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  Introduction to the Global Biodiversity Standard- Paul Blanchflower

  As the world wide movement gathers pace to plant trees as a reaction to the increased effects of climate change, there is a need to monitor and certify tree planting programs to ensure they support the conservation of biodiversity rather than contribute to its demise. Botanical Gardens Conversation International (BGCI) an organization that networks botanical gardens across the global has launched such as scheme which is called the “Global Biodiversity Standard”. They are working with a wide range of partners in an attempt to raise awareness amongst governments, funders and tree planting programs, so that meaningful tree plantation programs are undertaken. The standard has been launched and at present it is going through testing and trials, to modify and adapt it to the varying conditions found around the world. Auroville Botanical Gardens is the hub for this project in India and SE Asia, and it is hoping to collaborate with as many practitioners in India to certify projects and to train certifiers in the different eco zones. There current partners include Society for Ecological Restoration, Ecosia, CIFOR, IUCN, SCC, TRAFFIC, and Plan VIVO.

  About the speaker

  Paul arrived in the international community of Auroville, India in 1991, aged 24. For last 30 years he has been committed to the conservation and restoration of the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests. In the year 2000 he was one of the instigators of the Auroville Botanical Gardens. Now 20 years later it is a thriving and beautiful environment dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity. He also runs large-scale ecological restoration projects. He recently completed the restoration of an old cement quarry, creating an eco – park which will serve as a benchmark project for the mining industries of India.