$50m for biodiversity conservation

Amid the controversy over allocation of resources for biodiversity by developed and developing nations, India has decided to allocate $50 million (about Rs 275 crore) towards biodiversity conservation. In addition, the country would also allocate similar amount to help other developing nations conserve biodiversity.

Addressing the representatives of about 190 countries at the opening plenary of the high-level segment of the 11th Conference of Parties (COP-11) on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), prime minister Manmohan Singh said the funds thus allocated would be used towards capacity building.

Calling the allocation of resources as ‘Hyderabad Pledge’, Singh said, “We will use these funds to enhance the technical and human capabilities of our national and state mechanisms to attain the Convention on Biological Diversity objectives. We have also earmarked funds to promote similar capacity building in developing countries.”

The three-hour tour of the prime minister to Hyderabad to attend the UN conference on biodiversity also saw further commitment in the form of Singh formally launching a plan to set up a biodiversity park in Hyderabad and also a pylon to commemorate the first ever UN conference in Independent India.

“In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to find common ground on environmental issues. This is unfortunate given that there is today a much higher global awareness on environmental risks and concerns. It is this consciousness that should provoke us to greater action even as we cope with the pressures of the current economic downturn,” Singh said.

Explaining the traditional biodiversity practices in India to several mayors of various global cities and ministers of various countries, Singh said the Indian traditional systems of agriculture and medicine depend on plant and animal biodiversity and conserving the wild ancestors and relatives of the cultivators would be of paramount importance.

“We believe that the treasure trove of traditional knowledge should be used for the benefit of all humankind rather than for private profit. We will continue to work to strengthen our institutions to record this knowledge to value its science and to provide benefits to its custodians.”

However, the conference has been deliberating on the issue of genetically modified crops and other living modified organisms. The developing nations and several NGOs and civil society members have been opposing the efforts of the governments in promoting the usage of GM crops.

Indicating at the government’s thought on handling the issue, he said, “Indian farmers have always believed in the free use of seeds. The protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act of India confers intellectual property to farmers through registration of seed varieties..”