Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) was established under the Hidayatullah National University of Law, Chhattisgarh, Act, (No. 10 of 2003). It is recognized by the University Grants Commission u/s 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956, and also by the Bar Council of India u/s 7 (1) of the Advocates Act, 1961. HNLU is the first National Level Institute established in the new State of Chhattisgarh in the year 2003 and the sixth Law University in the country. HNLU has been ranked 5th in India Today Ranking 2021 and 51-100 on crisis management during COVID by the World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI) Ranking 2021 and 201-300 among the innovative and emerging Universities by WURI and is set to scale new benchmarks in the years to come.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arup Kumar Goswami, Chief Justice of High Court of Chhattisgarh is the Chancellor of the University. Prof. (Dr.) V. C. Vivekanandan, former MHRD Chair Professor of IP Law at NALSAR University and also former Dean of the Rajiv Gandhi School of Law, IIT Kharagpur and School of Law, Bennett University is the Vice-Chancellor of the University. Prof. (Dr.) Uday Shankar is the Registrar of the University.
CHHATTISGARH STATE BIODIVERSITY BOARD
Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board has been constituted by the State Government as per the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 notified by the Government of India. Chhattisgarh State Biological Diversity Rules, 2015 were notified by the State Government on 1st June 2015 under the provision of Section 63 (1) of Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Shri Rakesh Chaturvedi (I.F.S.), Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), C.G. Forest Department is the Chairman of the C.G. State Biodiversity Board and Shri Arun Kumar Pandey (I.F.S.), Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) is the Member Secretary of the Board.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
In the central part of India, the State of Chhattisgarh is richly blessed with forest and mines in around 135 sq. km of land. It has the 3rd largest forest area in India. Chhattisgarh is covered by deciduous and dry deciduous vegetation. Deciduous forests cover roughly 44% of the State. The forests and woodlands are home to many animals and species of birds like Gaur, Sambar, Blackbucks, Pahari Myna, etc. Teak, Sal, Salai, tendu, and Bamboo trees are mainly found in the State.
The State has many National Parks and Biosphere Reserves. Achanakmar- Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve has been recognized by UNESCO. Chhattisgarh is immensely rich in minerals. It is the highest producer of cement in India. It is a leading producer of coal, iron ore, tin ore, dolomite, bauxite, limestone, corundum, quartzite, garnet, alexandrite, diamonds, marble, etc.
In Chhattisgarh, about 80% of the population is rural and dependent on agriculture and agriculture-based small industries. Farmers still use traditional methods and rely more on Herbal farming. Medicinal rice and Chloroxylon produced in State are well known for their use. Though, the traditional knowledge of the people of the State needs recognition to a greater extent and adequate protection under the legal regime.
Traditional Knowledge is crucial to the conservation of biodiversity and its traditional uses. In pursuance of the Convention on Biological Diversity, In India Biological Diversity Act, 2002 has created a legal framework to protect the traditional knowledge and allows the community to derive benefit from sharing and commercialization of the same. It aimed to ensure that benefits arising out of the use of biological resources must be equitable.
Nevertheless, concerning India, it has been observed by UNDP that, “there is a need to strengthen institutional structures to implement the Biological Diversity Act as it will promote harmony, synergy, and linkages between conservation and management of biological diversity and associated traditional knowledge.” The effective implementation of the Act will ensure the empowerment of people and the conservation of resources.
Against this backdrop, to commemorate the World Nature Conservation Day from 27th-28th July 2022, Hidayatullah National Law University along with the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board is organizing a National Level Conference on Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity: Problems and Prospects.
STRUCTURE OF THE CONFERENCE
Part A: Panel Discussions
Part B: Paper Presentations
Part C: Field Visit (Tentative)
PARTICIPANTS
The conference aims to bring civil society, government agencies, academia, research scholars, and students to deliberate on the obstacles faced in preserving traditional knowledge. It will also include the discussions on the potential of the Biodiversity Act to promote traditional knowledge and the prospect of the Act to economically empower the community.
SUB-THEMES OF THE CONFERENCE
Articles / Research papers are invited on any of the following sub-themes:
- Legal protections for traditional knowledge and biodiversity
- Role of Institutions/Civil Society in the protection of Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity
- Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge
- Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity 03 Business and Biodiversity
- Corporate responsibility and Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Community Rights and International Framework
- Indigenous Knowledge and Environment Protection
- Traditional Knowledge and World Trade
These sub-themes are only suggestive and not exhaustive. Papers that are not covered under the above-mentioned sub-themes yet hold relevance in the thrust area may also be considered.
CALL FOR PAPERS
Research Papers/Articles in English are invited from Academicians, Professionals, Practitioners, Researchers, Students of law, social science and environmental science, and other stakeholders on the emerging issues and related areas on the broader sub-themes given above.
The Selected papers based on quality may be published in the form of an edited book with ISBN.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Deadline for the Submission of Full Paper along with Abstract: July 22, 2022
Intimation of Acceptance for Paper Presentation: July 23, 2022
Deadline for Registration & Fee Payment (only if the paper is accepted): July 24, 2022
Date of Conference: July 27-28, 2022
For More Details Click HERE