Thursday, July 21, 2022

Air pollution

Report on Air pollution in Bhiwadi town of Rajasthan

(Winter Season 2017-2020)

Introduction

Industrialization is on the increase and so is the environmental pollution due to emissions and waste discharges from the industries. Industrial pollution has the potential to cause irreversible reactions in the environment and may pose a risk to human health. Since the carrying capacity of the environment is not unlimited and some areas or ecosystems are more susceptible to adverse environmental impacts than others, the unplanned and haphazard location of industries might substantially increase the risk. It is desirable that for existing industrial areas stressed under high ambient pollution levels, a systematic and effective action plan is developed and implemented in a time-bound manner rather than considering the closure of the industries.

Air pollution is an important environmental component and requires an action plan that should be based on cause-effect analysis. However, this is not simple. The problem becomes more complex due to the multiplicity and complexity of the air polluting source mix, automobiles, generators, domestic fuel burning, roadside dust, construction activities, etc., which co-exist with industries.

Since the enactment of the Air Act 1981, air pollution control programs have focused on point and area source emissions, and many communities have benefited from these control programs. Nonetheless, most cities in the country still face continuing particulate non- attainment problems from aerosols of unknown origin (or those not considered for pollution control) despite the high level of control applied to many point sources. It is in the latter case that an improved understanding of source-receptor linkages is especially needed if cost-effective emission reductions are to be achieved. Determining the sources of airborne particulate matter is a difficult problem because of the complexity of the urban source mix. The problem is often compounded by the predominance of non-ducted and widely distributed area (fugitive) sources and the lack of understanding of the sources of secondary aerosol, their formation, and transport.

The city of Bhiwadi (28.21°N, 76.87°E; population: 1,04,921) in the state of Rajasthan has witnessed a high level of air pollution (http://cpcb.gov.in/caaqm), believed to have been caused from industrial emissions from large industrial areas (RIICO and Bhiwadi Phase I to IV Industrial area). The city has attracted many large industries because of government policies, being strategically situated in the Nation Capital Region (NCR), and a direct approach from NH-8. Moreover, Bhiwadi comes under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor mega- project which has brought investment from both government and private sectors. It is noteworthy that industries in Bhiwadi city co-exist with multiple activities in surrounding areas (Dharuheda, Tijara, etc) extending beyond the administrative boundary, which results in the overall degradation of air quality of the region.

The city witnesses high pollution levels; Source: Bhiwadi CAAQMS data). The national air quality index (NAQI) in Bhiwadi during the winter season is in the worst category, Critical (https://app.cpcbccr.com/AQI_India/). Therefore, there is a need to identify and quantify the sources and develop an air pollution control action plan to achieve NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards).

i) Sources of Air Pollution located in NCR

ENVIS had conducted a study on account of RSPCB on ‘Air Pollution Emission Inventory and Control Plan for Bhiwadi City’ in 2017-2020 and presented its final report in November 2020 which clearly mentioned all the identified sources of air pollution in Bhiwadi, their contribution and measures to control air pollution from these sources. As per the report following are the major sources of air pollution in Bhiwadi:-

Ø Road Dust

Ø Municipal solid waste burning

Ø Vehicles

Ø Construction & Demolition waste

Ø Hotels/Restaurants

Ø Domestic sector

Ø Industries & DG Sets.

As per Chairman, EPCA field visits and complaints received on SAMEER Complaints, major source of air pollution is municipal & industrial solid waste dumping & burning.

ii) Air Pollution Scenario in the City of Bhiwadi

The city of Bhiwadi has a complex industrial environment with respect to air pollution and faces severe air pollution of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, and NO₂. There are several prominent sources within and outside Bhiwadi contributing to pollution levels in ambient air; these pollutants can be taken as a surrogate of other pollutants also, as most of the pollutants coexist and have common sources.

Bhiwadi is considered as one of the major industrial hubs in the region. In addition to industrial and automobile pollution, there is a significant emission from fugitive sources. Clusters of small and medium scale industries are also responsible for air pollution. In most of the institutions, hotels, and offices, the diesel generators are used at the time of power failure. Unlike other cities, at several locations, garbage burning is a common practice; it is also seen that not only garbage burning, the industrial waste is also burnt at several places within the city, which can be an important contributor to air pollution. The road condition in the town is quite bad as roads are broken, poorly maintained and partially paved surfaces and it is observed that movements of the vehicle may cause non-exhaust road dust emission in a significant amount. The area outside the factories is poorly managed and has become a dumping ground of non-hazardous wastes. This report presents various air pollution control options and their effectiveness in improving air quality.

