Biodiversity Act, 2002 - An Analysis - Academike

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Biodiversity Act, 2002: An Analysis

February4,2015bykudrat LeaveaComment
ByUdishaGhoshandChandralekhaAkkiraju,SymbiosisLawSchool,Pune
EditorsNote:Biodiversityassumesimmensesignificanceforthesurvivalofhumanbeings
because we depend on it even for our most basic needs like food and medicines. India
houses a substantial portion of the worlds biodiversity. But India did not have a
comprehensivelawdealingwithconservationofbiodiversityuntil2002,whentheBiological
Diversity Act was enacted, in order to ensure compliance with the Convention of Biological
Diversity,1992.Factorslikepollution,overexploitationanddegradation,coupledwithnatural
causes,poseathreattobiodiversity.AlthoughtheActtriestodealwiththeseproblems,there
are still loopholes like inadequate access to local communities, noninclusion of genetic
resources and access benefit sharing. This paper analyses all these issues in detail and
attempts to provide plausible solutions that could help in dealing with these problems. It
examinessuccessfulbiodiversitylawsincountrieslikeCostaRicaanddiscussesprovisions
thatcanbeincorporatedintheIndianlegislation.Finally,itsuggestssolutionsforproblems
thatarespecifictoIndia.
Introduction
Biodiversity in the laymans word comprises of various life forms within the biosphere. It
contains life forms from the simple singlecelled microbes to highly complex organisms.
Biodiversityisthebasisoftheecosystemandisimportantforitsfunctioning.Wedependon
http://www.lawctopus.com/academike/biodiversityact2002analysis/
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biodiversityforourbaiscneedslikefood,shelter,medicinesetc.
Biodiversity is extremely complex, dynamic and varied. It includes innumerable plants,
animals, microbes, atmosphere (mixture of various gases), geosphere (solid part of the
earth)andhydrosphere(theliquidportiononEarth).
Biodiversitycanbroadlybedividedatthreelevelsi.e.geneticdiversity,speciesdiversityand
ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity management is required at all these levels because by
changingbiodiversity,westronglyaffecthumanwellbeingandthewellbeingofeveryother
livingcreature.
Existence of Biodiversity in India

According to the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, the total number of species on Earth
ranges from five to 30 million, and only 1.72 million species has been formally identified.
Indiaisoneofthe12megadiversecountriesoftheworld.Withonly2.5%oftheworldland
area,Indiahas7.8%ofglobalrecordedspecies.[i] India has 4 out of 34 global biodiversity
hotspots in the Eastern Himalayas, in the IndoBurma region. It further contains 45,968
speciesofplants91,364speciesofanimalsandover5,650microbialspecies.
Indiacontainsagreatwealthofbiologicaldiversityinitsforests,itswetlandsanditsmarine
areas. This richness is shown in absolute numbers of species and the proportion they
representoftheworldtotal.
Table1.ComparisonbetweenthenumberofspeciesinIndiaandtheworld.[ii]
GroupNumberofspeciesNumberofspeciesIndia(SI)intheworld(SW)(%)SI/SWin
Numberof
Numberof
species(SI)
species(SW)
Mammals
350
4,629
7.6
Birds
122
49,702
12.6
Reptiles
408
6,550
6.2
Amphibians
197
4,522
4.4
Group
SI/SW(%)
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Fishes
2546
21,730
11.7
Source:QuotedinBiodiversityProfileofIndia
Need for Biodiversity

Itisawellrecognisedfactthatthebiodiversityformsanintegralpartoflifeforallindividuals.
Itiswidelyestimatedthatmorethan70,000plantspeciesareusedintraditionalandmodern
medicines.Furthermore,foodandenergyareobtainedfromthebiospherewelivein.Aloss
ofbiodiversitywouldnotonlycauselossofrawmaterialsbutwouldalsohaveramifications
for global food security and nutrition. Biodiversity loss would not only have a negative
implication on the lives of the human beings but also on the lives of other species in the
ecosystem leading to the imbalance in the ecosystem and making it difficult for all the
organismstothriveintheirnaturalenvironment.
Threats to Biodiversity
Thethreatstobiodiversityincludesmanmadedestructionoftheecosystemandthenatural
causes which causes damage to the biodiversity. The following are the major reasons for
biodiversityloss:
Habitatlossanddegradation:Oneofthemajorthreatstothebiodiversityisthehabitat
losscausedduetohumandevelopmentinthesensitivebiologicalareas.Habitatloss
affects 86% of all threatened birds, 86% of the threatened mammals assessed, and
88%ofthethreatenedamphibians.[iii]
Overexploitationofnaturalresources
Pollutioncanbeconsideredtobeanotherfactor
Climatechangeaffectingchangesinthebiodiversity
Reasons
forenactment
Biodiversity Act
of
the
Biodiversity Act, 2002 came into existence much later than the other existing laws on
environment such as the Indian Forest Act, 1927 , Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 ,
Environment Protection Act, 1986 etc. Though all these legislations laid impetus on the
conservationoftheenvironment,yetnoneofthemproperlyaddressedallthedimensionsof
theecologicalandbiodiversitypreservation.
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Furthermore, India also became a signatory to various other ecological as well

