National Biodiversity Authority: Structure, Functions, Expert Panel

29 July 20261 min read

Why in the news

Acting on a National Green Tribunal order, the biodiversity regulator created a panel to deal with invasive alien species.

Autonomous statutory body under MoEFCC; enforces the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Created on 1 October 2003; headquarters in Chennai.
Regulatory, advisory and facilitative role to protect biological resources and related traditional knowledge.
Goals: conservation, sustainable use and fair, equitable Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).

Tier	Details
National Biodiversity Authority	National level, Chennai
State Biodiversity Boards	28 boards; regulate commercial use and bio-surveys by Indian citizens within the state
Biodiversity Management Committees	About 2.76 lakh at panchayat and municipal level; prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers

Advise the Centre on conservation, sustainable use and benefit sharing.
Advise states on notifying Biodiversity Heritage Sites (Section 37).
Approve access requests from foreign individuals or entities for biological resources, research-result transfer or IPR, under Sections 3, 4 and 6.
Oversee SBBs, empower BMCs and form expert committees.

Parent law: Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Heritage sites provision: Section 37.
Indian citizens only give prior intimation to the SBB (Section 7); foreigners need NBA approval.

Test yourself

1. Where is the National Biodiversity Authority headquartered?

NBA is headquartered in Chennai.

2. Which section lets NBA advise states on Biodiversity Heritage Sites?

Section 37 covers Biodiversity Heritage Sites.

3. Which bodies prepare People's Biodiversity Registers?

BMCs at panchayat and municipal level prepare the registers.