National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) forms a crucial component of India’s environmental governance framework. By regulating access to biological resources, supporting conservation initiatives, and raising public awareness, the NBA contributes significantly to the preservation of biodiversity. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), including its establishment, needs, functions, challenges, effectiveness and other related aspects.

About National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory authority set up under India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002).
• It came into existence in 2003, with its headquarters in Chennai.
• It provides facilitative, regulatory, and advisory functions to the Government of India on issues of conservation, sustainable use, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the country’s biological resources.
• Under the Biodiversity Act, 2002 and Biodiversity Rules, 2004, the following two other entities have been established to complement the NBA:
  • State Biodiversity Boards (SBB) at the State level, and
  • Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at the local village level.

Biological Diversity Act 2002 (BDA 2002) – The Biological Diversity Act 2002 (BDA 2002) is an act of the Indian Parliament aiming to protect India’s rich biodiversity and associated knowledge against their use by foreign individuals and organisations without sharing the benefits arising out of such use and to check bio-piracy. – It primarily addresses issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources in the country, issues related to access to genetic resources and associated knowledge and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of biological resources to the country and its people. – This Act aligns with India’s commitment to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), which aims to protect the world’s biodiversity while promoting its sustainable use. Read our detailed article on the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Composition of National Biodiversity Authority

The National Biodiversity Authority consists of

• 1 Chairperson: An eminent person with knowledge and experience in matters related to biodiversity, specifically on conservation, sustainable use of biological diversity and equitable sharing of benefits.
• 10 Ex-officio Members: From the Government of India.
• 5 Non-Official Members: Experts in different aspects of biodiversity management.

Functions of National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

The major functions of the NBA involve the following:

• Advise the Government of India on matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and fair & equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of biological resources.
• Regulate activities and issue guidelines for access to biological resources and for fair and equitable sharing.
• Take necessary measures to oppose the grant of intellectual property rights in any country outside India on any biological resource obtained from India or knowledge associated with such biological resource derived illegally from India.
  • For Example, it opposed Monsanto’s bid for a patent on Indian Melon.
• Advise the State Governments in the selection of areas of biodiversity importance to be notified as heritage sites and suggest measures for the management of such heritage sites.

Effectiveness of National Biodiversity Authority

The National Biodiversity Authority has been able to produce mixed results in the major areas of its jurisdictions. The same is illustrated below:

• Conservation of Biodiversity
  • The increase in the number of tigers is appreciable, but there are many species, like the Indian Wild Ass, Blackbuck, and Indian Rhinoceros, that are on the verge of extinction.
  • Also, many states are cutting their forest, which increases the vulnerability of wild species, disturbing the ecology.
• Sustainable Use of Bio-Resources
  • With regard to the sustainable use of bio-resources, the government has taken a lot of positive steps, such as ensuring the tribal people have the right to use minor forest products like flowers, fruits, and honey for their livelihood.
  • However, illegal activities like poaching wild animals and cutting red sander continue alarmingly, and these can be improved through better monitoring technology and strict implementation of rules by forest officials.
• Access and Benefit Sharing
  • Access and benefit sharing have been facing a lot of hindrances due to differences on both sides.
  • Business houses want a proper environment to commercialise any biological product with access to the market, which could hamper the livelihood of locals.
  • However, any external intervention disturbs the source of livelihood of the local people.
  • Rehabilitation is never easy, especially for many local people who are dependent entirely on nature.
  • Consequently, it has created a roadblock for many biological products even though the biodiversity board has already approved it.

Challenges Faced by National Biodiversity Authority

The major challenges faced by the NBA can be seen as follows:

• Resource Constraints: Limited financial and human resources often hinder the NBA’s capacity to implement its programs effectively and reach all regions of the country.
• Coordination Issues: Coordinating biodiversity conservation efforts across various states and with multiple stakeholders becomes challenging due to the need for a proper mechanism.
• Regulatory Challenges: Ensuring effective implementation and compliance with the Biological Diversity Act is challenging, particularly in addressing violations and managing complex access and benefit-sharing agreements.

Conclusion

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) plays a vital role in conserving India’s rich biological heritage and promoting sustainable use of its resources. As India continues to navigate complex environmental issues, the NBA’s efforts remain essential in safeguarding the nation’s biodiversity for future generations. Addressing the challenges it faces will be crucial for enhancing its effectiveness and achieving its conservation goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)