What's Biodiversity

All the different kinds of life you will find in one area, A kind of animals, plants, fungi and even Micro Organisms like Bacteria. is called Biodiversity.

Types of Biodiversity; 

3 types of Biodiversity:

                     1. Genetic 

                     2. Species

                     3. Ecosystem Diversity

Example of Biodiversity;

       Sunflowers, White Pine Tree, Blue Whales, White-Tailed Deer and Microscopic bacteria that can't even be seen by the naked eye.

Recently The Hindu News Paper;

The Biological Diversity (amendment) Bill, 2021 let's see

* Amends Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

        - To simplify compliance requirements for domestic companies.

Issue with Biological Diversity Act, 2022

* Famed - to give effect to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992.

             - Strives for sustainable, fair & equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilistion of biological resources & associated traditional knowledge.  

* Formulates - three-tier structure.

        - Natonal Level - National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).

        - State Level - state Biodiversity Boards (SBBs).

        - Local body Level - Biodiversity Management committees (BMCs).

               <> Ressponsibility of BMS - to document local biodiversity & associated knowledge in the form of  people's Biodiversity Register.

* Complaints by the traditional India Medicine prectitioners the seed sector and industry and researchers.

           - Act imposes a heavy compliance burden.

           - Difficult to conduct collaborative research & investments.

           - To simplify patent application processes.

Shortcomings of the Biological Diversity (amendment) Bill;

* Widen the scope of levying access & benefit sharing with local communities & foe further conservation of biological resources.

* Exempt registered AYUSH medical pratitioners & people accessing codified traditional knowledge - from giving prior intimation to state biodiversity boards - for accessing biological resources for certain purposes.

* Aimed at diluting the authority of  the national Biodiversity Authority (NBA).

* Provision of requiring companies to seek the approal of NBA only at the time of commercialization.

* Decriminalised violations.

   - Bio-Piracy - made civil offences.

Practice Question - Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements with reference to the Biological Diversity Act, 2022:

           1. Was enacted for the conservation of biological diversity & fair, equitable sharing of the                           monetary benefits from the commercial use of biological resources and traditional                                   knowledge.

          2. Was framed to give effect to the united Nations Convention on Biological Diversity                                  (CBD)

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2 

d) Neither 1 nor 2