Biodiversity and Biohappiness

Why in the News?

1. India has the potential to lead the world in conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, which can greatly improve public health and well-being.
2. This aligns with the vision of “Biohappiness” by M.S. Swaminathan, which connects nature’s resources with human happiness and prosperity.
3. Experts recommend promoting forgotten foods like minor millets for their health and environmental benefits and suggest including them in the Public Distribution System (PDS) for wider access.

What is Biohappiness?
 

1. Biohappiness is an idea by M.S. Swaminathan. It means feeling good and happy by using nature’s plants and animals in a fair and careful way.
   1. The goal is to create jobs and money for people.
   2. It is about using nature to help people live better lives.
   3. At the same time, it is important to protect the environment.
   4. It also means being fair to everyone in society.
2. In short, biohappiness is about turning nature into chances for happiness and success.
    

What are the Key Highlights?
 

1. Ecosystem Diversity:
   1.  India has many different natural areas, including forests, deserts, wetlands, grasslands, and coastal zones. These areas support a wide range of plants and animals.
   2. India has only about 2% of the world’s land, but it has nearly 8% of the world’s plants and animals.
   3.  India is home to about 1,00,000 species of animals and over 48,000 species of plants, making up 7–8% of all known species on Earth, even though the country occupies only 2.4% of the world’s land area.
   4. India also has four important biodiversity hotspots.

 

Biodiversity Hotspot	Location in India	Key Features
Himalaya	Northern India (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh)	High mountain biodiversity, many endemic species
Indo-Burma	Northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur)	Rich tropical forests, many rare plants and animals
Western Ghats	Western coastal states (Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra)	Tropical evergreen forests, high endemism
Sundaland (Nicobar Islands)	Nicobar Islands	Unique island ecosystems, diverse marine and terrestrial life

 

2. Endemic Species:
   1.  Endemic species are plants or animals that are found only in a particular place and not anywhere else in the world.
      •  i. For example Lion-tailed macaques are found only in the Western Ghats. Nilgiri tahr is found only in the Nilgiri Hills and Western Ghats. Great Indian bustard found mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Malabar civet is found only in parts of Kerala.
3.  Crop Diversity:
   1.  India has a rich variety of crops. In 2025, scientists introduced new types of rice, like DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1, which grow better and use less water.
   2. Some crops, called orphan crops or opportunity crops, are part of local food and culture.
   3. They are also linked to local knowledge about the land and climate.
   4. In the Kolli Hills of Tamil Nadu, people used to grow millets that were suited to their land. But over time, many farmers started growing cash crops like cassava, coffee, and pepper. This caused a loss of crop variety (called agrobiodiversity).
   5. The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) has worked with farmers in this area for over 20 years.
   6. They helped stop the loss of millet crops by doing research with farmers and helping women’s groups.
   7. This work helped farmers:
      1. Keep traditional knowledge safe
      2. Improve soil health
      3. Grow many types of crops
      4. Improve food processing and add value
      5. Earn more money, especially for women

1. In 2023, India celebrated the International Year of Millets. Under the Shree Anna Yojana, the government planned to:
   1. Grow more millets
   2. Increase their use and export
   3. Build better value chains
   4. Spread awareness of health benefits
2. Many Indian states now have Millet Missions. In Koraput district of Odisha, the Odisha Millet Mission has helped farmers grow and eat more millets, from seed to kitchen.
3. So far, the focus has been on ragi, jowar, and bajra. Experts say the next step is to include minor millets and add them to the Public Distribution System (PDS).
4. Many Indian states now have Millet Missions.
    In Koraput district of Odisha, the Odisha Millet Mission has helped farmers grow and eat more millets, from seed to kitchen.

What is the Significance of Biodiversity & Biohappiness?
 

1. Health Benefits: Local crops are nutritious and help fight rising diseases like diabetes and obesity.
2. Climate Resilience: These crops grow well in local climates and require fewer resources like water and chemicals.
3. Cultural Preservation: Reviving traditional crops also means preserving the food culture and knowledge of tribal and rural communities.
4. Economic Upliftment: Improved farming, local processing, and value addition increase farmers' income, especially for women.
5. Global Leadership Potential: With good science and human resources, India can lead the world in sustainable biodiversity use and food systems.

What are the Significance of Biodiversity and Biohappiness?
 

1. Sustainable Livelihoods:
   1. India’s rich biodiversity supports millions, especially rural and tribal communities, through agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
   2. Concepts like Biohappiness help connect natural resources with livelihoods, dignity, and well-being.
       
2. Public Health and Nutrition:
   1. Traditional crops like millets and tubers are high in nutrition and help prevent lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
   2. Biodiverse diets support better immunity and health.
       
3. Climate Resilience:
   1. Orphan crops (e.g., millets) are climate-resilient and drought-tolerant.
   2. Diverse ecosystems are better able to withstand climate shocks such as floods, droughts, and temperature extremes.
4. Cultural and Traditional Knowledge:
   1. Indigenous communities have deep knowledge of local crops, medicinal plants, and sustainable practices.
   2. Biohappiness encourages valuing and preserving this heritage.
5. Environmental Protection:
   1. Biodiversity hotspots like the Himalayas and Western Ghats protect critical ecosystems and regulate climate, rainfall, and water cycles.
   2. Ecosystem diversity helps maintain soil health and clean air and water.
6. Economic Opportunities:
   1. Promoting biodiversity can lead to eco-tourism, organic farming, and new agricultural markets.
   2. Women-led value addition and processing (e.g., millet products) empower rural women and generate income.

