<–2/”>a >National Biological Diversity Act was enacted in 2002 for giving effect to the provisions of the CBD. Objective of this act is to regulate the access to genetic Resources and protection of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity. This act provides for establishment of Statutory Bodies such as National Biodiversity Authority, State Biodiversity Boards, National and State Biodiversity Funds, Biodiversity Management Committee etc.
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003 by the Central Government to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002). The NBA is a Statutory body and that performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory function for Government of India on issue of Conservation, sustainable use of biological resource and fair equitable sharing of benefits of use.
The Biological diversity Act (2002) mandates implementation of the provisions of the Act through decentralized system with the NBA focusing on advice 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; advice the State Government 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 sites.
The state Biodiversity Board (SBBs) focus on advice the State GovernmentS, subject to any guidelines issued by the Central Government, on matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources.The NBA considers requests by granting approval or otherwise for undertaking ant activity referred to in Sections 3,4 and 6 of the Act.
The SBBs also regulate by granting of approvals or otherwise upon requests for commercial utilization or bio-survey and bio-utilization of any biological resource by the Indians.The Local Level Biodiversity Management committees (BMCs) are responsible for promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity including preservation of habitats, conservation of land races, folk varieties and cultivators, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals and Microorganisms besides chronicling of knowledge relating to biological diversity.
The NBA with its Headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India delivers its mandate through a structure that comprises of the Authority, secretariat, SBBs, BMCs and Expert Committees.
State Biodiversity Board
The Biodiversity Act 2002 mandates each state to notify its State Biodiversity Board. We note here that there is no provision for a Biodiversity Board for a Union Territory because Union Territories have been placed under National Biodiversity Authority.
Functions of State Biodiversity Board include:
- To advise state governments on matters of Biodiversity conservation
- Regulate commercial use of bio-resources in the state by Indians. This has two exceptions:
- Vaids and Hakims, who are practicing Indian medicinal system.
- Local People, who use the bioresources for local use.
National Biodiversity Fund
Whatever Money National Biodiversity Authority receives as fees, fines etc. and whatever money it gets as grants etc. is kept in the National Biodiversity Fund. The money from this fund is used to benefit the claimers and promotion of conservation and socio-Economic Development in source areas.
State Biodiversity Fund
This fund has to be created at state level to credit any grants and loans made to the State Biodiversity Board by the National Biodiversity Authority and money from other sources. The money is used in the management and conservation of heritage sites; compensating or rehabilitating any section of the people economically affected when an area is declared Biodiversity Heritage Sites; and conservation and promotion of biological resources.
Biodiversity Heritage Sites
“Biodiversity Heritage Sites” (BHS) are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile Ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components: richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories, high endemism, presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance, wild ancestors of domestic/ cultivated species or their varieties, past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity, with or without a long history of human association with them,
The National Biological Diversity Act of 2002 (NBDA) is a law that was passed by the United States Congress in order to protect the nation’s biological diversity. The NBDA establishes a national policy for the conservation, management, and use of biological diversity, and it provides for the establishment of a national biological diversity information system. The NBDA also requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a national strategy for the conservation of biological diversity, and it authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to states and localities for the conservation of biological diversity.
The NBDA is divided into the following subtopics:
- Title I: Findings and Declaration of Policy
- Title II: Definitions
- Title III: Conservation of Biological Diversity
- Title IV: National Biological Diversity Information System
- Title V: National Strategy for the Conservation of Biological Diversity
- Title VI: Financial Assistance
- Title VII: General Provisions
- Title VIII: Authorization of Appropriations
- Title IX: Severability
- Title X: Effective Date
Title I: Findings and Declaration of Policy
Title I of the NBDA sets forth the findings and declaration of policy of the United States Congress with respect to the conservation of biological diversity. The findings state that biological diversity is essential to the Health and well-being of the nation, and that the loss of biological diversity is a serious threat to the nation’s economy, Environment, and security. The declaration of policy states that the purpose of the NBDA is to conserve the nation’s biological diversity, and to promote the sustainable use of biological resources.
Title II: Definitions
Title II of the NBDA defines the terms used in the Act. The definitions include terms such as “biological diversity,” “conservation,” “management,” “use,” and “sustainable use.”
Title III: Conservation of Biological Diversity
Title III of the NBDA establishes a national policy for the conservation of biological diversity. The policy states that the conservation of biological diversity is a national priority, and that the federal government should take a Leadership role in the conservation of biological diversity. The policy also states that the conservation of biological diversity should be based on the best available scientific information, and that it should be carried out in a manner that is consistent with the other national goals of the United States.
Title IV: National Biological Diversity Information System
Title IV of the NBDA establishes a national biological diversity information system. The system is to be a central repository for information on the nation’s biological diversity. The system is to be used to collect, store, and disseminate information on the nation’s biological diversity, and to provide access to that information to the public.
Title V: National Strategy for the Conservation of Biological Diversity
Title V of the NBDA requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a national strategy for the conservation of biological diversity. The strategy is to be developed in consultation with the states, tribes, and other interested parties. The strategy is to identify the goals and objectives for the conservation of biological diversity, and to describe the actions that will be taken to achieve those goals and objectives.
Title VI: Financial Assistance
Title VI of the NBDA authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to states and localities for the conservation of biological diversity. The assistance can be used for a variety of purposes, such as the acquisition of land, the development of conservation plans, and the implementation of conservation projects.
