One of the major concepts of conservation of biodiversity on the
International and National level is “equitable sharing of benefits arising out of uses of
genetic resources”. The main instrument for ensuring this in India is documenting
biodiversity along with traditional knowledge in the form of People’s Biodiversity
Register (PBR). The PBR database reveals that a large number of Traditional Rice
Varieties are being maintained, till date, by the farmers on their own. It is reported that
467 traditional varieties are still in cultivation in the fields of West Bengal, against a
number of nearly 5000 that existed 50 years back in the state. Protection of Plant
Varieties and Farmers’ Right (PPV&FR) Act 2001 [1] offers rights to the farmers that is
akin to some degree to Biological Diversity Act, 2002. West Bengal Biodiversity Board
has taken initiative to build synergy between these two Acts. As per Section 14-19 of
the PPV & FR Act, the process of registration of varieties in the name of concerned
farmer/group of farmers from different parts of the state has been initiated which would
provide them a right to get adequate compensation from those who develop the new
varieties for commercial benefits using the traditional ones. These two complementary
acts may change the scenario of “Access and Benefit Sharing” provisions, particularly
in the agricultural sector.
Keywords: Access Benefit Sharing, Biodiversity Act, CBD, equitable sharing,
farmer’s varieties, People’s Biodiversity Register, PPV& FR Act, Rice, traditional
knowledge.
