly oversee implementation.
- Biodiversity records shall be maintained in digital form.
- Geo-tagged records and plantation reports shall be preserved for institutional documentation.
- Biodiversity conservation activities shall be incorporated into annual environmental reports and SDG documentation.
- Any unauthorized removal or damage to protected plant species shall invite appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with university rules.
8. Approval and Implementation
This Policy on Monitoring of IUCN Red List Species and Other Conservation Plant Species shall come into effect from the date of approval by the competent authority of Kalinga University, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The Policy shall apply to all students, faculty members, researchers, staff, contractors, visitors, and other stakeholders associated with the University.