Title VII: General Provisions
Title VII of the NBDA contains a number of general provisions. These provisions include provisions on the relationship of the NBDA to other laws, on the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to implement the NBDA, and on the reporting requirements of the Secretary of the Interior.
Title VIII: Authorization of Appropriations
Title VIII of the NBDA authorizes appropriations for the implementation of the NBDA. The appropriations are authorized for a period of five years.
Title IX: Severability
Title IX of the NBDA provides that if any provision of the Act is held to be invalid, the remainder of the Act shall remain in full force and effect.
Title X: Effective Date
Title X of the NBDA provides that the Act shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of its enactment.
The NBDA is an important piece of legislation that will help to protect the nation’s biological diversity. The Act establishes a national policy for the conservation of biological diversity, and it provides for the establishment of a national biological diversity information system. The NBDA also requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a national strategy for the conservation of biological diversity, and it authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to states and localities for the conservation of biological diversity.
What is the National Biodiversity Act 2002?
The National Biodiversity Act 2002 is a law that was passed in India to protect and conserve the country’s biological diversity. The law defines biological diversity as the variety of life on Earth, including Plants, animals, microorganisms, and ecosystems. It also includes the Genetic diversity within each species.
The law aims to protect biological diversity by regulating activities that could harm it, such as hunting, fishing, and logging. It also provides for the establishment of Protected Areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, where biological diversity can be conserved.
What are the benefits of biodiversity?
Biodiversity provides many benefits to humans, including:
- Food: We rely on plants and animals for food. Biodiversity ensures that we have a wide variety of foods to choose from.
- Medicine: Many plants and animals are used to make medicines. Biodiversity ensures that we have a wide variety of medicines to treat different diseases.
- Climate regulation: Biodiversity helps to regulate the climate. For example, forests help to absorb carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to Climate Change.
- Water purification: Biodiversity helps to purify water. For example, wetlands filter water and remove pollutants.
- Soil erosion control: Biodiversity helps to control soil erosion. For example, trees help to hold soil in place.
- Pollination: Biodiversity is essential for pollination, which is the process by which plants reproduce. Without pollination, many plants would not be able to reproduce and would eventually die out.
- Recreation: Biodiversity provides us with opportunities for recreation, such as hiking, camping, and fishing.
What are the threats to biodiversity?
The main threats to biodiversity are:
- Habitat loss: Habitat loss is the destruction or degradation of an organism’s natural habitat. This can be caused by human activities such as deforestation, mining, and urban development.
- Overexploitation: Overexploitation is the use of a resource at a rate that is greater than its ability to replenish itself. This can be caused by hunting, fishing, and logging.
- Pollution: Pollution is the contamination of the environment with harmful substances. This can be caused by industrial activities, agriculture, and transportation.
- Climate change: Climate change is the long-term change in the Earth’s climate. This can cause changes in temperature, Precipitation, and sea level. These changes can have a negative impact on biodiversity.
What can we do to protect biodiversity?
There are many things we can do to protect biodiversity, including:
- Reduce our impact on the environment: We can reduce our impact on the environment by making changes to our lifestyles, such as driving less, recycling more, and eating less meat.
- Support conservation efforts: We can support conservation efforts by donating to conservation organizations, volunteering our time, and spreading the word about the importance of biodiversity.
- Buy sustainable products: We can buy sustainable products, such as products that are made from recycled materials or that are produced in an environmentally friendly way.
- Get involved in politics: We can get involved in politics by voting for candidates who support environmental protection and by contacting our elected officials to let them know that we care about biodiversity.
What is the future of biodiversity?
The future of biodiversity is uncertain. If we do not take steps to protect it, biodiversity will continue to decline. This will have a negative impact on humans and on the planet as a whole. We need to take action now to protect biodiversity for future generations.
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Which of the following is not a component of biodiversity?
(A) Genetic diversity
(B) Species diversity
(C) Ecosystem diversity
(D) Cultural diversity -
Which of the following is the most important factor in determining the biodiversity of an area?
(A) Climate
(B) Soil type
(C) Landform
(D) Human activity -
Which of the following is the most common threat to biodiversity?
(A) Habitat loss
(B) Overexploitation
(C) Pollution
(D) Climate change -
Which of the following is the most effective way to protect biodiversity?
(A) Create protected areas
(B) Regulate hunting and fishing
(C) Reduce pollution
(D) All of the above -
Which of the following is a non-governmental organization that works to protect biodiversity?
(A) The World Wildlife Fund
(B) The Nature Conservancy
(C) Conservation International
(D) All of the above -
Which of the following is a treaty that aims to conserve biological diversity?
(A) The Convention on Biological Diversity
(B) The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(C) The Ramsar Convention
(D) All of the above -
Which of the following is a United Nations agency that works to protect biodiversity?
(A) The United Nations Environment Programme
(B) The Food and Agriculture Organization
(C) The World Health Organization
(D) All of the above -
Which of the following is a national law that aims to conserve biological diversity?
(A) The National Environmental Policy Act
(B) The Endangered Species Act
(C) The Clean Water Act
(D) All of the above -
Which of the following is a local law that aims to conserve biological diversity?
(A) The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
(B) The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
(C) The Marin County Open Space District
(D) All of the above -
Which of the following is a private organization that works to protect biodiversity?
(A) The Nature Conservancy
(B) The Sierra Club
(C) The Audubon Society
(D) All of the above