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PBR
Process
Step
1: Site selection and preparatory works.
Step
2: Sensitisation and Environment building.
Step
3: Documentation.
Step
4: Approval by the Gramsabha.
Step
5: Scientific Validation.
PBR
Process
The PBR process is
initially a process of developing an inventory of biodiversity of an
area and the knowledge systems associated with this biological
diversity. In a way, it is an information collection process.
However, how the information is collected is the issue. PBR
is essentially a people's document. Therefore, it should have the
ownership of the local people such that they can call it as their
own document. A document of the rich diversity that they cohabit
with, use at the same time nurture; of their own knowledge linked
with this diversity that they can take pride in. All this would
require that these local communities become part of the entire
documentation process. The process itself should be empowering
enough soliciting functional participation of these communities at
every step. Each of the steps of the process are:-
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Step
1: Site selection and preparatory works
The first step in
the process is to delineate the work area. We all have limited
resources both human and material and therefore we have to
prioritise and phase out the PBR process. However, in the long run
we have to ensure that each village has its own PBR.
We can start with a
cluster of around five villages in the beginning. Once we have
developed PBR in these villages we can go on adding new clusters
contiguous to the first cluster. This first cluster would serve as a
node for upscaling as well as a learning laboratory. For selecting
sites for the first phase:
- Demarcate a area that is representative of the
ecosystem of the region
- Select an area that has rich biological diversity
- Select a cluster of 5-6 contiguous villages so as to
form a cluster
Once the site
have been selected, preliminary works can be initiated in the
villages. These can be in the form of informal meetings, meetings
village leaders and initiating a informal dialogue on biodiversity
and biodiversity conservation. An important task during this stage
is to identify knowledge resource persons. These knowledge resource
persons or knowledge individuals are members of the community who
hold sufficient knowledge of one or another aspect of biological
diversity. These can be farmers who are practicing traditional
agriculture, forest produce collectors, local medicine men, a
cattle-rearer or a artisan or a old men and women. These would play
a important role in the documentation process.
Along with
these we can also identify enthusiastic young persons who can help
us in the entire process. These we can call as 'Animators' as they
will animate us, will do our job along with us and in our absence.
It is not difficult to find young persons with basic education in
any village. Though their education may not be put to use by them at
this moment. And among these their are a few who have the zeal to
"do something for our village". These can then be trained
as 'Animators'. These would be our friends in the documentation
process. Selecting 3-4 animators in each of the village will develop
a local human resource base with almost similar capacities as us.
The next stage
is to develop an environment in the villages so that the
documentation process is facilitated. To initiate a dialogue among
the villagers on the biological diversity, biodiversity conservation
and concerns in biodiversity conservation is the objective of this
stage. This can be achieved through variety of means. General
meetings can be held in the villages discussing the biodiversity of
the area, its role in livelihood and food security, rationale of and
issues in biodiversity conservation etc. The knowledge resource
persons here will be our agents and sheath anchors during the
discussions imparting biodiversity literacy.
Visual
mediums always have an advantage when it comes to working with rural
people. Thus, an exhibition showcasing the biodiversity, associated
knowledge and culture can be a better way for achieving the
objectives. Collection of traditional varieties of seeds, medicinal
herbs and shrubs, musical instruments and household items made from
biodiverse resources all can be displayed in the exhibition. Local
folk artforms viz. dances and music illustrating the human-nature
interface can create a overall ambience. These exhibitions can be in
individual villages or at some central place. Mobile exhibition is
another way that can be organised in the form of a Yatra. Even the
form of the events can be decided upon discussions with the
villagers themselves. They can then take various organisational
responsibilities; the whole process facilitated by identified
knowledge resource persons, animators and other village leaders.
This will enhance ownership of the people in the process. Even the
name of exhibition or the Yatra should be decided by the people. All
this will give an opportunity for the local people to come face to
face with the rich diversity, appreciate its importance in all walks
of life and create the platform to go about the rigorous and
in-depth information collection process of Step 3.
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Step 3: Documentation
Although
we would have gathered a lot of information during the sensitisation
and environment building, we now have to initiate deep probing on
the various aspects of biodiversity related information. Along with
the knowledge individuals and the animators we would initiate a
process of rigorous probing for information with respect to PBR
contents. The checklist of information elements would help us in
collecting right information. The detailed step-by-step process with
tools and methodologies is described in Chapter 5. After the first
round of data collection we have to sit back and collate the
information under the various heads. We will now have the Zero Draft
of the PBR. Though we would have taken every all the care in the
data collection process we may miss out something. So we again take
the checklist and assess data sufficiency. Do we have all the
information that is needed?
Then follows
the second round of data collection. We ensure that no data element
is left out now. Integration of this data into the first draft will
give us the First Draft. Now we take this draft to the villagers and
once again discuss the information collected.
If there are any changes suggested, we incorporate these in
the First Draft and this gives us the Final Draft of the PBR.
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Step
4: Approval by the Gramsabha
The
Final Draft is now to be placed with the Gramsabha. A meeting of the
Gramsabha need be called for this. During the meeting, the document
be readout to the quorum and agreement be sought on the contents.
Upon consent of the Gramsabha the same need be minutized. With the
seal of the Gramsabha we will have the PBR of the village.
Step
5: Scientific Validation
At
the completion of stage 4 we have a document that inventorizes the
biodiversity of the village and biodiversity related knowledge and
practices. This is a document of the people, done by the people and
for the people. While the document is high on the people’s front,
the same can not be said for the scientific rigour. We now have to
make it a widely accepted document especially with respect to
concerns of IPR issues. Therefore we now have to translate this
information into scientifically accepted terms. While validation of
knowledge is a long-term process, the task now is to translate it
into scientific terminology. Academic institutions in the area and
‘para-taxonomists’ would help us in translating this peoples
document into scientific terms. Upon this translation we will have
the PBR of the village.
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