OVERVIEW
This protocol specifically:
• Sets out our biocultural values and explains how we, the Raika, have developed and preserved
unique breeds of livestock and traditional knowledge associated with them, and how our pastoral
lifestyle has developed the co-evolved ecosystem of Rajasthan’s forests which we have traditionally
conserved and sustainably used;
• Details our customary decision making process involved in providing free prior informed consent to
any actions that relate to our grazing rights, animal genetic resources and associated traditional
knowledge;
• Illustrates the disastrous impacts that our exclusion from previously communal grazing areas and
forests is having on our lives, livestock, genetic resources, traditional knowledge and the forest
ecosystem itself;
• Articulates our forest access rights and rights over our genetic resources and associated traditional
knowledge under Indian law;
• Calls upon the National Biodiversity Authority to:
• Recognize our local breeds and associated traditional knowledge as set out in the Raika
Biodiversity Register and to include it in the Peoples Biodiversity Register;
Facilitate the setting up of Biodiversity Management Committees under the local bodies
(Panchayats or Municipalities) where we live and to support these Committees in ensuring the
conservation and sustainable use of our breed diversity and traditional knowledge;
Strengthen in situ conservation of breeds of the Raika and include them in the BMC being
initiated by the government.
Advise the Central Government and coordinate the activities of the State Biodiversity Boards to
protect the customary grazing rights of the Raika so as to safeguard our traditional lifestyles
that ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the our breed diversity, associated
traditional knowledge and the local ecosystem;
Ensure that our prior informed consent (according to customary law) is obtained before any
decision are taken that affect our traditional way of life or access is granted to our breed
diversity and associated traditional knowledge for research or for commercial purposes, and
further ensure that we receive a fair and equitable share of the benefits arising from the
utilization of our breeds and traditional knowledge according to mutually agreed terms; and
• Calls on the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, specifically under Article 8(j) of
the Convention, to recognize the contribution of our traditional lifestyles to the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity in Rajasthan; and calls on the UN Food and Agriculture
Organization to recognize the importance of our animal genetic resources and to recognize livestock
keepers’ rights.
OUR BIOCULTURAL VALUES
Where we live: We are the Raika, an indigenous pastoral community who live in Rajasthan, North West
India. We number about 1m people, with the Maru Raika living across the State and the Godwad Raika
living in Pali, Jalore and Sirohi.
Despite the arid climate and the region’s dryland ecosystem, we have lived in the region for over 700
years rearing unique livestock and acting as custodians of the local environment.
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