ZIRO, Nov 24: A ‘training-cum-awareness programme’ on ‘the role of intellectual property rights in indigenous knowledge system’ was conducted here in Lower Subansiri district by the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) on Sunday.
The programme was conducted under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies-sponsored project, ‘Documentation of indigenous knowledge system of selected major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and the relevance of intellectual property right to IKS’ by Dr Govinda Pangging, Prof CL Sharma, and Prof MB Sharma of the NERIST’s forestry department, in collaboration with the Achukuru Welfare Society of Ziro.
During the sessions, emphasis was given on the importance of intellectual property rights in protecting the indigenous knowledge system through patent, trademark, geographical indication, etc.
The academicians also stressed on maintaining “the people’s biodiversity register” to record and protect the traditional knowledge systems of the indigenous communities under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and the Biological Diversity Rules, 2004.
