Resumen
AbstractProtecting the right of the local community/country to use their own genetic resourcesavailable in a particular area is an important element of environmental and biodiversityconservation. However, one of the biggest biodiversity conservation challenges faced bysouthern peripheral countries is biopiracy and related issues. Community based ecotourism(CBET) is a well-established concept and its implementation is an important component in manyregional development strategies. This research argues that though CBET which originated as awestern concept has been successfully applied in number of projects, it generates biopiracychallenges in its implementation when CBET operates within different geo-political, economicand cultural contexts. This research examines such challenges to CBET initiatives in theSinharaja world heritage site, Sri Lanka. A qualitative-inductive research methodology hasprincipally guided this research to examine the socio-cultural and socio-economic context ofbiopiracy issues. A total of 293 participants have informed this research including 193interviews. A critical discourse analysis (CDA) method is used to examine both primaryqualitative data collected through participant and direct observation, interviews and secondarydata. One of the main findings is that despite plans being developed at a community level, inwider context, challenges of biopiracy related to superimposed capitalism contest CBETideologies. Superimposed capitalism results in individualistic and competitive behaviours thatundermine collaborative and responsible community approach. Presently, smuggling out ofWallapatta plant (Gyrinops walla) and gathering of Spotted bowfinger gecko (Cyrtodactylustriedra) which is an endemic nocturnal reptile species have become profitable in KudawaSinharajasite and a growing number of biopirates venture into here. Local community of this sitetakes risks in forest genetic resources smuggling because it provides them with the means ofearning much money within a short period. Regardless of all prevalent laws and regulationsagainst bioprospecting, biopiracy, biological resource and wildlife smuggling, authorities havestill failed to control these activities in this site because of the support given to bio-pirates by thelocal community. The research concludes that CBET is an appropriate pathway for tourismdevelopment in Sri Lanka but recognition of biopiracy issues associated with superimposedcapitalism is required and needed to be addressed. A well-defined monitoring system and aneffective legal framework to control adverse effects are important for achieving CBET goalswhile confronting biopiracy.Keywords: Biopiracy, Community Based Eco-tourism, Superimposed capitalism.