National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) Context: Following orders issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a “suo motu” proceeding, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) constituted a multi-disciplinary expert group on invasive alien species. About the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) An autonomous statutory body operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Protects India's biological resources and traditional knowledge. Performs regulatory, advisory, and facilitative functions. Origin Established: 1 October 2003. Created under: Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Rationale: To implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992. Objective: Biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). Key Functions Advises the Central Government on biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and benefit sharing. Recommends Biodiversity Heritage Sites to state governments under Section 37. Regulates approvals for foreign access, research transfer, and intellectual property rights under Sections 3, 4, and 6. Coordinates with 28 State Biodiversity Boards regarding commercial utilization and biodiversity research. Oversees approximately 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees that prepare People's Biodiversity Registers. Constitutes expert groups (e.g., on invasive alien species) to address emerging biodiversity issues. Significance Prevents biopiracy and ensures fair benefit-sharing with local communities. Helps India fulfill its obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. India's Fight Against Hepatitis Background: In alignment with the World Health Organization's (WHO) global targets, India is intensifying efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. To achieve this goal, the Government of India is implementing the 'National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme' (NVHCP), launched in 2018. The programme provides free testing, diagnosis, treatment, and medicines, while also promoting awareness, preventive measures, surveillance, and improved access to healthcare services across the country. About Hepatitis Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver; it affects the liver's normal functioning. It can be…
