The Campaign for Community control over Biodiversity
A citizens campaign to ensure greater community control over biodiversity
Following the coming into force of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002,
the Biological Diversity Rules were notified in April 2004. The Act
establishes a regulatory system for the conservation and use of
biological resources and knowledge. However many panchayats and NGOs
feel that the Rules which give very limited powers to communities,
severely restricting their decision-making on local resources
therebyadversely affecting life and livelihoods. The Rules were also
seen as dilution of the Act, especially by undermining the role of
communities in biodiversity conservation. To mark their opposition,
over 200 panchayats from Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, and Uttaranchal passed resolutions rejecting the Rules and
asking for a different set of Rules that respected the central role of
village communities. They were joined in this demand by the People’s
Alliance for Livelihood Rights, Gene Campaign, Kalpavriksh, Green
Foundation, Parivartan, Navrachna, Deccan Development Society, Beej
Bachao Andolan, Delhi Forum, and Centre for World Solidarity.
The demand is that….
The rules notified by MOEF be withdrawn, and a process initiated to draft new Rules that would ensure protection of biodiversity and peoples’ rights. In particular, the framing of a new set of Rules should involve widespread consultation with village communities, NGOs, and independent experts.
Read documents on the campaign
Report of the meeting of the Release of the Information Pack on Biodiversity and IPRs and
the Campaign for community control over Biodiversity, 8-9 September 2006, Kolkatta, West Bengal
Report of the Farmer’s Meeting, “LAWS AND FLAWS: FARMERS’ QUESTIONS, FARMERS' ANSWERS,
14th-16th January 2007, Pastapur, Andhra Pradesh
Press release on International Day for Biodiversity, 29 Dec 2004
Letter to the Minister of Environment regarding concerns about the Biological Diversity Rules 2004 and the National Biodiversity Authority, 6 June 2004
Biodiversity Act and Rules : A note
Download the Biodiversity Act from the GRAIN website
Donwload the text of the Biodiversity Rules from the GRAIN website
The demand is that….
The rules notified by MOEF be withdrawn, and a process initiated to draft new Rules that would ensure protection of biodiversity and peoples’ rights. In particular, the framing of a new set of Rules should involve widespread consultation with village communities, NGOs, and independent experts.
Read documents on the campaign
Report of the meeting of the Release of the Information Pack on Biodiversity and IPRs and
the Campaign for community control over Biodiversity, 8-9 September 2006, Kolkatta, West Bengal
Report of the Farmer’s Meeting, “LAWS AND FLAWS: FARMERS’ QUESTIONS, FARMERS' ANSWERS,
14th-16th January 2007, Pastapur, Andhra Pradesh
Press release on International Day for Biodiversity, 29 Dec 2004
Letter to the Minister of Environment regarding concerns about the Biological Diversity Rules 2004 and the National Biodiversity Authority, 6 June 2004
Biodiversity Act and Rules : A note
Download the Biodiversity Act from the GRAIN website
Donwload the text of the Biodiversity Rules from the GRAIN website
