Johannesburg: India is mobilising several countries involved in bio-diversity for establishment of a multi-lateral secretariat to deal with the issue.

"We want to have a multi-lateral secretariat for that purpose either in Mexico or any other bio-diversity country, to set this up funding is necessary and we are discussing this issue with the 15 bio-diversity countries," Minister for Environment and Forests T R Baalu said on August 28 at the World Summit on Sustainable development.

"We will be approaching the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) for funds for projects," he said.

Baalu had in his address on "Bio-diversity and Eco Systems" on August 27 also made a strong plea for developing an internationally-recognised regime for recognising the property rights, both intellectual and physical, of countries home to unique genetic resources.

"The developed nations should ensure benefits to countries of origin of germplasm resources," Baalu said.

The Minister said the benefits should include location of research and technological facilities in the countries of origin in addition to payment of royalty and monetary compensation.

PTI