National Biodiversity Authority
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established by the Central Government in
2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002). The NBA is a Statutory Body and
it performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory functions for the Government of India on
issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing
of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.
The Biological Diversity Act (2002) mandates implementation of the provisions of the Act
through decentralized system with the NBA focusing on advising the Central Government on
matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and
equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources; and
advising the State Governments in the selection of areas of biodiversity importance to be
notified under Sub-Section (1) of Section 37 as heritage sites and measures for the
management of such heritage.
In order to carry out the provisions of the act, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) had
been set up under the Ministry of Environments and Forest by the Government of India. The
NBA is a statutory, autonomous body headquartered in Chennai. State Biodiversity Boards
(SBB) were also created in the 29 states along with Biological management committees for
each local body.
Functions of the National Biodiversity Authority
• It makes sure that people don't take advantage of biodiversity unfairly, especially for
business or research.
• The NBA safeguards the traditional knowledge of local communities associated with
biodiversity, ensuring that their rights are protected and that they receive equitable
benefits from the commercial use of such knowledge.
• Prepare a report on how the government can select biological heritage sites.
• The NBA raises awareness among the public about the importance of biodiversity
conservation through educational programs, campaigns, and outreach activities.
• It collaborates with international organizations and participates in global efforts to
conserve biodiversity, including implementing agreements such as the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD).
Structure of the National Biodiversity Authority
• A Chairperson.
• Three ex officio members, one representing the Ministry dealing with Tribal Affairs
and two representing the Ministry dealing with Environment and Forests.
• Seven ex-officio members to represent respectively the Ministries of the Central
Government dealing with:
• Agricultural Research and Education
• Biotechnology
• Ocean Development
• Agriculture and Cooperation
• Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy
• Science and Technology
• Scientific and Industrial Research.
Any Foreign individuals or corporate body seek to obtain knowledge or allied resources for
the purpose of research, survey, and commercial utilization, then they need to take permission
from the NBA. Indian citizens or corporates seeking to the same need to take permission
from their respective State Biodiversity Boards.
State Biodiversity Boards
At the state level, there are State Biodiversity Boards established to implement biodiversity
conservation and related activities within their respective states. These boards work in
coordination with the NBA.
Functions of State Biodiversity Boards
• Advising the State Government on matters of biodiversity and its equitable
distribution or on matters relating to the conservation, sustainable use or sharing
equitable benefits.
• Regulate granting of approvals or otherwise requests for commercial utilization or
bio-survey and bio-utilization of any biological resource by people.
• SBBs regulate access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge
within their states, ensuring that such access is fair, equitable, and environmentally
sustainable.
• SBBs support biodiversity research and monitoring initiatives within their states to
assess the status of biodiversity, identify threats, and track changes over time.
Structure of SSBs
The State Biodiversity Board consists of the following members:
• A Chairperson
• Not more than five ex officio members to represent the concerned Departments of the
State Government
• Not more than five members from amongst experts in matters relating to conservation
of biological diversity, sustainable use of biological resources and equitable sharing of
benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.
• All the members of the SBB are appointed by the respective State Governments.
Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)
At the local level, Biodiversity Management Committees are formed to facilitate community
participation in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. BMCs play a crucial role in
documenting local biodiversity, protecting traditional knowledge, and promoting sustainable
practices.According to Section 41 of the Act, every local body shall constitute the BMC
within its area for the purpose of documentation of biological diversity including:
• Preservation of habitats
• Conservation of Landraces
• Folk varieties and cultivars
• Domesticated stocks And breeds of animals
• Microorganisms And Chronicling Of Knowledge Relating To Biological Diversity
Functions of Biodiversity Management Committees
• To prepare the People’s Biodiversity Register in consultation with the local people.
• To provide education and awareness on Biodiversity building
• BMCs are responsible for documenting local biodiversity, including the identification
and cataloging of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms present in their area.
• Providing feedback to the SBB in the matter of IPR, Traditional Knowledge and local
Biodiversity issues, wherever feasible and essential feedback to be provided to the
NBA.
• They safeguard traditional knowledge related to biodiversity held by local
communities, ensuring that it is respected, preserved, and utilized in a fair and
equitable manner.
• BMCs conduct awareness programs and educational initiatives to raise awareness
among local communities about the importance of biodiversity conservation and the
need for sustainable practices.
Structure
• A chairperson and not more than 6 persons nominated by the local body.
• Out of total members of a BMC, not less than one third should be women and
not less than 18% should belong to the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes.
• The Chairperson of the BMC shall be elected from amongst the members of the
committee in a meeting to be chaired by the Chairperson of the local body.