Observation

Ambient Air Quality

(A) Analysis of Air quality Data in terms of Specific Pollutants

Ambient Air (AQI) data of Bhiwadi city from September 2017 to December 2020 data: 06.00 a.m. to 06.00 a.m. The ambient air quality AQI data of Bhiwadi city from September 2017 to December 2020 for comparison of four years in various parameters such as PM₁₀, PM_2.5and AQI in winter season are presented in the Table 1.

Table 1 - Average concentration Monthly Air Quality Data in Bhiwadi City from September to February (2017-2020)

Months	2017-2018			2018-2019			2019-2020			2020
Months	PM₁₀ (µg/m³)	PM_2.5 (µg/m³)	AQI (µg/m³)	PM₁₀ (µg/m³)	PM_2.5 (µg/m³)	AQI (µg/m³)	PM₁₀ (µg/m³)	PM_2.5 (µg/m³)	AQI (µg/m³)	PM₁₀ (µg/m³)	PM_2.5 (µg/m³)	AQI (µg/m³)
September	295	105	272	201	68	177	117	54	118	177	78	184
October	360	171	364	348	128	317	233	94	226	333	160	331
November	392	223	394	386	165	380	295	145	320	371	196	386
December	346	175	352	374	179	369	278	150	303	323	180	350
January	364	163	349	280	158	314	231	120	266	-	-	-
February	346	165	337	223	123	266	216	121	272	-	-	-

Figure 1 - Trend of PM₁₀ of Air Quality Data in Bhiwadi City from September to February (2017-2020)

Figure 2 - Trend of PM_2.5of Air Quality Data in Bhiwadi City from September to February (2017-2020)

Figure 3 - Trend of AQI of Air Quality Data in Bhiwadi City from September to February (2017-2020)

It is observed that if compared with September to February 2017-2020 and 2020 (September to December) winter months at Bhiwadi. It may be inferred that higher pollution levels in comparison to previous year are due to meteorological conditions and perennial issue of deteriorated air quality during November in Bhiwadi, and not on account of fire-cracker bursting. On Deepawali day (14.11.2020), almost all the pollutants reported higher values as compared to 2019 Diwali day. Bhiwadi recorded increase in PM₁₀ and AQI are 329 µg/m³ and 344 µg/m³ indicating impact of firecracker bursting on Deepawali festival.

It is observed that if compared with September 2017 to December 2020 were found that Minimum values of PM₁₀, PM_2.5and AQI were 295µg/m³, 105 µg/m³ and 272 µg/m³ in 2017-2018 (Sept- Feb), 201 µg/m³, 68 µg/m³ and 177µg/m³ in 2018-2019 (Sept- Feb), 117 µg/m³, 54 µg/m³ and 118 µg/m³ in 2019-2020 (Sept- Feb) and 177 µg/m³, 78 µg/m³ and 184 µg/m³ 2020 (Sept-December), respectively.

It is observed that if compared with September 2017 to December 2020 were found that Maximum values of PM₁₀, PM_2.5and AQI were 392 µg/m³, 223 µg/m³ and 394 µg/m³ in 2017-2018 (Sept- Feb), 386 µg/m³, 179 µg/m³ and 380 µg/m³ in 2018-2019 (Sept- Feb), 295 µg/m³, 150 µg/m³ and 320 µg/m³ in 2019-2020 (Sept- Feb) and 371 µg/m³, 196 µg/m³ and 386 µg/m³ 2020 (Sept- December), respectively.

It was inferred that September have least pollution level due to meteorological conditions. It may be inferred that higher pollution levels in comparison to previous year are due to meteorological conditions and perennial issue of deteriorated air quality during November in Bhiwadi.

(B) Comparative study with Percentage reduction

1. Percentage reduction as compared to previous year from September to February (2017-2020) at Bhiwadi City

The air of percentage reduction in Bhiwadi city as compared to the previous year from September to February (2017-2020) is presented in Table 2. Most of the parameters, including all three, PM₁₀, PM_2.5and AQI have been observed to be higher by 2020 than in 2018-2019 and 2018-2019.

