People’s Biodiversity Register: Documentation, Protection, and Conservation of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in Sikkim Himalaya, India

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognizes the sovereign right of a country to its biological resources and the associated traditional knowledge (TK) and obligates the signatory parties to have their country-specific laws for their conservation and protection and to regulate access to it by a foreign entity. The documentation of the People’s Biodiversity Register is one of such efforts which India is taking under the provision of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 to fulfill its obligation and commitment to the CBD, duly involving the local communities or the traditional scientists. The People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) contains a database on the biodiversity of an area including information on TK of the indigenous and local communities on the use pattern, resource status, and their management vis-à-vis identifying the area of biodiversity and cultural significance. Ideally, PBR documentation is a holistic approach ensuring biodiversity conservation and protection of TK which also formally recognizes the knowledge of the indigenous and local communities and their right to regulate the use and access to the biological resources. 196 PBRs have been documented in Sikkim that contain information on biological resources (BRs) and associated TK which show potential for Access and Benefit Sharing. The Sikkim Himalayan region is a part of the world’s repositories of diverse BRs in terms of plant and animal genetic resources and associated TK. The region has immense potential in the production of medicines and food, and if this can be developed and utilized using proper contract and monitoring systems, substantial benefits will accrue to benefit regional food and medical security, while preserving biodiversity and leading to improvements in the lives of local and indigenous communities. PBR documentation can form the basis to safeguard the traditional rights and interests of the indigenous and local communities, over the biological resources they live with and ensure equitable benefit sharing.