Reviewing existing documentation of IK of biodiversity in South Asia and the customary laws and practices in India, to assess what protection is offered to IK of biodiversity.

Identifying and examining existing international instruments and legal mechanisms in India, for the protection of IK of biodiversity.

Identifying potential mechanisms for protection of IK of biodiversity at national and local levels, including IPR tools and sui generis legislation

IK Documentation in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttaranchal

Gene Campaign has documented biodiversity and associated indigenous knowledge amongst three tribal populations: the Oraons in Jharkhand, the Bhils of Madhya Pradesh, and the Tharus of the Terai region in Uttaranchal. The objective was to document the bioresources being used by the local community for various purposes. Bioresources being used in human health care, veterinary health care and to control crop diseases were documented. Bioresources used by these communities in arts and craft were also documented.

The main objective of the documentation was to establish the IK held by these communities as their intellectual property. It is hoped that the documentation would help in challenging IK based patents taken by private companies, check biopiracy and enable communities to get a fair share of the benefits, when the documented IK is used commercially.

The fieldwork was carried out by young members of the community. Tribal boys and girls who had finished the school were trained to conduct the survey. Village elders, traditional medical practitioners and healers were consulted in the collection and understanding of information.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks was the fact that the knowledge was degraded and devalued to a large extent in the eyes of the community. Convincing them of the need to document and conserve their knowledge was therefore a challenge.

In addition to the collection of information on IK, Gene Campaign also conducted training and awareness generation programmes for making these communities aware of the threat of biopiracy, the implications of IPRs and various national and international developments concerning the protection of biodiversity and IK. They were also informed of their right to a share of benefits derived from the commercialization of IK.

The documentation has been deposited with Ministry of Science & Technology Government of India. It will not be published until there is a legal regime established that would grant ownership of IK to the communities whose property it is.