Peru has high biodiversity with over 21,000 species of plants and animals reported as of 2003. Photo Credit: Flickr

Peru has created an online system with full public access to regulate biodiversity research.

The measure should ensure Peru's authority over its native genetic heritage, according to a press release from the National Institute for Natural Resources (INRENA), which will run the system.

The initiative was announced last week (16 March) in the El Peruano newspaper.

Karina Ramírez, a biologist at INRENA's Department of Biodiversity Conservation, said INRENA is already working on implementing the system, which should be completely operational in two months.

It includes a database showing in real time the national and international research being done with genetic resources native to Peru.

The system will also include a register of researchers who have applied for a permit to work in protected sites, forests and wildlife habitats. Both local and international researchers will be asked to provide a research proposal and a letter of authority from their supporting institution. If the application is accepted, a permit will be automatically issued within two weeks. INRENA will work with the relevant authorities to decide what information will be requested from researchers.

A new system will enable the tracking of scientific collection activities both inside and outside protected areas.

Ramírez says this system will enable the tracking of scientific collection activities both inside and outside protected areas. And by centralising information about research on genetic resources, it should also allow authorities to prioritise proposed research.

She told SciDev.Net it would also help to keep the local and international community informed about research in biodiversity performed in Peru.

Brazil announced a similar system earlier this month.




Contributed by Zoraida Portillo, a correspondent for Inter Press Service. Reprinted with permission from SciDev.Net.

To read another Global Envision article about the environment in South America, see Brazil Faces Forecast of Heat and Dust.



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