Table 2(a) - PRCENTAGE REDUCTION AS COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEAR FROM SEPTEMBER TO FEBRUARY (2017-2020)

Table 2(a): PRCENTAGE REDUCTION AS COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEAR FROM SEPTEMBER TO FEBRUARY (2017-2020)
	PM₁₀			PM_2.5			AQI
	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020
September	-32%	-42%	52%	-35%	-20%	44%	-35%	-33%	55%
October	-3%	-33%	42%	-25%	-26%	69%	-13%	-29%	47%
November	-2%	-24%	26%	-26%	-12%	35%	-4%	-16%	21%
December	8%	-25%	16%	2%	-16%	20%	5%	-18%	16%
January	-26%	-29%	-	-10%	-22%	-	-18%	-25%	-
February	-32%	-43%	-	-2%	-42%	-	-20%	-44%	-

Table 2(a) shows that percentage reduction of PM₁₀ in between -32% to 8.0% in September to February 2018-2019, PM_2.5in between -35% to 2% in September to February 2018-2019 and AQI in between -35% to 5% September to February 2018-2019 as compared to September to February 2017-2018.

Figure 4 - Percentage Reduction as Compared to Previous Year of PM₁₀ from September to February (2017-2020)

Figure 5 - Percentage Reduction as Compared to Previous Year of PM_2.5from September to February (2017-2020)

Figure 6 - Percentage Reduction as Compared to Previous Year of AQI from September to February (2017-2020)

From this Table 2(a), it is concluded that PM₁₀, PM_2.5and AQI are peak values in the months of November - December of 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020. A major reason behind the spike in air pollution of Bhiwadi is the sewage being burnt by farmers in Punjab and Haryana, due to which there is an increase in air pollution in November-December. PM₁₀, PM_2.5and AQI have the highest 52%, 44% and 55% respectively in September 2020.

Another possible option is the Pusa bio-decomposer developed by scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which converts crop residues into manure by accelerating the decomposition process in 15–20 days.

2. Percentage reduction as compared to 2017-2018 from September to February (2018-2020) at Bhiwadi City

The air quality on Percentage reduction as compared to 2017 from September to February (2018-2020) at Bhiwadi City are presented in Table 2(b). Most of the parameters, including all three, PM₁₀, PM_2.5and AQI have been observed to be higher by 2020 than in 2018-2019 and 2018-2019.

Table 2(b) PERCENTAGE REDUCTION AS COMPARED TO 2017 FROM SEPTEMBER TO FEBRUARY (2017-2020)

Table 2(b): PERCENTAGE REDUCTION AS COMPARED TO 2017 FROM SEPTEMBER TO FEBRUARY (2017-2020)
	PM₁₀			PM_2.5			AQI
	2018 -2019	2019 -2020	2020	2018 -2019	2019 -2020	2020	2018 -2019	2019 -2020	2020
September	-32%	-60%	-40%	-35%	-49%	-26%	-35%	-57%	-33%
October	-3%	-35%	-8%	-25%	-45%	-6%	-13%	-38%	-9%
November	-2%	-25%	-5%	-26%	-35%	-12%	-4%	-19%	-2%
December	8%	-20%	-7%	2%	-14%	3%	5%	-14%	-1%
January	-23%	-37%		-3%	-27%	-	-10%	-24%	-
February	-36%	-38%		-25%	-27%	-	-21%	-19%	-

It has been observed that if comparing the winter months of September to February 2017 in Bhiwadi from December 2020 then higher values have been reported by almost all the pollutants during these winter days of 2020. The increase in PM₁₀in 2018-19 (December), PM_2.5 in 2020 (December), and AQI 2018-19 (December), in Bhiwadi was recorded at 8%, 3% and 5% respectively, indicating the effect on the winter season.

Figure 7 - Percentage Reduction As Compared To 2017 of PM₁₀ in Winter Season

Figure 8 - Percentage Reduction As Compared To 2017 of PM_2.5in Winter Season

Figure 9 - Percentage Reduction As Compared To 2017 of AQI in Winter Season

It has been observed that if the winter months of September to February 2017 in Bhiwadi are compared up to December 2020 then lower values were reported by almost all pollutants in September (2019-2020). The decrease in PM₁₀, PM_2.5and AQI at Bhiwadi was recorded at -60%, -49% and -57% respectively.

