Revolutionising bio-cultural research
'Western' science has treated the knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities as a resource to be exploited. Now, a more collaborative relationship between the two is being forged. The most remarkable development is the return of 420 potato varieties to the Quechuas of Peru by a scientific establishment
Are we missing the 2010 target?
The Convention on Biological Diversity set out to significantly reduce, by 2010, the rate of biodiversity loss, and simultaneously contribute to poverty alleviation. Fifteen years on, the only significant achievement may be the setting up of many new protected areas which, by restricting access to community resources, could end up further impoverishing communities, says Ashish Kothari
Knowledge documentation: Kiss of death, or new lease of life?
The Indian government is planning a major initiative to document all traditional knowledge on biodiversity and natural resources in order to safeguard against biopiracy. Notwithstanding its many potential benefits, without inbuilt safeguards this move could prove to be the undoing of traditional knowledge, says Ashish Kothari
Saving conservation laws from the conservationists!
The two petitions that have been lodged with the Supreme Court against the Forest Rights Act 2006 could undermine not just the FRA but many of our conservation and environmental laws, undoing decades of hard work by conservationists, says Ashish Kothari
A hundred dead gharials and the Gaia effect
Over 100 gharials mysteriously died in the Chambal river recently, possibly poisoned by toxins. This points to the fact that wildlife conservation will simply not survive if we concentrate only on a few islands called 'protected' areas, writes Ashish Kothari
Happy New Year?
We are beginning 2008 with a heady mix of tigers, tribals, state terrorism in the guise of 'development', and the occasional triumph of the public will. What will prevail as the year unfolds? A new monthly column by Ashish Kothari on the politics of biodiversity will assess whether we're moving further towards, or away from, ecological suicide
