In Which Year was National Biodiversity Authority Established?

India is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of plants, animals and natural resources. To protect this rich biodiversity and make sure it is used wisely and fairly, the Government of India created a special body called the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). It helps in protecting nature and also supports local people who use and care for natural resources.

When was National Biodiversity Authority Established?

The National Biodiversity Authority was established in 2003 by the Government of India. It works under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. This body was created to implement the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. India formed this act after singing the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992.

What is NBA?

The NBA is a statutory and independent organization. It helps in protecting India’s rich biological resources. It guides the government on how to use biological resources in fair and safe way. It also ensures that the benefits from using these resources are shared equally with local people.

Headquarters and Functions

The NBA is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It plays three main roles:

• Facilitator: helping the government and researchers
• Regulator: making sure rules are followed
• Advisor: giving suggestions to the central and state governments

It also helps states to mark importance natural places as heritage sites and protect them.

Major Events Organized

In 2012, the NBA organized the first-ever National Biodiversity Congress in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. At the same time, a Student’s Biodiversity Congress was also held to involve the youth.

Main Responsibilities of NBA

The NBA checks and approves the use of biological resources for:

• Research
• Commercial use
• Bio-surveys
• Transfer of research results
• Intellectual Property Rights

It ensures proper Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). The forms and rules are available on the NBA’s website.

Legal and Public Support

In 2021, a national moot court competition was organized with the help of Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board and and Symbiosis Law School, Nagpur. This aimed to spread legal knowledge about biodiversity laws.

In an important judgement, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all states to set up Biodiversity Management Committees and maintain People’s Biodiversity Registers seriously.