Question : REPRESENTATION OF FARMERS AND TRIBALS

(a) whether a Central and the State Level bodies set up under the Bio-diversity Rules ( April 2004) Act, 2002 have received representations from farmers, tribals, pastoralists or other communities;

(b) if not, whether there is any proposal to modify the rules to involve the above parties; and

(c) whether the purpose of creating biodiversity management committee at Panchayat and municipality level to protect the indigenous genetic resources is being served properly without having representation of them at the Central and State bodies ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS( SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA )

(a)to (c )The National Biodiversity Authority set up at Central Level and the State Biodiversity Boards being set up at the state level are represented by ex-officio members and non-official experts, as prescribed under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Biodiversity Rules, 2004. At the local level, the Biodiversity Management Committees are to be set up which would comprise of maximum 7 members nominated by the local bodies of whom not less than 1/3rd would be women and not less than 18 % belonging to SC/ST. The National Biodiversity Authority and the State Boards are to carry out their mandate through Biodiversity Management Committees being established at local level. Therefore, the purpose to protect indigenous genetic resources is adequately served without having representation of local communities on the Central and State bodies. Accordingly, there is no proposal to modify the Act and Rules presently.