From b0d1satva at yahoo.com Fri Jan 25 08:20:32 2008 From: b0d1satva at yahoo.com (Bodi Satva) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:20:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Greenlist] Fwd: Open Letter on GE Crops: Why is the 'Custodian' of India's biodiversity supporting an anti-conservation agenda? Message-ID: <748496.37377.qm@web31913.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Background Note: Many of you may have seen the news reports of Prof Kannaiyan, the Chairperson of National Biodiversity Authority going around promoting GE crops as the only olution, denouncing NGOs as ignorant and with ulterior motives etc. This is a very arrogant and offending statement, which is totally unacceptable. To condemn this rresponsible and unacceptable behaviour from the "custodian" of ndia's iodiversity, so to speak, there is an open letter drafted by many groups which will be released n 25th (the day after) to the media. PLEASE ENDORSE THE LETTER by writing to "Kavitha Kuruganti" < kavitha.kuruganti@ gmail.com> and "Mashqura" < mashqura at gmail. com>, Thanks. Umendra Dutt OPEN LETTER TO CHAIRMAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY AUTHORITY WHY IS THE "CUSTODIAN" OF INDIA'S BIODIVERSITY SUPPORTING AN ANTI- CONSERVATION AGENDA? To Dr. S. Kannaiyan Chairman National Biodiversity Authority Chennai 23rd January 2008 Subject: Immediate withdrawal of highly biased and anti conservation public statements supporting enetic Engineering (GE) and invoking Section 36.4 (ii) of the Biological Diversity Act Sir, It is with deep shock that we read of your comments made at the National Seminar on Biodiversity, Bioresources and Biotechnology for Sustainable Livelihood of the Rural Community held at Chennai last week. Several newspapers have quoted you saying that " genetically modified crops were the only answer to increase the production and productivity and to solve malnutrition problem in the country", and that "I am surprised to note that many non-governmental organizations are shouting from rooftops against the introduction of GM crops. They are either ignorant about the ground realities or have some ulterior motive". We are even more concerned that these comments have been made by you in your official capacity as the Chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority which has a critical role in conservation of biological diversity and protection of people's resources and knowledge to feed and heal themselves in ecologically benign and culturally appropriate ways. We would like to draw your attention to the very provision of the Biological Diversity Act itself which acknowledges the potential hazards of genetically modified organisms: Section 36.4 (ii) of the Biological Diversity Act 2002, states that: `The Central Government shall undertake measures to regulate, manage or control the risks associated with the use and release of living modified organisms resulting from biotechnology likely to have adverse impact on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and human health'. As one of the key custodians of this law you ought to be advising the Central Government on prevention of GMOs as a precautionary measure rather than risk the rich and mega-diverse biodiversity of India and with it the culture and livelihoods of millions of people. Simply put GE (genetic engineering) is antithetical to diversity. It not only perpetrates monocultures, but also unleashes non-tested unnatural products that could cause genetic pollution also compromising the food sovereignty of our people with increasing dependencies on corporate-sponsored "science". If it is the promotion of GE that is on the agenda of the apex body whose role is for the conservation and sustainable use; then it does not leave communities and peoples movements with much faith in the institution. It is not clear by what authority, in what capacity and with what evidence are you concluding that GM crops are the only solution. Your statements have also confirmed civil society's apprehensions in registering Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and making Peoples' Biodiversity Registers (PBRs). With this approach we feel that the network of BMCs will be used to market GM crops into an already destroyed farming sector, over riding existing diversity in knowledge and resources. With your lack of confidence in your own peoples ways we do not think you can expect a reciprocal treatment. We therefore urge you to: 1. Immediately withdraw your highly biased statements that are unscientific and deeply disrespectful of our peoples' customs, traditions and practices 2. Render an apology to all the activists who are tirelessly struggling for an objective and independent assessment of genetic engineering in agriculture 3. Immediately invoke the spirit of clause Section 36.4 (ii) and immediately put a stay on grant of clearances for field trials and use of GE crops, as a precautionary conservation measure. If the above is not acceptable, kindly resign from the post of NBA Chairperson as people have lost their faith in the office whose bias is clearly supporting and safeguarding ideologies which are inherently against conservation. In anticipation, Sincerely, Name Organization State 1. Ashish Kothari Kalpavriksh Pune, Maharashtra 2. Devinder Sharma Forum for Biotechnology and Food Security New Delhi 3. Kanchi Kohli Kalpavriksh Delhi 4. Kavitha Kuruganti & G V Ramanjaneyulu Centre for Sustainable Agriculture Karnataka 5. P.V. Satheesh Deccan Development Society Andhra Pradesh 6. Shalini Bhutani GRAIN Delhi 7. Sridhar Radhakrishnan Thanal Kerala 8. Bharat Mansata, Earthcare Books 9. CC: Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, New Delhi Meena Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests K.Venkatraman, Member Secretary, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Chennai Chairpersons of all State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From shobana.ramkumar at gmail.com Sat Jan 26 04:27:09 2008 From: shobana.ramkumar at gmail.com (Shobana Ramkumar) Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:57:09 +0530 Subject: [Greenlist] open letter Message-ID: <200801261757.09547.shobana.ramkumar@gmail.com> To Greenlist Dear Ms Kavitha, On behalf of my organisation I fully endorse the ideas and feelings expressed about Mr. Kannaiyan's remarks on biodiversity. As a professional body of Geography teachers, we teach the children about aour natural heritage and all that we must do to preserve it. We are concerned that GE crops are replacing indigenous, natural varieties. As teachers, we are doing our best to inspire the children to care for the earth's biodiversity. With warm regards, Shobana Ramkumar Secretary, Association of Geography Teachers of India (Regd.) Chennai.