The India Biodiversity Portal: The evolution and growth of an open access, participatory biodiversity information system

Abstract

This case is an account of the establishment and growth of web portal indiabiodiversity.org. The case provides an overview of the development and growth of the portal with an open source and commons philosophy, and challenges faced by the consortium managing the portal. The portal was launched in December 2008, and after a brief lull there was an intensification of efforts on the portal leading to its emergence as a significant resource on India’s biodiversity. The case discusses the manner in which the portal members addressed ongoing challenges in pursuing their objectives while adhering to the philosophy of commons and open source, and how it impacts technology strategy, organizational strategy and structure, resource acquisition, and the processes of decision making. The case ends by raising questions and challenges going into the future.