INDIA CALLS FOR STRICT INTERNATIONAL NORMS FOR CONSERVING AND SHARING BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

SHRI T.R.BAALU ASKS THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

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The Union Minister of Environment and Forests, Shri T.R.Baalu, has asked the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development to address the issue of protecting the right of the countries of origin while sharing the diverse genetic resources that are unique to certain countries. He was speaking at the Plenary Session on Biodiversity and Eco Systems at the World Summit on Sustainable Development at Johannesburg on Monday.

Shri Baalu urged the international community to address the four basic issues with regard to conservation and sustainable use of diverse biological resources. He identified these issues as : (1) ensuring benefits to countries of origin of germ plasm resources by developed countries, The benefits shall include location of research and technological facilities in the countries of origin in addition to payment of royalty and monetary compensation; (2) development of an internationally recognised regime for recognising the property rights, both intellectual and physical of the local communities. Till such time patent applications shall disclose source of origin of the genetic material being used, knowledge and practices about use of such resources by the local communities and to make a general declaration that the laws, practices and guidelines for the use of such material in the country of origin have been followed; (3) building up capacities of biological diversity rich countries to enable them to do bio-prospecting and sustainable use of such resources; and (4) ensuring strict safeguards before introduction of transgenic.

Shri Baalu informed the summit gathering that conservation and sustainable use of biological resources in India is based on the strategy of involvement of local communities. He cautioned the Summit that the new partnerships being proposed at the Summit shall not turn out to be yet another exploitative mechanism. He called upon the international community to immediately put in place a mechanism for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of utilisation of genetic resources. While speaking at the Plenary Session on Health, Shri Baalu urged the developed countries to help the developing countries to improve health and sanitation facilities which have a direct bearing on environment.