MEVE 014: Unit 14 - National Biodiversity Laws and Legislation

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 UNIT 14: NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY LAWS AND LEGISLATION

14.1 Introduction

India, as one of the 17 mega-diverse countries, is rich in biodiversity. Recognizing the need to protect and sustainably use its biological wealth, the Government of India has enacted several laws and strategies aligned with both national priorities and international obligations. This unit explores the legislative framework governing biodiversity in India, focusing on the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, national and local strategies, intellectual property rights (IPR), eco-labelling practices, and landmark conservation projects.

14.2 Objectives

After reading this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand the importance and scope of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
  • Discuss various national biodiversity strategies and action plans.
  • Explain the interface between biodiversity and intellectual property rights.
  • Recognize the role of eco-labelling and DNA barcoding.
  • Identify major national conservation projects aimed at protecting endangered species.

14.3 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

This Act was enacted to fulfill India’s obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992. It provides a legal framework for:

  • Conservation of biological diversity.
  • Sustainable use of its components.
  • Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from biological resources.

14.3.1 Important Legal Features

  • Establishes the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).
  • Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) provisions regulate access to genetic resources and associated knowledge.
  • Local communities play a key role through BMCs in documenting and protecting traditional knowledge.
  • Foreign entities require prior approval for accessing biological resources.

14.4 National Biodiversity Policy

India’s biodiversity policy focuses on mainstreaming biodiversity conservation across sectors. It includes:

  • Integration of biodiversity in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and urban development.
  • Promotion of traditional knowledge and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
  • Strengthening institutional and legal frameworks.

14.5 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)

India’s NBSAP outlines national priorities for biodiversity conservation:

  • Conservation of ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity.
  • Promotion of sustainable use of biological resources.
  • Strengthening of traditional knowledge systems.
  • Public awareness, capacity-building, and research support.

14.6 Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (LBSAP) Guidelines

LBSAPs are localized versions of the national strategy, prepared by states or local governments. Key features include:

  • Community involvement in planning and monitoring biodiversity use.
  • Identification and documentation of biodiversity through People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs).
  • Integration with local development programs.

14.7 Brief Idea of Patents

Patents grant legal rights to inventors for new inventions, including biological products or processes. However:

  • India’s law excludes patents on plants, animals, and essentially biological processes.
  • Patents on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may be allowed under specific conditions.

14.8 Copyright

Copyright protects the expression of ideas, including educational materials, databases, and literature related to biodiversity.

  • It ensures recognition and rewards for authors or researchers.
  • Useful in documenting traditional ecological knowledge.

14.9 Trademark and Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS)

Trademarks protect brand names or symbols, and under TRIPS:

  • Countries must provide protection for intellectual property rights (IPRs), including biodiversity-linked products.
  • TRIPS recognizes geographical indications (GIs), which are vital for promoting indigenous biodiversity products (e.g., Darjeeling tea, Basmati rice).

14.10 Eco-labelling Notifications

Eco-labelling is a market-based tool to promote environmentally friendly products. In India:

  • The Ecomark scheme certifies products that meet environmental criteria.
  • It helps promote sustainable harvesting of biodiversity and consumer awareness.

14.11 DNA Barcoding

DNA barcoding is a genetic technique used to identify species using short sequences from a standardized region of the genome.

  • Useful in monitoring biodiversity, enforcing wildlife laws, and detecting species substitution.
  • India has adopted barcoding techniques in collaboration with international initiatives.

14.12 The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act, 2001

This Act provides intellectual property protection for new plant varieties while recognizing farmers’ rights. Key provisions:

  • Protection for breeders and researchers.
  • Rights of farmers to save, use, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds.
  • Recognition of traditional varieties and their custodians.

14.13 Conservation Projects

India has launched several flagship projects to conserve its rich biodiversity. These include species-specific and ecosystem-specific projects:

14.13.1 Save Barasingha Campaign

  • Focused on the Hard-ground swamp deer in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Habitat improvement and anti-poaching efforts helped population recovery.

14.13.2 Gir Lion Project

  • Aimed at protecting the Asiatic Lion in the Gir Forest, Gujarat.
  • Habitat conservation, relocation of villages, and prey base restoration are key strategies.

14.13.3 Project Tiger

  • Launched in 1973 to save the Bengal Tiger.
  • Creation of tiger reserves across India.
  • Monitoring through M-STrIPES technology.

14.13.4 Project Crocodile

  • Focused on conserving three species: mugger, gharial, and saltwater crocodile.
  • Included captive breeding and habitat protection.

14.13.5 Project Elephant

  • Initiated in 1992 to protect elephants and their habitats.
  • Measures include corridor development, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and eco-development.

14.13.6 Project Musk Deer

  • Conservation of the endangered Himalayan musk deer through protected areas and monitoring.

14.13.7 Project Brow-antlered Deer

  • Targeted at conserving the Sangai deer in Manipur’s KeibulLamjao National Park.
  • Emphasized wetland conservation and anti-poaching.

14.13.8 Project Lion-tailed Macaque

  • Designed to protect the endangered primate endemic to the Western Ghats.
  • Involves habitat conservation and community participation.

14.14 Let Us Sum Up

  • India has developed a comprehensive legal and policy framework for biodiversity conservation.
  • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 serves as the central legislation, supported by policies, action plans, and institutional mechanisms.
  • Conservation laws intersect with intellectual property rights, eco-labelling, and scientific innovations like DNA barcoding.
  • National conservation projects illustrate the practical application of biodiversity laws to safeguard endangered species.

14.15 Keywords

  • Biological Diversity Act – Legal framework for conservation and benefit-sharing.
  • NBA/SBB/BMC – Institutional bodies established under the Biodiversity Act.
  • TRIPS – International agreement on intellectual property rights.
  • Eco-labelling – Product certification based on environmental criteria.
  • DNA Barcoding – Genetic method to identify species.
  • PPVFR Act – Law to protect plant breeders and farmers' rights.
  • Project Tiger/Elephant/Lion – Flagship programs for species conservation.

 

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