environmentallaws,suchasthe[iv]
RamsarConservationonWetlands,1971
ConventionfortheProtectionofWorldCulturalandNaturalHeritage,1972
ConventiononInternationalTradeofEndangeredSpeciesofWildlifeFaunaandFlora,
1973
ConventionontheConservationofEuropeanWildlifeandNaturalHabitat,1979
WorldConservationStrategy,1980
theUnitedNationsConventiononBiologicalDiversity,1992
All these conventions were to cater to the needs of the protection to the wildlife and the
environment. However, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity for the first
timemadeacomprehensiveplanfortheprotectionofbiodiversity.Post1990s,therewasa
changeintheeconomicstructurefromclosedeconomytoopeneconomy.Thus,therewere
no laws to protect biopiracy by the developed nation on the Indian soil. Hence, a strong
legislation was required to curtail the overexploitation and piracy of the indigenous
resources.
Duringtheperiodof20002002,acivilsocietygroupwascommissionedforpreparingIndias
NationalBiodiversityStrategyandActionPlan.However,thisplanwasnotacceptedbythe
government. Therefore, the government decided to release its own draft on National
BiodiversityPlanwhichwasmadebythetechnocrats.TheActof2002,basedonthisplan
waspassedbytheLokSabhaon2ndDecember,2002andRajyaSabhaon11thDecember,
[v]
2002.TheobjectivesoftheActwere :
1.ConservationofBiologicaldiversity
2.Sustainableuseofitscomponents
3.Fairandequitablesharingofthebenefitsarisingoutofutilizationofgeneticresources.
[vi]
ApartfromthesemainobjectivestheActhasalsogivenforcetosomeofthetermsofCBD
bythefollowingprovisions:
1.To set up National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Board(SBB) and
BiodiversityManagementCommittees(BMCs).
2.Torespectandprotectknowledgeoflocalcommunitiestraditionalknowledgerelatedto
biodiversity.
3.Toconserveanddevelopareasofimportancefromthestandpointofbiologicaldiversity
bydeclaringthembiologicaldiversityheritagesites.
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The Biological Diversity Act of 2002 and the Biological Diversity Rules, 2004 are
implemented by National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, State Biological
Board(SBB)atstatelevelandBiodiversityManagementCommittees(BMCs)atlocallevels.
[vii]
Someofthemajorfunctionsoftheseauthoritiesare :
To regulate activities of, approve and advice the Government of India on matters
relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and
equitablesharingofbenefits.
TograntapprovalunderSections3,4and6ofBiodiversityAct,2002
To notify areas of biodiversity importance as biodiversity heritage sites under this act
andperformotherfunctionsasmaybenecessarytocarryouttheprovisionsoftheAct.
Totakemeasurestoprotectbiodiversityofthecountryaswellastoopposethegrantof
intellectualpropertyrightstoanycountryoutsideoranybiologicalresourcesobtained
fromIndia.
TheNBAdealswiththerequestsforaccesstothebiologicalresourcesaswellastransferof
informationoftraditionalknowledgetoforeignnationals,institutionsandcompanies.Through
thiswaypiracyofIntellectualPropertyRightsinandaroundIndiaisprevented,italsosaves
theindigenouspeoplefromexploitation.
The recent developments relating to NBA implementation include the establishment of
designated National Repository (DNR) under Section 39 as an important aspect of
infrastructure for biodiversity conservation. This DNR provides service providers for
preservedspecimenconsistingallfaun,herbarium(driedplantmaterialforresearch),living
cells,genomesoforganismsandinformationrelatingtohereditaryandfunctionofbiological
[viii]
system.
Lacunae in the Act

