What is the Issue: The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was passed on the eighth day of the Lok Sabha’s monsoon session. Members passed the bill on July 25, 2023 without any objection amid din on other issues. 

Amending India’s Biological Diversity Act: A Closer Look at the Proposed Changes

Introduction:

The Biological Diversity Act of 2002 in India was enacted to align with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and assert the country’s sovereignty over its biological resources. Recently, a bill was introduced to amend this significant legislation, sparking concerns and debate over its implications for biodiversity conservation in India.

Bill Overview

Major Amendments Proposed

1. Encouraging Medicinal Plant Cultivation:
   • Objective: Promote cultivation of medicinal plants
   • Potential Impact: Facilitate indigenous medical practices and offer economic opportunities to local communities
2. Boosting Indian System of Medicine:
   • Objective: Promote traditional Indian systems of medicine
   • Potential Impact: Strengthening cultural heritage and advancing holistic healthcare practices
3. Facilitating Collaborative Research and Investments:
   • Objective: Foster collaboration in research and attract investments
   • Potential Impact: Accelerate innovation in the field of traditional medicine and biodiversity-related studies
4. Reducing Regulatory Hurdles for Medicinal Product Practitioners and Companies:
   • Objective: Lessen the need for obtaining permission from the National Biodiversity Authority
   • Potential Impact: Streamline bureaucratic processes for the medicinal product industry
5. De-criminalizing Violations:
   • Objective: Remove certain violations from criminal penalties
   • Potential Impact: Altering the approach to enforcement and compliance
6. Exemption for Indian Systems of Medicine Practitioners:
   • Objective: Free practitioners from the need to seek approvals for accessing or sharing benefits
   • Potential Impact: Simplify processes for practitioners in traditional medicine systems

Conservation Concerns Unaddressed

• Challenges: Amendments do not adequately tackle issues related to biodiversity conservation in India
• Urgent Targets: India must take substantial steps to meet new conservation targets set at the 15th Conference of Parties to CBD in December 2022
• Time Limit: The world has just seven years to meet these ambitious targets, adding pressure to the conservation efforts

Conclusion:

While the proposed amendments to India’s Biological Diversity Act hold potential for promoting traditional medicine and facilitating research, they also raise concerns regarding biodiversity conservation. Striking a balance between economic interests and conservation imperatives becomes crucial as India navigates the path towards achieving the new global conservation targets within the set timeframe.

FAQs Related to the Biological Diversity Bill, 2021

Ques 1. What is the purpose of the Biological Diversity Bill, 2021?

Answer : The bill was sent to a joint committee to address concerns about industry favoritism and potential CBD contradictions, seeking recommendations for modifications.

Ques 2. Why was the Biological Diversity Bill, 2021 sent to a joint committee for review?

Answer : Bill referred to joint committee due to concerns about favoring industry, potential CBD contradiction. Committee to assess and recommend modifications.

Ques 3. How does the Biological Diversity Bill, 2021 address biodiversity conservation concerns in India?

Answer : Bill criticized for lacking broader biodiversity conservation focus. Conservationists urge provisions to meet urgent targets set in 2022.

Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill 2022 passed

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