NBA Reconstituted Agrobiodiversity Expert Committee
- Context: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has reconstituted the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity under Section 13(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for a period of one year to provide expert guidance on the conservation, sustainable use and access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of agricultural biodiversity and related matters.
Agrobiodiversity Expert Committee: Role & Impact
- The Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity has been advising the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) since 2005.
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- It is updated from time to time to deal with new issues related to agricultural genetic resources. The committee includes experienced scientists and experts from agriculture, research, education, and policy fields.
- The committee helps implement the Biological Diversity Act by giving expert advice on important topics.
- These include international agreements like the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), rules for sharing benefits when seeds or animal materials are exported, and guidelines for research projects involving biological resources.
- Going forward, the committee will guide the NBA on:
- Including biodiversity in agriculture
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- Promoting sustainable farming practices
- Protecting native crops and livestock breeds
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- It will also support India’s role in global agreements on agricultural biodiversity.
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
- A statutory and autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
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- Establishment : Set up in 2003 by the Government of India
- Established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Headquarters: Located in Chennai
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- Objective :To implement the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Associated Bodies
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- State Biodiversity Boards (State level)
- Biodiversity Management Committees (local/village level)
- Functions
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- Regulatory, advisory, and facilitative roles
- Focus on conservation, sustainable use, and benefit sharing
- Implements Biodiversity Act, 2002 and Rules, 2004
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- Composition
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- Chairperson (expert in biodiversity)
- 10 ex-officio members (from Central Government)
- 5 non-official expert members
- Significance
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- Ensures benefit-sharing with local communities
- Promotes inclusive and sustainable development
- Supports India’s biodiversity targets and global commitments.
India’s Floating Solar Potential (NISE Report)
- Context: According to a national assessment by the National Institute of Solar Energy under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India’s reservoirs can support about 102 GW of floating solar capacity.
About Floating Solar
- Floating solar refers to solar power plants installed on water bodies like lakes, reservoirs, and ponds instead of land.
National Potential
- Around 1,946 sq. km of water surface in India is suitable for floating solar projects.
- This translates to an estimated 102.18 GW potential.
Cost Aspect
- Floating solar plants cost about 25% more initially than land-based systems due to floating structures, anchoring systems, and waterproofing needs.
Agri-Photovoltaics
- The government is also promoting agri-photovoltaics, where solar panels are installed above farmland, combining farming with power generation.
State-wise Potential
- Maharashtra (16.28 GW), Madhya Pradesh (14.89 GW), Karnataka (13.69 GW), Odisha (12.81 GW), Telangana (10.72 GW)
Major Project
- The Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park on the Narmada River is India’s largest floating solar project (278 MW), planned to expand up to 600 MW.
Significance
- Floating solar supports India’s goal of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
- It helps save land, improve waterbody usage, strengthen renewable energy supply, and improve grid stability.