The formulation of the BD Act, 2002 nearly took a decade after the ratification of the
Convention on Biological Diversity. Thus, it clearly demonstrates that the government
officials, NGOs and academicians formulated the provisons after thorigh research and
considderation. Eventually with the enactment of the Biodiversity Rules under BD Act in
2004, there was an establishment of Biodiversity Management Committee which gave
powerstothelocalandindigenouscommunitiestovoiceoutthereopinionconservation,use
andequitablesharing.
However,certainlacunasarestillapparentintheAct.Amajorflawisthatthisactdoesnot
give suffiecient consideration to conservation rather it lays more emphasis on preventing
profitsharing from the commercial use of the biological resources. It is true that the
foundationofthisactwaslaidtopreventbiopiracybythedevelopednations.However,one
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cannotforgetanothermajoraimofthisacti.e.toprotectthebiodiversity.
TheConstitutional Viewpoint
Article 14 Whether or not the classi cation meets the
objectives of the Act
TheIndianConstitutionguaranteesasetofFundamentalRightstoitscitizensunderPartIII
of the Constitution. Some of these fundamental rights are guaranteed to citizens and non
citizensaswell.Article21andArticle14aretwoofthefundamentalrightsguaranteedeven
tononcitizens.ItisnecessarytoexaminehowArticle14isviolatedbytheBiodiversityAct,
2002. The act distinguishes citizens of India and other persons on the basis of citizenship
andresidentialstatus.ForanylegislationtobeintraviresArticle14ithastopasstwotests
Theintelligibledifferentiatest
Therationalnexuswiththeobjectiveoftheacttest
The intelligible differentia states that a classification in itself does not make the Act/action
ultravires. An act becomes ultravires when the classification is not based on intelligible
differentia. In the given act, the classification is based on both citizenship and residential
status.Nowaftertheclassificationtestispassedthelegislationshouldpassthetestthatthe
classification must have a rational nexus with the objective of the act. The objective of this
act areconservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of resources and fair and
equitablesharingofbenefitsarisingoutofutilizationofgeneticresources.Theobjectivesthat
theactseekstoachieveandtheclassificationofpersonsandotherpersonsdonothavea
rationalnexuswiththeobjectivesofthisacti.e.toconserveofbiologicaldiversity.
Secondly, these provisions deter foreign joint ventures as well as collaboration with foreign
scientistsbecauseofstrictprohibitiononevenminorequityholdingsinacompany.Itwould
beimpracticalforacompanyholdingthousandsofsharestofollowthisprocedurewhenonly
aminorportionofsharesareheldbyotherpersonsorcorporationsnotbasedinIndia.There
should be restrictions when, the nonIndian shareholders are in a position to influence the
decisionsandmanagementofthecompanyinquestion,nototherwise.
Finally,theactassumesthatresidentcitizensofIndiaandcorporationsofIndiaarenevera
threat to biodiversity. The main objective of the act is conservation of biodiversity and the
legislatorsshouldbearinmindthateventheIndiancitizenresidentsandIndiancorporations
canbeexploitative.
Thus, the act has to grant approvals for access or IPRs keeping in mind the following
considerations:
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Whether the said access comprehensively gives greater rights leading to the
developmentoftheholdersofthetraditionalknowledge.
Whetherthesaidaccessisdetrimentaltobiodiversity.
Spirit of Federal Structure

The CBD prescribes for protection and conservation of biodiversity and establishment of
institutionsatthenationalandstatelevel.Statebiodiversityauthoritiesformedundertheact
donothavecompleteautonomyandtheirpowersaremerelyrestrictedtothatofanadvisory
bodyabidingbytheguidelinesissuedbytheCentralGovernment.Stategovernmentsshould
begrantedmoreautonomyinabottomupapproachtosolveproblemsrelatedtobiodiversity.
Concerned state governments should also be consulted to notify threatened species and
biodiversityheritagesitesalongwithBMCs.
Role of local communities

Ananalysisoftheprovisionsrevealsthatlocalconcernedcommunitiesdonothaveanyreal
powerinthedecisionmakingprocess.RegulationofaccessisdonebyNBAandSBBand
notthelocalcommunities.TheNBAmayconsultthecommunitiestoworkoutbenefitsharing
mechanismsafterthedecisiontoallowaccessismade[ix].Thecommunitieshavenosayin
deciding whether or not the access should be allowed in the first place. They are not well
informed as to their rights and have very less knowledge of the system of IPRs or
commercialuseofthetraditionalknowledge,andthishighlycentralizedapproachisnotbeof
greatbenefit.
It is important to note that an ordinary citizen cannot directly approach the court. An
aggrieved benefitclaimer is required to give prior notice of his/her intention to make a
complaint.ElsehehastofileacomplainttotheNBA,whichwillthentakenecessaryaction.
Theabsenceoflocusstanditoallcitizensisofgraveconcern.Sincelocalcommunitiesare
aware of the manner in which bio resources from their village are being used and would
noticeanyunwantedoutsideinfluenceoverresourceextractionorexternalpartiesinterested
inresourceextraction,theirvigilancewouldhelpinpreventingbiopiracy,aswouldtheother
civil society organizations and individuals. Having to go through government institutions
[x]
wouldonlydelaytheirabilitytogetanyremedy.
Prior Informed Consent

