Protection of plant varieties

Abstract

A group of people dwelling within a common territorial boundary having common ancestors and mores, believing in common morals, distinct of other similar groups which existed even before the concept of nation states is viewed as Tribe. More often the tribes and tribal are discussed with an attitude of holier than thou approach of regulating deforestations, tribal rights, ownership of tribal lands and what not but the question always persist; are we honest to ourselves when we argue on these. The tribal rights include ownership over both the land and the cherished biodiversity. The statutory provisions are in place for the protection of extant varieties of plants; those existing in the nature, whose ownership lies with the indigenous people which includes their beneficial usages which come as something which may be termed as traditional wisdom. The rapid deforestation is not only endangering the flora, diminishing the genome treasure and even bringing an end to the tribal. In this research paper an attempt is made to critically appreciate the statutory provisions related to the protection of extant varieties of plants and to find out the measures which may be taken for achieving the legislative intent.