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Body to frame law for access to biological resources soon

AMER SIAL

ISLAMABAD: A national coordinating body will be formed to formulate legislation regulating access to biological resources and community development.

Decision to this effect was taken in a meeting at the 'Plant Genetic Resources Institute' on Wednesday.

The meeting aimed at conservation of the biological diversity, indigenous knowledge, innovations and practices of local community in line with the emerging international requirements of protection of sovereignty of our country over its biological resource base.

A preliminary working paper was presented defining the various parameters of legislation i.e. scope, regulatory body, authority and custodianship related to biodiversity inclusive of human beings, plants, livestock and lower organisms.

The participants also looked into the risk assessment of the endangered/rare species and the habitat devastation of the organisms.

Emphasis was laid on community rights, the benefit sharing and the possible institutional arrangement for smooth implementation of the legislation under preparation.

It was opined that there should be a central registration system for all the biodiversity, inventions, innovations, and indigenous knowledge.

The participants also highlighted the various side issues and the existing acts and laws which should find place in the legislation, such as conservation strategy, environmental protection laws, biosafety, wild life protection, phytosanitary laws etc.

To have a circumspective information base, it was proposed to establish a National Information System, procedure of fund raising and possible sanctions and penalties to be imposed as a consequence of implementation of the legislation.

The meeting was attended by various stakeholders like Ministry of Environment and Local Bodies, IUCN, Comstech, Pakistan Science Foundation and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council.