(C) Impact of Various AQI Categories

The ambient air quality AQI data of Bhiwadi city from September 2017 to December 2020 data for comparison of number of days in various Air quality index Categories in winter season on September 2017 – December 2020 days are presented in the Table 4.

It is observed that if compared with September 2017 to December 2020 were found very poor days i.e. 96 very poor days in 2017-2018 (September, October, November, December, January and February) 84 very poor days in 2018-2019 (September to February), 63 very poor days in 2019-2020 (September to February) and 60 very poor days in 2020 (September, October, November and December).

Table 3 - Air Quality on the basis of Various AQI Categories in Bhiwadi city from September 2017 to December 2020

AQI	Possible Health Impacts		Sept-Feb (2017-18)	Sept-Feb (2018-19)	Sept-Feb (2019-20)	Sept-Dec (2020)
0-50	Minimal impact	Good	0	0	0	0
51-100	Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people	Satisfactory	1	5	14	5
101-200	Breathing discomfort to the people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases	Moderate	21	24	45	11
201-300	Breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure	Poor	20	43	53	30
301-400	Respiratory illness on prolonged exposure	Very Poor	96	84	63	60
401+	Affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases	Severe	42	22	7	16

Here AQI is 301-400, while 42 severe days in 2017-2018, 22 severe days in 2018-2019, 7 severe days in 2019-2020 and 16 severe days in 2020 respectively at AQI data of Bhiwadi city from September 2017 – December 2020. It may be inferred that only 1 satisfactory day in 2017-2018, 5 satisfactory days in 2018-2019, 14 satisfactory days in 2019-2020 and 5 satisfactory days in 2020 respectively.

Figure 10 - AQI Comparison between Good to Severe Days from September to February (2017-2020)

Figure 11 - AQI Comparison between Good to Severe Days from September to December (2020)

It may be inferred that higher pollution levels in comparison to previous year are due to meteorological conditions and perennial issue of deteriorated air quality during 2017-2018 in Bhiwadi (September to February).

Figure 12 - AQI Comparison between Good to Moderate Days from September to February (2017-2020)

Fig. 12 shows the comparison of AQI between Good to Moderate days from September to February (2017-2020) in Sept-Feb (2017-2018), Sept-Feb (2018-2019) and Sep-Feb (2019-2020) 22, 29 and 59 days have been found respectively.

Figure 13 - AQI Comparison between Poor to Severe Days from September to February (2017-2020)

Fig. 13 shows the comparison of AQI between poor to Severe days from September to February (2017-2020) in Sept-Feb (2017-2018), Sept-Feb (2018-2019) and Sep-Feb (2019-2020) 158, 149 and 123 days have been found respectively.

Figure 14 - AQI Comparison between Good to Moderate Days from September to December (2020)

Figure 15 - AQI Comparison between Poor to Severe Days from September to December (2020)

Fig. 14 shows that in September to December (2020) 16 days were observed from Good to Moderate while Good to Moderate Days have been compared to AQI. Fig. 15 shows that in September to December (2020) 106 days were observed from Poor to Severe while Poor to Severe Days have been compared to AQI.

(D) Cluster Approach- Information of PM fractions

Table 4(a) - Clustering of Months on Particulate Fractions September-February (2017-2020)

Clustering of Months on Particulate Fractions September-February (2017-2020)

PM_2.5 / PM₁₀ %

PM₁₀(µg/m³)

<250

>250

110

130

150

170

190

210

230

250

270

290

310

330

350

370

390

410

<50%

Cleaner Quadrant-Coarse Dust

Polluted Quadrant

Focus on Continual Dust measures

Extensive Efforts required to control dust sources ( Road Dust)

September-2018, September -2019, October-2019, September -2020

September -2017, October -2017, January-2018, February-2018, October -2018, November-2018, December-2018, November -2019, October -2020

>=50%

Moderate Quadrant -Finer Fraction

Critical Quadrant

Extensive efforts required for controlling combustion sources (Open burning and Vehicular emissions)

Extensive Efforts and multidimensional intervention required

February -2019, January -2020, February-2020

November -2017, December -2017, January -2019, December -2019, November -2020, December -2020

Table 5(a) shows the clustering of months at partial fractions in September – February (2017–2020). Compared to September 2017 to December 2020, it has been found that if less than 50% of ratio of PM_2.5/PM₁₀ and less than 250(µg/m³) unit of PM₁₀, then months of September-2018, September-2019, October-2019, September 2018 are cleaner quarter. Fall within the category that focuses on continuous dust measures.

If PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio is less than 50% and PM₁₀ unit is greater than 250µg/m³ then September-2017, October-2017, January-2018, February-2018, October-2018, November-2018, December-2018, November-2019, October-2020 months fall in the polluted quadrant category so extensive efforts are being made to control the sources of dust (road dust).

If PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio is greater than 50% and less than 250µg/m³ unit of PM₁₀ then February-2019, January-2020, February-2020 months fall in the middle quartile range (finer fraction), so here combustion is controlled Extensive efforts are required to do this such as open burning and vehicle emissions.

If PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio is greater than 50% and PM₁₀ unit is greater than 250µg/m³ then the months November-2017, December-2017, January-2019, December-2019, November-2020 and December-2020 months fall into the important IV category. There are widespread efforts and multidisciplinary interventions are required.

Table 4(b): PM₁₀ (µg/m³) and Ratio (PM_2.5/PM₁₀) from Sept 2017 to December 2020.

Months	PM₁₀(µg/m³)	Ratio(PM_2.5/PM₁₀)
Sep-17	295	36%
Oct-17	360	47%
Nov-17	392	57%
Dec-17	346	50%
Jan-18	364	45%
Feb-18	346	48%
Sep-18	201	34%
Oct-18	348	37%
Nov-18	386	43%
Dec-18	374	48%
Jan-19	280	56%
Feb-19	223	55%
Sep-19	117	46%
Oct-19	233	40%
Nov-19	295	49%
Dec-19	278	54%
Jan-20	231	52%
Feb-20	216	56%
Sep-20	177	44%
Oct-20	333	48%
Nov-20	371	53%
Dec-20	323	56%

Control Options

It may be noted that air polluting sources are plenty and efforts are required for every sector/source. In addition, there is a need to explore various options for controlling air pollutants for increased emission in the future. The assessment of efficacies of control options and development of these tables is the outcome of thorough modeling exercise and further analyses and interpretation to arrive at improvements in ground-level air quality throughout the city. The description of control options is given below:

Action taken as per EPCA directions:

GRAP is being implemented in NCR sub region of Rajasthan as per EPCA orders.

Ø The State has prepared Action plan for NCR area and for hotspot Bhiwadi to combat air pollution problem in the present winter season on the basis of action plans received from various departments. The main action points are:

a. Greening and paving of open land and unpaved roads.

b. Measures to prevent fires at dumpsites/landfill sites- for this purpose, teams have been constituted by RIICO/Municipalities to monitor the sites regularly.

c. Measures to stop open burning of domestic/industrial waste in industrial and unplanned industrial areas- vigilance team has been constituted for regular watch.

d. Measures to stop open dumping and unregulated construction activities (dumping of constructed & demolition waste in open space, storage of construction material in open).

Regular action is being taken by concerned departments on above mentioned points.

Steps taken for curbing Air Pollution in NCR sub region of Rajasthan

Ø The State is carrying out extensive air quality monitoring in the NCR areas for which stations are located in Bhiwadi,

Ø Continuous Ambient Air Quality Stations are functioning in NCR areas at Bhiwadi.

Ø RSPCB has issued mechanism for environment management of critically polluted areas including Bhiwadi which also mentions specific air pollution control measures to be adopted by projects located in CEPI areas like stringent air pollutants standards i.e. 80% of existing process emission standards, Use of only liquid (other than FO), gaseous fuels. Green belt in 40% of the plot area, wall to wall carpeting in vehicle movement areas.

Ø Committee is regularly holding its meetings and has identified hot spot points in Bhiwadi wherein maximum air polluting activities happen. Chairperson of committee directed all stakeholders for monitoring of these hotspot points. Committee has decided to identify C&D waste dumping sites soon. Committee has further constituted a vigilance team comprising members for RSPCB, RIICO, BIDA, and Municipal Council for monitoring of identified hot spot points & disposal of SAMEER App complaints.

Environmental Surveillance

1. A system should be developed for monitoring environmental quality in order to detect areas of pollution concentration in time for remedial measures.

2. GRAP System (Graded Response Action Plan) should be developed: It is an emergency plan through which pollution control strategies to act according to air quality status suitable and rapid action that can be implemented quickly.

