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Biodiversity Of India

IAS Current Affairs

Biodiversity Of India

Source: PIB
GS III: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment

Overview

  1. News in Brief
  2. Biodiversity and its significance
  3. India’s Biodiversity Framework
  4. Key Conservation Mechanisms
  5. Major Achievements

Why in the News?

Press Information Bureau released its article on “India’s Biodiversity: Commitments and Achievements”, covering legal frameworks to local action.

News in Brief
  • According to the PIB release, India has established over 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and prepared more than 2.72 lakh People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs).
  • Strengthened ecological resilience and local stewardship.
  • India’s biodiversity conservation efforts ensured alignment with global biodiversity goals under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Biodiversity and its significance
  • Biodiversity refers to variety of life forms on earth including plants, animals, microorganisms and the ecosystem they form.
  • It is central to the health of environment and acts as the foundation of ecological balance.
  • It supports essential ecosystem services.
    • Includes; Pollination, soil formation, nutrient cycle, water purification and climate regulation.
  • Supports lives and livelihood.
    • Food production, water and air, medicines, disaster and climate resilience.
India’s Biodiversity Framework
  • Promotes fair benefit sharing while aligning national priorities with global biodiversity commitments.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Amended in 2023)

  • The  Act serves as India’s principal legal framework for;
    • Conservation of biological diversity.
    • Documenting and protection biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
    • Sustainable use of biological resources.
    • Fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
  • The 2023 Amendment strengthened implementation aligned with current needs, promoted research and innovation, enhanced community participation and supported traditional knowledge based practices.
  • Adopted three-tier biodiversity governance model, which helps to carry global and national biodiversity conservation goals to village, towns and cities.
    • National Level- National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
    • State/UT Level – State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and UT Biodiversity Councils.
    • Local Level – Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).
  • National Biodiversity Authority Fund (NBAF) is a statutory body created under Section 27 of Biological Diversity Act, supports biodiversity governance.
Key Conservation Mechanisms

Nagoya Protocol

  • Adopted during COP10 of the CBD in Nagoya, Japan.
  • Legally binding mechanism.
  • Ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of generic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
  • India has submitted its First National Report on Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR)

  • A local biodiversity database prepared with community participation.
  • It is an  essential tool for documentation, stronger conservation action and benefit sharing.
  • More than 2.72 lakh PBRs have been prepared nationwide.

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024-2030

  • It translates global biodiversity commitments into national priorities.
  • Provides a roadmap for conserving biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resources.
  • Promote coordinated action across ministries, institutions and local bodies.
  • The updated NBSAP aligns with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) which highlights  its international relevance.

Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanism (ABS)

  • Ensures that benefits derived from biological resources are shared with local communities.
    • 12,830 ABS approvals issued between 2017 and 2026.
    • around 11,000 Biodiversity Management Committees benefited.
    • nearly rupees 145 crore has been released to beneficiaries.
Major Achievements
  • Expansion of forests and tree cover – reached approximately 8.27 lakh sq.km, accounting for 25.17% of India’s total geographical area.
  • Growth of Protected area network –  India has over 1000+ protected areas, covering nearly 1.75 lakh sq.km, providing habitats for wildlife  and ecosystem conservation.
  • Strengthened species conservation (flagship species) – Increased tiger population from 2,226 in 2014 to 3.682 in the latest estimate.
  • Deepened community participation – Over 2.6 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees established.
    • Nationwide digitization of People’s Biodiversity Registers through e-PBR initiative and prepared over 2.72 lakh PBRs.
    • Empowered communities as key partners in biodiversity stewardship.

International Day For Biological Diversity, is observed every year on May 22.

  • The theme for 2026 “Acting locally for global impact”.

Way Ahead

  • Update strategies aligning with current needs.
  • Strengthen species recovery programs.
  • Enhance investment in biodiversity finance and ecosystem restoration.
  • Encourage community-led conservation (local stewardship).

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