 

What are the Challenges Associated with Biodiversity and Biohappiness?
 

1. Monoculture and Crop Concentration:
   1. Global food systems rely heavily on a few crops (rice, wheat, maize), reducing crop diversity.
   2. This increases the risk of pests, climate impacts, and nutritional deficiencies.
2. Neglect of Indigenous Crops:
   1. Orphan crops remain outside the mainstream agricultural systems and PDS, limiting their access and promotion.
   2. Farmers shift to cash crops, causing loss of agrobiodiversity and soil health.
3. Lack of Awareness and Market Support:
   1. Consumers and farmers lack awareness of the health and environmental benefits of traditional crops.
   2. Market linkages, storage, and processing facilities are limited for minor millets and tubers.
4. Policy and Institutional Gaps:
   1. Biodiversity conservation often lacks coordination across departments.
   2. Many biodiversity-friendly policies are not implemented at the grassroots level.
5. Environmental Degradation:
   1. Deforestation, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change are harming biodiversity hotspots and endemic species.
6. Inequity and Gender Gaps:
   1. Benefits from biodiversity are not equally shared. Women and tribal communities often have less access to markets and technologies.
       

Way Forward
 

1. Mainstream Orphan Crops into PDS and Mid-Day Meals: Include minor millets and local legumes in food security schemes like PDS and school meals to boost nutrition and create demand.
2. Strengthen Local Food Systems:
   1. Support farmers in growing traditional crops through seed banks, agroecological training, and local procurement models.
   2. Build farm-to-fork millet models as seen in Odisha’s Millet Mission.
3. Promote Biohappiness Through Education and Media:
   1. Raise awareness about biodiversity and its link to health, jobs, and happiness.
   2. Use local media, schools, and community networks to spread knowledge.
4. Policy Integration and Financial Support:
   1. Align agricultural, environmental, and nutrition policies with biodiversity goals.
   2. Provide incentives, MSP, and subsidies for orphan crops and biodiversity friendly practices.
5. Strengthen Research and Innovation:
   1. Fund participatory research with farmers to improve local crop varieties and processing.
   2. Support grassroots innovations, especially those led by women and tribal groups.
6. Protect Ecosystems and Endemic Species:
   1. Strengthen implementation of biodiversity laws (like the Biological Diversity Act).
   2. Use community conservation models and involve local people in managing forests and wetlands.
7. Promote Value Chains and Exports:
   1. Develop branding and value chains for millet-based and forest-based products.
   2. Encourage public-private partnerships in marketing, processing, and export of bio-resources.

 

Public Distribution System (PDS): The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a government-sponsored food security system in India. It distributes subsidized food grains to the poor through a network of Fair Price Shops (FPS) across the country. It is one of the largest food distribution systems in the world and plays a crucial role in achieving food and nutritional security. Objectives of PDS: Ensure food security by making essential commodities available at affordable prices. Stabilize food prices and curb hoarding and black marketing. Support poor and vulnerable sections of society. Encourage production of food grains through assured procurement.

 

Ensure IAS Mains Question   Q. "What is the concept of biohappiness? Discuss its relevance in the Indian context, especially in relation to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and community well-being. (250 Words)

 

Ensure IAS Prelim MCQs   Q. Consider the following statements regarding India’s biodiversity: India occupies about 2.4% of the world’s land area but supports nearly 8% of global biodiversity. The Western Ghats and the Himalaya are the only two biodiversity hotspots in India. Endemic species like the Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri tahr are found exclusively in the Western Ghats. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (A) Only one (B) Only two (C) All three (D) None Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is correct; India supports 7–8% of global biodiversity with only 2.4% of land area. Statement 2 is incorrect; India has four biodiversity hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands). Statement 3 is correct; Endemic species like the Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri tahr are found exclusively in the Western Ghats. Thus, option B is correct.

 

Q1. What is the concept of Biohappiness?

Biohappiness, coined by M.S. Swaminathan, means using biodiversity in a fair, sustainable, and inclusive way to improve human well-being. It promotes happiness, livelihoods, and health by responsibly utilizing natural resources while ensuring environmental conservation and social equity.

 

Q2. Why is biodiversity important for India?

India hosts nearly 8% of the world’s biodiversity while occupying just 2.4% of the global land area. Biodiversity supports agriculture, health, livelihoods, and climate resilience. It also sustains rural and tribal communities and ensures food, water, and ecological security.

Q3. What are “orphan crops” or “opportunity crops”?

These are traditional, locally adapted crops like millets, buckwheat, and yams that were neglected in modern agriculture. They are now seen as opportunity crops because they are nutritious, climate-resilient, low-input, and culturally significant.

Q4. How can biodiversity improve public health?

Biodiverse diets rich in millets, legumes, tubers, and wild foods offer essential nutrients and help fight non-communicable diseases like diabetes and obesity. Such foods support gut health, boost immunity, and reduce dependence on processed foods.

Q5. What are the challenges in promoting biodiversity and biohappiness?

Key challenges include over-reliance on a few crops (monoculture), neglect of indigenous species, weak market linkages, policy fragmentation, environmental degradation, and inequitable access to biodiversity benefits, especially for women and tribal communities.

Q6. How can India mainstream orphan crops into the food system?

By integrating them into Public Distribution System (PDS), mid-day meals, and government procurement schemes; offering Minimum Support Prices (MSP); building value chains; promoting awareness; and strengthening millet missions like the one in Odisha.