3. Pollution Control Board should take regularly do visits to check the status of road dust as it is seen that road dust is a major emission source for particulate matter.

4. Visual emissions must be informed and properly documented so that data of industries or sectors is causing pollution can be identified.

SUMMARY

It is desirable that for existing industrial areas stressed under high ambient pollution levels, a systematic and effective action plan is developed and implemented in a time-bound manner rather than considering the closure of the industries.
In most institutions, hotels, and offices, diesel generators are used at the time of power failure.
Unlike other cities, at several locations, garbage burning is a common practice; it is also seen that not only is garbage burning, the industrial waste is also burnt at several places within the city, which can be an important contributor to air pollution.
The road condition in the town is quite bad as roads are broken, poorly maintained, and partially paved surfaces, and it is observed that movements of the vehicle may cause non-exhaust road dust emission insignificant amount.
AQI data of Bhiwadi city from September 2017 to December 2020 for comparison of four years in various parameters such as PM10, PM2.5, and AQI in the winter season are presented in Table 1.

Raed More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdaDON18Wgo

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Case Study --Traditional knowledge Digital Library

Traditional knowledge Digital Library

Introduction

The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is an Indian digital knowledge repository of the traditional knowledge, especially about medicinal plants and formulations used in Indian systems of medicine.
Set up in 2001, as a collaboration between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the MINISTRY OF AYUSH.
objective of the library is to protect the ancient and traditional knowledge of the country from exploitation through biopiracy and unethical patents, by documenting it electronically and classifying it as per international patent classification systems.
Apart from that, the non-patent database serves to foster modern research based on traditional knowledge, as it simplifies access to this vast knowledge of remedies or practices.
The TKDL contains documentation of publicly available traditional knowledge (TK) that:

relates to Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Yoga
is in digitized format
is available in five languages: English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish.

The TKDL:

seeks to prevent the granting of patents for products developed utilizing TK where there has been little, if any, inventive step
intends to act as a bridge between information recorded in ancient Sanskrit and patent examiners (with its database containing information in a language and format understandable to patent examiners)
facilitates access to information not easily available to patent examiners, thereby minimizing the possibility that patents could be granted for “inventions” involving only minor or insignificant modifications.

TKDL

TKDL is an initiative to provide the information on traditional knowledge existing in the country, in languages and format understandable by patent examiners at International Patent Offices (IPOs), so as to prevent the grant of wrong patents.
TKDL is a collaborative project of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, is situated in Ghaziabad, U.P.
TKDL acts as a bridge between the traditional knowledge information existing in local languages and the patent examiners at IPOs.

TKDL evolve

TKDL uses the tools of information technology and a novel classification system to make available traditional medical knowledge in digital form.
Vinod Kumar Gupta, who set up TKDL, devised a modern classification based on the structure of International Patent Classification (IPC) for India’s traditional systems: Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Yoga.
The India’s traditional knowledge is found in Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Arabic, Persian and Urdu texts. This is inaccessible and incomprehensible to patent examiners overseas. The focus of TKDL was on breaking the language and format barriers by scientifically converting and structuring the available TK in IPC.
The Traditional Knowledge Resource Classification (TKRC) has resulted in a fundamental reform of IPC by enhancing the TK segment from one sub-group to 207 sub-groups, thus enabling effective search and examination process.

TKDL work

The knowledge obtained from ancient Indian texts is stored in 34 million A4 size pages and translated into five foreign languages – in Japanese, English, Spanish, German and French.
It is not a transliteration; rather it is a knowledge-based conversion, where data abstracted once is converted into several languages by using Unicode, Metadata methodology.
TKDL has signed access and non-disclosure agreements with the Indian and seven other global patent offices. This ensures near-foolproof security for our invaluable bioresources against piracy.
All of this required not just high-end technology but also skills of a high technical order. And there were people with knowledge of ancient texts, modern medicine and technical terms of foreign languages.
This was a tremendous exercise of global proportions and the price for this unique propriety system was Rs. 16 crore.

TKDL benefits

TKDL has identified 1,000 cases of biopiracy of India’s TK in the last 3 years. In 105 cases, patent claims were withdrawn or cancelled by the patent offices. This is done at no cost to India and it takes very less time. All that is required is an e-mail to the relevant patent office.
There is necessity to spend huge legal fees and time in fighting biopiracy. For example, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) spent 7 years and Rs 7.62 crore in legal fees to fight the intellectual property rights battle for basmati rice.
There has been as much as a 44% decline in patent claims filed on Indian systems of medicine.
Now TKDL also includes videos of the most common yoga postures. This is avoids grating wrong patents for Yoga exercise in the west which is an increasing trend.

