PBR is a document that inventories the biodiversity of a given locality and people's knowledge that is associated with bioresources. It is a document that is developed by the people, of their biodiversity and knowledge for biodiversity conservation. Thus, the PBR will have information on availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medicinal or any other use or any other traditional knowledge associated with them (Madhya Pradesh State Biodiversity Rules, 2004). The PBR is 'peoples' document showcasing the richness and status of biodiversity; and knowledge systems, uses and values ascribed to biodiversity.

PBR is envisioned as a tool that will facilitate the local bodies in conservation related decision-making. The process of inventorying will aid the planning process for biodiversity conservation thus making the PBR a planning tool. It will also reflect upon new opportunities that exist in areas for augmentation of bio-resource based livelihoods. With the range of information that the PBR will contain, it will thus be the development planning tool for the local entities. The PBR will have a detail inventory of availability and status of biological resources in the locality. Thus, it will help the BMC in advising the Board for granting approvals for access to bioresources. The PBR will also detail the traditional knowledge associated with bioresources. With this documentation, the means of protection of this knowledge against appropriation can then be devised thereby addressing the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) concerns. The PBR also has educational value. The process of PBR development itself lets the people explore the biodiversity and related knowledge. This itself helps in imparting 'resource literacy', much needed for the conservation process. Most importantly, the PBR is also a tool for educating the younger mind on conservation education and ethics; and the rich heritage.
The key mandate of the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) of the local bodies is to ensure conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits arising from biodiversity. In Kerala PBRs will be prepared by all the Panchayats, Municipalities and corporations.

The format of PBR preparation is being finalized. This will be tested in five model BMCs set up by the Board and subsequently PBRs will be prepared by BMCs in all the local bodies.