**5. Road map for future research**

The following research areas are suggested for conservation and sustainable utilization of forest biodiversity:-


**•** Establishing of Gene Sanctuaries of endemic & RET species

**•** A further strategic approach is needed for detailed research on different ecosystem services

**d.** *Technological and Capacity Building Gaps*: Today, science and technology is growing very fast. But it is not hard to see that the forestry sector of India has not been able to tap into the advances in technology to the optimal and uniform level. On the one hand, we have high and technical devices and on the other forestry sector lacks well equipped technical devices needed to research activity. Perhaps, one of the reasons why the status of forestry statistics has become a cause of concern because there is a vast gap in the current technology applications and their adaptation to the day-today working

The local capacity to collect data at regional level is weak. Before implementing technological advances in statistical data reporting work, it is necessary to build adequate capacity for collection of data from primary sources. The primary data collector should be well versed not only in the terminology of the database, but also with the importance of such a database to ensure sincerity in the work. The capacity-building programmes should have a sustainable structure aiming at timely upgrading in tandem with the technology. Use of local and wide

**e.** *Capacity strengthening:* The capacity to identify, collect and share data, use information and methods and build knowledge relevant for biodiversity conservation and ecological security is critical because of rapidly changing climatic, environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Extension services and mechanisms have been weakened greatly over the last two decades. Extension will need to be strengthened substantially in order to address biodiversity conservation for providing an efficient interface between policy-

The following research areas are suggested for conservation and sustainable utilization of

**•** Establishing of Gene Pool Conservation Areas (GPCAs) outside protected areas, where there

**•** Establishing of new permanent preservation plots of representative forest types

**•** Locating of old permanent preservation plots, data collection & maintenance

and functions to estimate the potential impacts of climate change

area networks is essential to ensure on-time data availability.

makers and the forest community.

**5. Road map for future research**

is concentration of endemic and RET species.

**•** Diversity of soil microflora and fauna

**•** Studies on plant-animal interactions/ associations

forest biodiversity:-

**•** Species recovery research

of forest research.

268 Biodiversity - The Dynamic Balance of the Planet

