| Popis: |
Biodiversity conservation is essential for maintaining ecological balance among different living forms of the planet and for self-sustaining growth in crop production processes. Plant genetic resources (PGR) comprise one of the most crucial components of agro biodiversity, which sustains humankind by meeting its demands of food, fodder, fibre and fuel. In addition to ensuring food security, protecting environment and reviving lost resources, the heightened PGR related activities are also fuelling the development of new industrial products as well as new research breakthroughs. Recent developments in molecular biology and biotechnology are adding new dimensions to the utilization pattern of biodiversity as the unit of utilization has been scaled down to DNA level. Even though all the political boundaries of the world are not equally blessed with this most essential life-supporting gift from nature, its just availability for humankind is needed. The immensely rich Indian gene centre with 12 mega bio diversity centres, harbours two Vavilovian centres of origin/centres of diversity of crop plants. The extent of utilization of PGR has not been uniform across different countries. The developed countries are stock piling the rare wild species available anywhere along with hitherto unknown applications of them. These novel PGRs also offer scope for discovering new genes. Current conservation strategies emphasize more on in situ conservation including participatory plant breeding. Concerted international efforts are underway to streamline and regulate the accessibility of PGRs at global level. In addition to trade related intellectual property rights system, other recent developments viz., inequitable nature of free access, plant breeder’s rights, convention on biological diversity, prior informed consent and global action plans are also discussed. |
