A workshop on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and conservation of traditional knowledge systems through patents and IPR regime was held at Vigyan Dham of the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) here on Tuesday.

Speakers informed that the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) Indo-German Biodiversity Programme along with the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai and the State Biodiversity Boards including Uttarakhand are implementing the ABS Partnership Project. The aim of the project is to create awareness among stakeholders on Biodiversity Act 2002, vis-à-vis Access and Benefit Sharing. Owing to its rich biodiversity, the state of Uttarakhand has a large potential for ABS based livelihood improvement. The State biodiversity board has constituted around 900 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) for Access and Benefit Sharing of the resources available in the state.

Aeshita Mukherjee from GIZ said in the theme presentation that, the ABS partnership started in 2016, which supports the Indian Government in conservation of the country’s rich biological heritage. The project is implemented in three states-- Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand with the support at the centre through National Biodiversity Authority. She emphasised on benefits of ABS mechanism and patents/IPR issues to the people of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman of State biodiversity board, Rakesh Shah stressed on the need to conserve and sustain natural resources through ABS.

The UCOST director general Rajendra Dobhal, in his speech emphasised on needs of scientists and researchers in patenting and IPR issues under the Biodiversity Act, 2002. He also discussed clauses of conservation of Biodiversity Act, bio piracy and oral witnessing.

The Department of Science and Technology adviser R Saha interacted with the participants on process and mechanism of patents, IPR and certification, narrating his insight on handling the issues at Government of India level. He talked about many patent cases like the  turmeric and neem patents controversy. While finishing his address he expressed his concern over proprietorship of bio diverse resources and different aspects of IPR field.

Subject experts from different IPR sectors including RK Ravikumar from National Innovation Foundation, Sunita Tripathy from Jindal Global University and Anju Rawat from UCOST spoke at length on patents, IPR, geographical indicator and certification.