TKDL in other countries

Biopiracy is prevalent not just in the case of India’s traditional knowledge. A large number of countries, rich in bioresources across the African and Latin American continents, are facing the same problem.

The Traditional Knowledge of nearly 110 developing countries is vulnerable to theft and capture.
With the help of India’s experience these countries can initiate similar programmes to protect the traditional knowledge.
The Government of Peru has recently declared its intention of setting up an institution similar to India’s TKDL.

Protection to all forms of traditional knowledge

The protection of Traditional Knowledge is important for the conservation and sustainable development of the environment, as much of the world's biodiversity has been conserved and preserved by indigenous people. Their knowledge is central to the protection and conservation of genetic resources and other bio-resources.

When community members innovate within the traditional knowledge framework, they may use the patent system to protect their innovations. However, traditional knowledge as such - knowledge that has ancient roots and is often informal and oral - is not protected by conventional intellectual property systems.
Traditional knowledge refers to: knowledge or practices passed down from generation to generation that form part of the traditions or heritage of Indigenous communities. knowledge or practice for which Indigenous communities act as the guardians or custodian.
Traditional knowledge can be found in a wide variety of contexts, including: agricultural, scientific, technical, ecological and medicinal knowledge as well as biodiversity-related knowledge.
The Traditional Knowledge Act of 2016 in Kenya mainly seeks to protect and enhance intellectual property in and indigenous knowledge of biodiversity and genetic resources, ensure that communities receive compensation or royalties for use of their TK.
Traditional Knowledge must be protected because Need to protect traditional knowledge have increased with changing time, especially in order to stop unauthorized and commercial misuse of such knowledge. It is important to protect the indigenous people from such loss and also help them to preserve such ancient practices.

Government of India (GoI) protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies:

India has a rich history of traditional medicinal practices that date back to thousands of years. These techniques and components have come into the light during recent times mainly due to the interest shown by multinationals to exploit the knowledge and benefit from the profits. In order to protect the knowledge from being patented, the government has indeed been striving hard.

Reference

https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/04/23/traditional-knowledge-digital-library-tkdl/
http://www.tkdl.res.in/tkdl/LangFrench/common/Abouttkdl.asp?GL=Eng
https://www.gktoday.in/gk/tkdl/
https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/briefs/tk_ip.html

Case Study --Traditional knowledge

Traditional knowledge

Introduction

Traditional knowledge means: “Traditional knowledge refers to the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities around the world. Developed from experience gained over the centuries and adapted to the local culture and environment, traditional knowledge is transmitted orally from generation to generation.

We protect traditional knowledge: There are methods through which TK can be protected: a) Positive Protection, and

b) Defensive Mechanism.

Positive protection means protecting TK by way of enacting laws, rules and regulations, access and benefit sharing provisions, royalties etc.

Traditional knowledge system in India: Traditional Knowledge Resource Classification (TKRC) is an innovative classification system of TKDL. TKRC has structured and classified the Indian Traditional Medicine System in approximately 25,000 subgroups for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Yoga.

Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine mrunal: The government has been successful in obtaining UNESCO recognition to traditional medicinal knowledge such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Sowa Rigpa, Unani etc. This has allowed India to establish link with the country of origin and prevent patenting by multinational pharma companies.

'Traditional knowledge' and 'Indigenous cultural expression':

Traditional knowledge refers to:

knowledge or practices passed down from generation to generation that form part of the traditions or heritage of Indigenous communities
goog_1628417497 knowledge or practice for which Indigenous communities act as the guardians or custodians.

The type of knowledge that is considered within this scope includes:

· knowledge about the medicinal properties or effects of flora and fauna

· knowledge about hunting or fishing techniques.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is an Act of the Parliament of India for preservation of biological diversity in India, and provides mechanism for equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of traditional biological resources and knowledge.

Role of traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation

Traditional knowledge can make a significant contribution to sustainable development. However, the contribution of indigenous and local communities to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity goes far beyond their role as natural resource manager.

