Why in news?
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has launched a short‑term internship programme for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The initiative aims to expose young people to issues of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management while supporting state biodiversity boards and union territory councils in implementing the Biological Diversity Act. By drawing on student energy and curiosity, the programme seeks to build a cadre of conservation ambassadors across India.
Background
The NBA was created under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to oversee the conservation and sustainable use of India’s vast biological resources. Formally set up in 2003 and headquartered in Chennai, the authority functions as a facilitative, regulatory and advisory body for the Government of India. It works with state biodiversity boards and local biodiversity management committees to promote conservation, ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from biological resources, and regulate access to genetic material.
Structure and functions
- Composition: The NBA is headed by a chairperson with expertise in biodiversity conservation. Ten ex‑officio members drawn from key ministries provide policy inputs, and five non‑official experts bring independent perspectives from fields such as ecology, traditional knowledge, law and industry.
- Three‑tier framework: At the national level the NBA frames regulations and advises the central government. State Biodiversity Boards regulate access to resources within their jurisdiction, and Biodiversity Management Committees at the village or panchayat level document local biodiversity and oversee benefit sharing.
- Key responsibilities: The authority monitors and opposes unauthorised access to biological resources, advises the government on conservation measures, designates repositories for threatened species, and prepares reports on biodiversity heritage sites. It also processes applications from Indian and foreign entities seeking access to genetic material or traditional knowledge.
- Capacity‑building programmes: Through internships and training schemes, the NBA seeks to build awareness among students and researchers. The new internship programme supplements the longer Biodiversity Scholars Internship Programme (BSIP), which pairs interns with state boards and involves the United Nations Development Programme in capacity building.
Significance
- Conservation of heritage: By regulating access and promoting equitable benefit sharing, the NBA safeguards India’s biological wealth and associated traditional knowledge from exploitation.
- Empowering states and communities: The three‑tier structure ensures that conservation efforts are rooted in local realities. Gram panchayats and urban local bodies can record their biodiversity through People’s Biodiversity Registers and claim benefits when their resources are utilised.
- Creating future custodians: Internships and awareness programmes cultivate young professionals who understand biodiversity issues and can contribute to research, policy and advocacy.
Source: PIB
