Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

Six news sites have been incorporated into the FAO’s GIAHS Programme.

About the Sites Included

• A conventional agroforestry system for the erva-mate plant in Brazil.
 • Specialized farming systems in China for pearl mussels (a type of mollusc), white tea, and pears.
 • A traditional system that maintains essential food crops and biodiversity in Mexico.
 • A unique farming system in the volcanic landscape of Lanzarote, Spain.

What is GIAHS?

GIAHS are agroecosystems where communities maintain a complex relationship with their territory. These dynamic locations are resilient systems marked by:
  ● Remarkable Agrobiodiversity: A harmonious blend of diverse crops, livestock, and natural ecosystems.  
  ● Traditional Knowledge: Practices that have stood the test of time, passed down through generations.  
  ● Invaluable Cultures: A rich cultural heritage and community traditions that are deeply tied to the land.  
  ● Beautiful Landscapes: Picturesque agricultural landscapes shaped by the interaction between humans and nature.  
  ● Sustainably Managed By: Farmers, Herders, Fisherfolk, and Forest People.  
 These systems contribute to livelihoods and food security.

About Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme

Genesis: Initiated at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in 2002. Purpose: Safeguard family farming and traditional agricultural systems against challenges like climate change, community displacements, and biodiversity loss. Current Status: There are 95 GIAHS sites across 28 countries, including: Saffron Heritage of Kashmir, Koraput Traditional Agriculture (in Odisha), and Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System (in Kerala).