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. 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 Promoting sustainable farming practices Protecting native crops and livestock breeds 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 Establishment : Set up in 2003 by the Government of India Established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 Headquarters: Located in Chennai Objective :To implement the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 Associated Bodies State Biodiversity Boards (State level) Biodiversity Management Committees (local/village level) Functions Regulatory, advisory, and facilitative roles Focus on conservation, sustainable use, and benefit sharing Implements Biodiversity Act, 2002 and Rules, 2004 Composition Chairperson (expert in biodiversity) 10 ex-officio members (from Central Government) 5 non-official expert members Significance Ensures benefit-sharing with local communities Promotes inclusive and sustainable development Supports India’s…