Objects of Biological Diversity Act 2002 useful in environmental protection:

The money is used in the management and conservation of heritage sites; compensating or rehabilitating any section of the people economically affected when an area is declared Biodiversity Heritage Sites; and conservation and promotion of biological resources. The purpose of the Biodiversity Act is to realize equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources and associated knowledge.

Importance of traditional knowledge:

The transmission of traditional knowledge across generations is fundamental to protecting and promoting indigenous peoples' cultures and identities and as well as the sustainability of livelihoods, resilience to human-made and natural disasters, and sustaining culturally appropriate economic development.

Role in biodiversity conservation:

Biodiversity conservation protects plant, animal, microbial and genetic resources for food production, agriculture, and ecosystem functions such as fertilizing the soil, recycling nutrients, regulating pests and disease, controlling erosion, and pollinating crops and trees.

Traditional method of conservation of biodiversity:

Biodiversity can be conserved in the following ways: In-situ conservation: This method helps in the conservation of biodiversity within the natural habitat of the animals and plants by creating protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Traditional knowledge protected:

When community members innovate within the traditional knowledge framework, they may use the patent system to protect their innovations. However, traditional knowledge as such - knowledge that has ancient roots and is often informal and oral - is not protected by conventional intellectual property systems.

We can protect and conserve biodiversity:

10 Ways to Protect and Conserve Biodiversity

Government legislation.
Nature preserves.
Reducing invasive species.
Habitat restoration.
Captive breeding and seed banks.
Research.
Reduce climate change.
Purchase sustainable products.

In April 2004, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) notified the Biological Diversity Rules 2004 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The Act has a unique system of governing access and benefit sharing (ABS) through the NBA, SBBs and BMCs formed at different levels.

As the Act provides measures for safeguarding traditional knowledge, preservation of threatened species and prevention of bio-piracy, many states have come forward to implement it in its true spirit.

THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT, 2002

REGULATION OF ACCESS TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

1. Certain persons not to undertake Biodiversity related activities without approval of National Biodiversity Authority.

2. Results of research not to be transferred to certain persons without approval of National Biodiversity Authority.

3. Sections1 and 2 not to apply to certain collaborative research projects.

4. Application for intellectual property rights not to be made without approval of National Biodiversity Authority.

5. Prior intimation to State Biodiversity Board for obtaining biological resource for certain purposes.

DUTIES OF THE CENTRAL AND THE STATE GOVERNMENTS

Central Government to develop National strategies, plans, etc., for conservation, etc., of biological diversity.
Biodiversity heritage sites.
Power of Central Government to notify threatened species.
Power of Central Government to designate repositories.
Power of Central Government to exempt certain biological resources.

THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT, 2002 ACT NO. 18 OF 2003

[5th February, 2003.]

An Act to provide for conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources, knowledge and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “benefit claimers” means the conservers of biological resources, their by-products, creators and holders of knowledge and information relating to the use of such biological resources, innovations and practices associated with such use and application;

(b) “biological diversity” means the variability among living organisms from all sources and the ecological complexes of which they are part and includes diversity within species or between species and of eco-systems;

(c) “biological resources” means plants, animals and micro-organisms or parts thereof, their genetic material and by-products (excluding value added products) with actual or potential use or value, but does not include human genetic material;

Penalty for contravention of directions or orders of Central Government, State Government, National Biodiversity Authority and State Biodiversity Boards.

—If any person contravenes any direction given or order made by the Central Government, the State Government, the National Biodiversity Authority or the State Biodiversity Board for which no punishment has been separately provided under this Act, he shall be punished with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees and in case of a second or subsequent offence, with fine which may extend to two lakh rupees and in the case of continuous contravention with additional fine which may extend to two lakh rupees every day during which the default continues.

Reference:

· https://www.cbd.int/traditional/intro.shtml

· https://www.mondaq.com/india/patent/668414/traditional-knowledge-and-scope-for-patent-protection

· https://www.upsciq.com/how-is-the-government-of-india-goi-protecting/

· https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/protecting-business/ip-kit/browse-ip-topics/traditional-knowledge/definitions

· https://www.civilsdaily.com/mains/how-is-the-government-of-india-protecting-traditional-knowledge-of-medicine-from-patenting-by-pharmaceutical-companies-15-marks/

· https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/en/wipo_iptk_ge_2_16/wipo_iptk_ge_2_16_presentation_12javed.pdf