Government of Telangana has been encouraging greenery and taking steps to increase greenery over last eight years. Government has been involved in creating plantations inside and outside notified forests and other areas. Now the workshop titled “Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Forest Genetic Resource Conservation & Management” on 9th December, 2022at Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI) Hyderabad, Telangana has been organised to emphasize the need and technique involved in precision tree farming which will give more income to the farmers and bringing more income yielding and fast-growing species and also to meet the demand of the wood industry and domestic wood requirements.
In the workshop, the eminent scientists namely Dr. R. Vasudeva (Dean, College of Forestry (Sirsi), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad), Dr.A. Balasubramanian (FC&RI, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University),Dr. E. V. Anoop (Dean, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University), Dr. R. Parimalan (Senior Scientist, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi), Shri. Abhilash Damodaran, IFS (Conservator of Forests (IT), Himachal Pradesh cadre) have attended and delivered the lectures.
While commencing the Seminar, the Chair Person Smt. Priyankaa Varghese IFS (Dean, Forest College and Research Institute – Mulugu) has informed that themain objective of the seminaris to create awareness about various IP tools available for forest genetic resource conservation and management. Dr.ManoranjanBhanja IFS (Rtd.) (Guest of Honour) has lectured on the works taken by the State forest department on development of various genetic resources, its conservation and management. Dr.Neeraja Prabhakar (Chief Guest) – Vice Chancellor, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, has addressed the gathering about the biodiversity of India vis-à-vis the Globe and stressed the importance of conservation of the biodiversity for posterity.
Dr. R. Vasudeva delivered a lecture on “Genetic resource and traditional knowledge management under the IPR regime”. He has detailed about the Nagoya Protocolon Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization. Informed that the worth of genetic resources from various products is almost equivalent to that of Petro Chemicals and Software & Hardware, but unaccounted, and also the ecosystem services are not accounted for. Various examples of commercialisation of genetic resources and the related legal issues explained. Further emphasized that these resources are to be mapped and assessed, protocols developed for their sustainable utilisation and patents obtained.
Dr. A. Balasubramanian delivered a lecture on “Varietal protection for trees: descriptors and test guidelines”. He has emphasized the technological interventions for plantation productivity, as the demand for wood is increasing every year. The high-quality & yielding varieties of various species to be identified through morphological characters which are manifestation of the genes, and the descriptors for each species to be formulated. These varieties are multiplicated through tissue culture and cultivated through precision farming for shortening the rotation and early income. Market linkages for the products to be established.
Dr. E. V. Anoop presented a case study on “Geographical indications: a success story of Nilambur Teak” and the uniqueness of the Nilambur teak, its quality and other characters. Geographical Indications prevent unfair competition in trade on a particular product and avert misleading about the real origin of the goods.
Dr. R. Parimalan delivered a lecture “Role of genomics in forest genetic resource management”. Shri. Abhilash Damodaran, IFS wrapped-up the session with a discussion on the practical aspects of forest genetic resource management – “Managing forests for biodiversity: going beyond traditions”.
