Survey of Illegal Plant Genetic Resources Transfer through Borders of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia: The Case of Sherkole and Kurmuk Check Points
Journal Title: Journal of Plant Science and Research - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 2
Abstract
One of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) target to realize the mission of reducing pressures on biodiversity is “reduction of unsustainable utilization of biodiversity and ecosystem services”. Thus ultimately tackles and controls illegal movement of biological resources of the region. Therefore, the objective of this study is to survey the current status, routes, impact, means, involved actors and management of illegal access to genetic resources particularly in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Asosa and Metekel Zone. Data were collected from a total of 92 informants selected purposively from Kumruk District and Sherkole (Gizen) district of Asosa Zone governmental officials, community elders, and custom offices. Semi structured interviews, structured questioners; focus group discussion and document analysis were used for data collection. 95.6% of the informants reported that genetic resources are illicitly transferred from Ethiopia through Sudan and South Sudan to Kenya and Egypt. The local communities were the responsible actors involved (40.385%) in the illegal access to biological resources followed by transboundary travelers (35.385%). 26.9% of the respondents reported that plants, animals and their derivatives have been illegally transferred to neighboring countries and (16.8%) of them said that animals have been illegally transferred to neighboring countries. 43.7% of the informants stated that the overall multiple impact and trend of illegal access to genetic resources in the future would become high and increased sharply respectively and 42.9% of them said that the current status and trend of illegal access to genetic resources would be intermediate and constant trend respectively. The result revealed that considerable amount of biological resources around Benishangul Gumuz Regional State (BGRS) has been subjected to piracy through both check points and hidden roots, which will have a probability of intermediate continual impact in the countries biodiversity in the future if appropriate measures are not taken. Therefore, border checkpoints should be strengthens in human capacity and facilities to monitor whether Prior Informed Consent (PIC), Mutual Agreed Term (MAT), Multilateral System and other legal requirements of a particular permit are fulfilled and to undertake technical control. Besides, authoritative and concerned governmental Institution of the two countries (South Sudan, Ethiopia and Sudan) should work cooperatively to curve out the ecological and economic effects of illegal access to genetic resources by developing and implementing further proper controlling intervention techniques.
Authors and Affiliations
Dereje Mosissa
Keywords
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