Special parallel session on "Scope and Challenges in Implementing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in India"

05 Apr, 2017

14:00-15:00hrs; Board Room, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun

At the XIX Commonwealth Forestry Conference, GIZ had a special parallel event on the “Scope and Challenges in Implementing ABS in India”. Apart from the Key note address, special presentation on ABS Global Perspective and Abs-Initiative, an open discussion was held on the topics as under:

• International dialogues and exchange on ABS implementation.
• Overview on the experiences and outcomes of ABS projects in other countries.
• Obligations of users /industrial partners/researchers under the Biodiversity Act vis-à-vis ABS.

Group Picture after the session in front of the FRI building

The session witnessed key participation of:

• Dr. B. Meenakumari, Chairperson NBA Chennai.
• Dr. Rakesh Shah IFS, Chairman, Uttarakhand State Biodiversity Board.
• Dr. R. S. Rana, Non-officio member NBA.
• Dr. AK Sharma, Scientist and Head NWFP Division, FRI Dehradun.
• Mr. Praveen Deshmukh, CII Representative.
• Ms. Kanchi Kohli, Legal Researcher.
• Mr. Suhel Al-Janabi, ABS Initiative, GIZ Germany.

Around 86 participants attended the session, consisting of senior offcials form State Biodiverisity Board of Maharashtra, Uttarakhand & Tamil Nadu; ABS Partnership Project team members; Indian/Foreign delegates of CFC 2017; and scientists & research fellows of FRI & WII.

The key highlight of the session were presentation on ‚‘System of governance of Access & Benefit Sharing (ABS) and existing national legal framework in India for ABS Implementation‘ by Dr R S Rana, non-officio member NBA. Followed by presntations on ABS Global Perspective & ABS Initative by Dr. Suhel al-Janabi, GIZ & Progress of GIZ-ABS India Partnership Project by Dr Aeshita Mukherjee, GIZ.

Second half of the session consist of panel discussion on topics such as, Role of NBA in implementing ABS with SBBs in India; Achievements & Challenges of SBBs in finalising ABS; Obligation of Researchers under BD Act vis-a-vis ABS; Role of CII in bridging gap between Industries and NBA on ABS; and Beyond benefit claimers: community role in ABS decision making.

The conclusive remarks of the session were:

• Emphasize to be given on making the structure of benefit sharing mechanisms and the cyclic process that follow, very sustainable & resilient.
• Local level participation needs to be enhanced for better implementation of ABS.
• Fair trade certification practices shall be encouraged.
• Identification and development of ABS specific sustainable value chains.
• Awareness generation and Capacity building of BMCs and other stakeholders.

Involvement of forest department and other relevant government departments in planning, resource mobilisation and benefit sharing.

Read here what The pioneer" reported about the session.

For more information on the XIX CFC, please click here.