People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) are an essential tool for capturing detailed, community-level information on local biodiversity, and they play a pivotal role in micro-level planning by connecting grassroots knowledge with formal governance structures and policy implementation. These registers, as outlined under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002 in India, are intended to document the presence, status, and use of biological resources within a specific geographic area, often maintained at the village or panchayat level. By systematically recording data on flora, fauna, traditional knowledge, and associated socio-economic uses, PBRs provide a foundational knowledge base for informed decision-making, enabling institutions and governance bodies to develop policies that are context-specific, sustainable, and responsive to local needs. The first critical contribution of PBRs in micro-level planning lies in their capacity to democratize data collection and enhance community participation. Traditionally, biodiversity documentation has been centralized, often controlled by experts and academic institutions, which limited the relevance of information for local planning. PBRs, in contrast, empower local communities to contribute to the inventorying of resources, thereby recognizing and valuing indigenous knowledge systems. This participatory approach strengthens governance at the local level by integrating the insights of those most directly dependent on biodiversity for livelihoods, health, and cultural practices. By fostering local ownership of biodiversity data, PBRs not only enrich the planning process but also encourage community stewardship, making policies for conservation and sustainable resource use more effective and widely accepted. From an institutional perspective, PBRs act as critical tools for coordination between different levels of governance. Local self-governments, such as panchayats, can utilize the data from PBRs to make informed decisions about land use, agricultural practices, forest management, and water resource allocation. For example, information on the availability of medicinal plants, non-timber forest products, or traditional crop varieties can guide micro-level planning for community health programs, livelihood enhancement schemes, or climate-resilient agriculture interventions. By providing concrete evidence of biodiversity resources, PBRs support institutions in developing policies that balance developmental goals with ecological sustainability. Moreover, the structured data from PBRs can be shared with district and state-level biodiversity boards, thereby creating a coherent policy framework that links local insights with regional and national strategies. PBRs also facilitate the integration of environmental considerations into planning processes, which is particularly important in rural and ecologically sensitive areas. Micro-level planning often requires decisions about the allocation of resources, land-use patterns, and infrastructure development. By providing detailed information on species distribution, habitat conditions, and ecological pressures, PBRs help planners anticipate potential environmental impacts and incorporate conservation measures into local development plans. For instance, if a PBR identifies a rare species or a critical wetland area, local authorities can ensure that agricultural expansion, irrigation projects, or construction activities do not compromise these ecological assets. In this way, PBRs serve as instruments of environmental governance, ensuring that sustainability principles are embedded in decision-making at the grassroots level. The policy implications of PBRs extend beyond conservation to encompass socio-economic development and equitable resource management. Many rural communities depend on biodiversity for food, fodder, fuel, and traditional medicine. By documenting the linkages between biodiversity and livelihoods, PBRs provide a factual basis for policies that aim to improve income security, enhance resilience, and reduce vulnerability. For example, micro-level planning can leverage PBR data to promote community-managed agroforestry systems, sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products, or value addition to local