Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 10 (IANS) Kerala is all set to become the first state in the country to have a policy document on biodiversity conservation related "access and benefit sharing (ABS)", a UN green expert has revealed.
Balakrishna Pisupati, currently heading a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Norway, is in the state's capital city to finalise a draft ABS policy being prepared by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB).
Pisupati told IANS in an online interview that the progress that Kerala has made for biodiversity conservation has to be lauded and "even though the concept of ABS is old, for bio resources the ABS is something new".
"Today, we have a Biodiversity Act in the country and when it comes to ABS, states can chalk out their own plans. The KSBB will be ready with a full-fledged ABS policy shortly," said Pisupati, the UN expert and former chairman of the National Biodiversity Authority.
He said, "In simple terms, ABS becomes applicable "if there is any commercial utilisation of biological resources and in traditional knowledge, where a fee would be levied."
Kerala is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna and among the other segments where ABS will be applicable include the seafood sector, seeds, spices, plantation sector to name a few.
"The policy that's being readied will include the guidelines on how ABS is made applicable. One thing that would be very clear is that this is not meant to make money for the KSBB by taxing the Ayurveda manufacturers, the seafood industry and others who use the resources," Pisupati said.
This is just to ensure that the stakeholders are made aware that conservation is needed because if they have to continue their business, conservation has to take place, he said.
"There would be no wielding the stick, but (we will be) taking all the stakeholders on board," Pisupati said.
KSBB chairman Oommen V.Oommen told IANS that they have already started first round of talks with the stakeholders and the Ayurveda Medicine Manufacturers have understood what we are trying to tell them through the new policy.
"We will not be insisting for an ABS fee, instead we will also look forward for contribution in kind from the stakeholders, where they will have to see they engage in conservation activities in their area of operation by planting trees and tending it," he said.
According to K.P.Laladhas, member secretary of KSBB, the policy will include even the legal implication.
"The first thing that we will be engaging in is to create awareness and will inculcate in the stakeholders that every sector has a duty to contribute towards conservation."
Big challenge for workers' health In Company and industrial Area
The entire routine of Pawan Singh, who works at the paint shop of Maruti Suzuki, the country's la
In IPL 2022, the 39th match of the season will be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and
CISF keeps safe forgetful Metro commuter's jewellery
New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) A forgetful Metro commuter had good reason to be thankful to the Centr
Former Rajasthan minister and Congress MLA from Sangod Bharat Singh have written to Prime Ministe
Mamata Assures Action over Varsity Officials Assault
Kolkata, Feb 19 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday assured strong actio
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the meeting of G-20 Foreign Ministers on Thursday. During
There has been a tremendous play in the daily death toll from Corona. Due to this game of figures
The girl who slipped from scooty, accused innocent boy, of what to do if false FIR is registered?
A video is becoming quite viral on social media. In which a person is driving a scooty and a woma
Russia Ukraine War Update: 40 million people forced to leave their homes after Russia attack
Since the February 24 attack on Ukraine by Russian military forces, 14 million people in Ukraine
HPL Closure not Affecting IOC much
Kolkata, Jan 16 (IANS) State-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Friday said the closure of West