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Formulation of laws on access to biological resources discussed

ISLAMABAD: A meeting was held here on Thursday at the Plant Genetic Resources Institute of National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) to formulate legislation regulating access to biological resources and community development.

The meeting aimed at conservation of the biological diversity, indigenous knowlege, 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.

The meeting, chaired by NARC Director General, Dr Ali Asghar Hashmi, was attended by various stakeholders like Ministry of Environment and Local Bodies, IUCN, Comstech, Pakistan Science Foundation, and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, according to a press release of the PARC.

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

The participants also looked into the risk assessment of the endangered/rare species and the habitant devastation of the organisims. 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 bio diveristy, inventions, innovations, and indigenous knowledge.

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.

It was also agreed that there will be a national coordinating body to have an overview of all predictable consequences of the legislation in making.

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