XI LOK SABHA DEBATES,   Session IV (Budget) 

Monday , March 03, 1997 / Phalguna  12, 1918 (Saka)



Type of Debate: MATTERS UNDER RULE 377	

Title: Re: need to enact a legislation to preserve rich bio- diversity of the 
country.

TEXT :
 
DR.  PRABIN  CHANDRA  SARMA  (GUWAHATI):  There  is  an urgent need to enact a
Central legislation to preserve the country's rich biodiversity as large scale
biopiracy is taking place all over the country, especially in the  North-East,
which  is  one  of  the  most  ecologically  important spots of the world. The
precious wealth of  India's  forests  and  fields,  its  rich  biological  and
ecological  resources  are  being  plundered  by  foreign  companies and their
agents, causing loss of revenue worth crores of rupees to the country. India's
biological wealth is being  taken  out  of  the  country  to  earn  money  for
companies  in  European  and  American  countries.  Whether  it is the seed of
special varieties of rice and wheat which are going to American seed companies
or the orchids of the North-East out of which European floriculture  companies
are earning millions. Valuable medicinal plants found in our country are being
smuggled  out  and  patented by foreign companies. New Indian companies cannot
produce medicines out  of  many  Indian  plants  based  on  our  knowledge  of
Ayurveda,  Unani  and  Siddha because some American or European companies have
already taken a patent on Haldi, Tulsi,  Amla  or  Neem  etc.  The  North-East
region  which  is  rich in biodiversity has become a target of biopiracy. Last
year, a Japanese was caught, trying to smuggle out  several  rare  species  of
butterflies  at  Delhi  Airport;  but  he  had  to  be set free as there is no
legislation in our country to check such biopiracy.

	Other  countries  have  already   formulated   national   legislations
establishing their ownership over their biological resources. It is high time,
the  Government  of  India  also  rise to the occasion by formulating adequate
legislation in this regard.

								(ends)




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