CHENNAI: Since the inception of the National Biodiversity Act, 2002, the government has received nearly 2,000 applications requesting access to biological resources, associated knowledge and intellectual property rights native to India.
“Biological resources and knowledge of Indian origin cannot be used without clearance from National Biodiversity Authority (NBA),” said B Meenakumari, chairperson of NBA, an autonomous body of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, speaking at the sidelines of the 14th foundation day of the NBA.
Nearly 500 applications have been granted since 2006 for access to bioresources for research or commercial purpose, transfer of research results, approval for obtaining intellectual property rights and third party transfers, according to the data released by the NBA. Chennai National Green Tribunal member Justice P Jyothimani said that NBA can be treated as “quasi-judicial” body that can take cognisance of cases of theft of natural resources or intellectual property associated with the biodiversity of the country. “Other countries have got patent for products generated in our country.
The NBA has the authority to prevent this from happening. For example, Brasif SA, a Brazilian company has signed an MoU with us for accessing 3,000 samples of endosperm to improve the quality of cattle breeding in their country. The fund given by the company will be transferred back to research and work associated to the same field,” the official said. The company has sought permission to use the endowsperm of three native breeds: Ongol, Gir and Kongrej. Established in 2003, the NBA performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory functions on conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits of use.