The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has undertaken the significant initiative of developing People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) across the country, recognizing that documentation of local biological resources and associated traditional knowledge is an essential step for conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit-sharing. In alignment with this national initiative, the Himachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (HPSBB) has facilitated the constitution of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the Panchayat, Block, District, and Municipality levels, thereby institutionalizing biodiversity governance at the grassroots level. These BMCs serve as decentralized bodies mandated under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, to prepare PBRs, monitor biodiversity resources, and safeguard traditional ecological knowledge, often with technical guidance from designated Technical Support Groups (TSGs). Within this framework, the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Himachal Regional Centre (GBPNIHE-HRC), Mohal-Kullu, has been actively contributing as a TSG, providing scientific and technical expertise to communities for the preparation of PBRs in the hill districts of Himachal Pradesh. As part of its mandate, GBPNIHE-HRC has successfully prepared and compiled 40 PBRs for selected Panchayats in Kullu district and 6 PBRs for Panchayats in Mandi district, totalling 22 PBRs, which have been duly submitted to the HPSBB, Shimla. These registers represent a comprehensive record of the biodiversity wealth of the respective Panchayats, covering flora, fauna, agricultural biodiversity, wild edibles, medicinal plants, natural resources, and associated indigenous practices, while also documenting threats and conservation priorities as articulated by local communities.

The process involved intensive field-level consultations, participatory rural appraisal, and community meetings, ensuring that local people, elders, farmers, and knowledge holders contributed actively to identifying species, describing uses, and highlighting trends in biodiversity change. Beyond serving as static records, these PBRs play a dynamic role in empowering communities by making them aware of their biological wealth, enhancing local stewardship, and providing a legal basis for protecting community rights against unsustainable exploitation. They also form the foundation for developing local Biodiversity Action Plans, identifying bioresource-based livelihood opportunities, and linking conservation with sustainable development strategies. The initiative has helped strengthen the role of Panchayats in biodiversity governance and has created a repository of information that will support researchers, planners, and policymakers in designing effective conservation and livelihood interventions. As of now, GBPNIHE-HRC has prepared 46 PBRs of different BMCs, PBR of kullu district and its 5 blocks. The Institute is also involved as TSG to update the various PBRs across different districts of Himachal Pradesh. The Institute has also updated 159 PBRs of Kullu and Una district.