Role of lac culture in biodiversity conservation: Issues at stake and conservation strategy

Abstract

Lac insects are exploited for their products of commerce, viz. resin, dye and wax. Cultivation of lac not only provides livelihood to millions of lac growers, but also helps in conserving vast stretches of forests and biodiversity associated with lac insect complex. The lac ecosystem is a complex multi-trophic web of flora and fauna; of the 87 species falling under nine genera recorded from the world, 19 species belonging to two genera, namely Kerria and Paratachardina are found in India. Lac insects thrive on more than 400 plant species generally growing in the forests which have varied economic, medicinal and social significance. Twenty-two species of lac predators, 30 species of primary and 45 species of secondary parasites, besides several fungal pathogens, represent a rich biodiversity of this ecosystem. Moreover, this natural lac complex also maintains a variety of other tree flora, macro fauna and soil microorganisms. Several of the insect fauna associated with lac insects are species-specific (exclusive to the ecosystem) and hence, loss of even one species of lac insect poses a danger of losing many other related species. Many lac insects and associated fauna have become endangered where lac cultivation has been abandoned or habitat destroyed. Promoting and encouraging lac culture will not only check environmental degradation but also conserve associated fauna and flora for posterity.