• Recognize our Bargur cattle, Malai Erumai (hill buffalo) and associated
traditional knowledge as set out in the Lingayayts Biodiversity Register and to
include it in the Peoples Biodiversity Register (under Rule 22(6) of the Biological
Diversity Rules);
• Facilitate the setting up of Biodiversity Management Committees in Bargur
Panchayat where we live and to support these Committees in ensuring the
conservation and sustainable use of our breed diversity and traditional knowledge
(as per section 41 of the National Biodiversity Act);
• Strengthen in situ conservation of breeds viz Bargur cattle, Malai Erumai / hill
buffalo of the Lingayats and include them in the BMC being initiated by the
government (under sections 36 and 41 of the National Biodiversity Act).
• Advise the Central Government and coordinate the activities of the State
Biodiversity Board to protect the customary grazing rights of the Lingayats and
eradicate Lantana camara 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 (under section 36 of the National
Biodiversity Act).
• Ensure that our prior informed consent (according to customary law) is obtained
before any decision are taken (such as tree planting in forests, solar powered
fencing, artificial insemination) 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 (under section 21 of the national
biodiversity Act);
We commit to protecting the biological diversity and
associated traditional knowledge
We commit to protecting the biological diversity of the region, our animal genetic
resources and associated traditional knowledge, by:
• Upholding our traditional roles as custodians of the forests and as sustainers of the
co-evolved forest ecosystem of the region;
• Protecting the forest against fires by regulating the grass growth by grazing and
by fighting forest fires when they break out;
• Sustaining the predator population in the forest through the customary offering of
some of our livestock as prey;
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