Unity in diversity

a meeting of the Convention on Biodiversity (cbd) will be held in February in Bangkok to discuss rules for international transfer of biological resources. In preparation, ministerial delegations of a group of developing countries called the Like Minded Megadiverse Countries (lmmc) met January 20-21 in New Delhi to develop a common position on biodiversity issues.

Healthy kya?

HERBAL BEER Looks, smells, even tastes like it. But is it beer?

Patent injustice

With the world becoming increasingly knowledge-driven, protecting the rich traditions of Asia and the Pacific region has assumed great significance. The incomplete mandate of the Doha Round of talks followed by the failure of the Cancun summit last year has widened an already existing divide between the developed and the developing nations on the issue.

Keeping up the tradition

Two hundred thousand traditional medicine practitioners of South Africa will be officially recognised as health-care professionals. So says a new legislation passed on September 9. According to health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the Traditional Health Practitioners Bill received near unanimous backing in the South African parliament. Under the new law, a council will be created which will issue licenses to traditional healers, and only those who are registered will be allowed to practice.

Ad hoc move?

the Orissa government has decided to promote prawn culture in seven coastal districts of the state. This move has the potential for inducing a bitter clash between big farmers and traditional fisherfolk, if undertaken without a foolproof blueprint.

Killing fields

aids is threatening the traditional agricultural practices of Mozambique, indicates a study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (fao). The finding is alarming, as more than 1.3 million people in the country are suffering from the disease.

Old is gold

a recent research is yet another proof of the fact that traditional knowledge is of immense help in areas where science has failed to infiltrate. During the study, traditional poultry farming practices of Karnataka and Kerala were assessed. The findings show that the traditional procedures immensely benefit areas bereft of veterinary services. Moreover, traditional knowledge empowers farmers to manage their flock in a cost-effective manner.

Home truths

Challenging the Indian Medical Heritage (eds) Darshan Shankar and P M Unnikrishnan Centre for Environment Education, Environment and Development Series Foundation Books, New Delhi Rs 600

No consensus

When deliberations began on May 13, 2004 the world's forest policy-makers thought that all was well at the fourth UN Forum on Forest meet (UNFF-4). But by midnight everything had collapsed: two resolutions were dropped and another significantly watered down. By next afternoon, the delegates were on their way home, half a day ahead of schedule -- a rare occurrence in multilateral negotiations. UNFF-4 held from May 3-14, 2004, in Geneva, Switzerland, had closed leaving many disappointed.

Saviour of songs

Komal Kothari 1929-2004 Renowned folk imagist Komal Kothari passed away in Jodhpur on April 20 after a prolonged bout with cancer. He was 75. Komalda, as everyone fondly called him, will be remembered for his extensive work on Rajasthan's folk music. Mention the three tribes of folk musicians, Langas, Manganiars and Kalbelias, and people will think of his institution, Rupayan, which he co-founded in 1964 to save Rajasthan's folk arts.