The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 16, 2021 to amend the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

• The bill was introduced to provide a conducive environment for collaborative research and investments. It was also required to simplify the patent application process and widen the scope of access and benefit-sharing with local communities

Key Amendments Proposed: It provides exemption to registered AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) practitioners, and cultivated medicinal plants and their products from intimating the Biodiversity Boards for accessing biological resources.

• It provides for 11 additional members in the National Biodiversity Authority. It will now include six ex-officio members dealing with wildlife, forestry research, and Panchayati Raj ,four representatives from State Biodiversity Boards and a Member-Secretary.
• The central government can delegate the power to notify any species which is near- extinction as a threatened species, to the state government. However, before notifying any threatened species, the state government must consult the NBA.
• The role of state biodiversity boards has been strengthened and better clarified in the bill.
• Now, the state government will prescribe the composition of the Biodiversity Management Committee. Further, state governments may also constitute BMCs at the intermediate or district Panchayat level.
• The offences under the Act are cognizable and non-bailable. A cognizable offence is one for which a police officer may arrest an accused person without a warrant. The Bill makes it a civil offence.