NBA Releases Rs 6.09 Crore To Strengthen Biodiversity Governance In States, UTs

New Delhi, Feb 12 (KNN) The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has released financial assistance of Rs 6.09 crore to State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) during FY 2025–26.

The allocation, based on proposals received from States and Union Territories, is aimed at strengthening India’s decentralised biodiversity governance framework.

The assistance supports institutional and programmatic components necessary for implementation of the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 at the State and local levels.

The current phase marks a shift from the mere constitution of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) towards enhancing their functionality, improving the quality of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), and strengthening Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms.

The funding is intended to reinforce statutory institutions, improve biodiversity documentation and accelerate grassroots-level implementation of conservation and equitable benefit-sharing provisions.

BMCs, constituted by local bodies under Section 41 of the Act, form the foundation of India’s community-based biodiversity governance system. They are responsible for preparing and maintaining PBRs, which document local biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.

With a substantial number of PBRs prepared within defined timelines, the focus has shifted to quality enhancement, capacity building, technical guidance through thematic expert committees, peer learning initiatives, digital strengthening through website development and broader awareness generation.

India has achieved the constitution of 2,76,653 BMCs and preparation of 2,72,648 PBRs, representing one of the largest participatory biodiversity documentation exercises globally.

By reinforcing local institutions and linking conservation efforts with community welfare, the NBA continues to promote an inclusive model of biodiversity governance aimed at ecological sustainability and livelihood security.

(KNN Bureau)