Question : BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT, 2002

(a) whether Biological Diversity Act, 2002 has attracted sharp criticism from many quarters especially on the issues of collaborative research projects, the particular clause in the Act, which may encourage bio piracy and alienate indigenous farmers from their resource;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government have taken any steps to promote the Documentation of traditional knowledge sources;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS (SHRI DILIP SINGH JU DEV)

(a) & (b) No, sir. In fact, the Biological Diversity Act provides for checking biopiracy and realize equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of utilization of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.

(c), (d) & (e) Section 41 of the Biological Diversity Act provides for constitution of Biodiversity Management Committees by local bodies whose functions interalia include documentation of biological diversity and chronicling of knowledge relating to biological diversity. The National Institute of Science, Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) developed Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which transcribes the information present in Ayurvedic texts into five international languages. TKDL will facilitate patent examiners to prevent biopiracy of codified traditional knowledge of Ayurveda.