Prior informed consent is defined as a process by which owner or holder of knowledge or
resources must agree to the collection or use of these before an activity takes place. The
applicant who wants access must provide all pertinent information so that the community
[xi]
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maymakeaninformeddecision.
[xi]
Evolution of principles of Prior informed Consent:[xii]

Indigenouspeoplesrighttofree,priorandinformedconsent(FPIC)hasbeenrecognizedby
a number of intergovernmental organizations, international bodies, conventions and
international human rights law in varying degrees and increasingly in the laws of State.
Development projects and operations, legal and administrative regimes have had and
continue to have a devastating impact on indigenous people, undermining their ability to
sustainthemselvesphysicallyandculturally.
The United Development Programme (UNDP) presented a report of the InterAgency
Support Group on Indigenous Issues on FPIC at the Permanent Forum in May 2004
(E/C.19/2004/11).SomeUNagencieshavetosomeextent,implementedFPIConanadhoc
basisinlinewiththeirgeneralguidelinesorlegalinstrumentsandprinciplestoenhancetheir
partnershipwithIndigenouspeoples(IPs).However,itstatesthatthereisnointernationally
agreeddefinitionorunderstandingoftheprincipleormechanismforimplementation.
Prior Informed Consent and Bio Diversity

TheConventiononBiologicalDiversity1992initsarticle8(J)callsoncontractingstates,
Torespect,preserveandmaintainknowledge,innovationsandpracticesofindigenousand
local communities..and promote their wider application with the approval and
involvementoftheholdersofsuchknowledge,innovationandpractices.
TheCartagenaProtocolonBioSafety(2000)totheConventiononBiologicalDiversityalso
recognizes FPIC applies in the trans boundary movement, transit, handling and use of all
livingorganisms.TheFifthConferenceofParties(COP)totheCBDDecisionV/16expresses
a firm commitment to the implementation of PIC in its general principles: Access to
traditionalknowledge,innovationandpracticesofindigenousandlocalcommunitiesshould
be subject to prior informed consent or prior informed approval from the holders of such
knowledge,innovationsandpractices.
Importance of Prior Informed Consent

PriorInformedconsentisimportantprimarilyfortworeasons:
1.Thatthelocalcommunitiesortraditionalknowledgeholderscanassessthecommercial
valueofthetraditionalknowledgeorproductforwhichaccessorapatentissoughtto
makeaninformeddecisionforgrantinganaccess.
2.Thatthelocalcommunitiesandthecorrespondingcountriesmakeaninformeddecision
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regardingthesafetyoftheresourceorotherGMOs(GeneticallymodifiedOrganisms).
Prior Informed Consent in the Biodiversity Act

Therearenumberofissuesrelatingtotheprovisionsofconsultationwithlocalcommunities.
Firstlythetermconsultationdoesnotmeanconsentandisthereforemuchweakerthatthe
requirement of consent of local body. The term is often ambiguously used to mean only
talkingtoafewvillagers,ortoaheadofavillage,orcorporateinanurbansetting.Genuine
consultation must involve the entire relevant community or settlement in languages and
modesthattheyarecomfortablewith.Makingpeoplefullyawareoftheprosandconsoftheir
grantingconsentisanimportantpreconditionfortheirtrulyexcisingtheoptiontosayyesor
no.UnfortunatelytheActandCentralRulesleavetheinterpretationofthewordwideopen
andthereforedonotfacilitatecompleteparticipationoflocalcommunities.
Access Bene tSharing

Access Benefit Sharing can be described as the process when bioresources or peoples
knowledge are accessed, the user/ accessor must compensate the provider community
either in financial terms or acknowledge the source.[xiii] However once access is allowed,
thenthechallengesforregulatorymechanismsaretoidentifyandclaimashareofbenefits
andtoensurejustandequitablesharing.Article16oftheConventiononBiologicalDiversity
statesthewaysinwhichtheAccessandTransferofTechnologyshouldtakeplace.
The Act centralises all the property rights either in the hand of state through sovereign
appropriation or in the hands of private inventors through monopoly of intellectual property
rights.Itdoesnothoweverprovideaframeworkfortherightsofallotherholdersofbiological
resources and related information. The consequence is that resources and knowledge are
notallocatedthroughintellectualpropertyrights,therestisfreelyavailable.[xiv]
The Nagoya Protocol on access benefit sharing in Tokyo in 2001 is an agreement which
aims at sharing the benefits arising from utilisation in a fair and equitable way, thereby
contributing in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Genetic resources
rangingfromplants,animals,microorganismsareusedforvariousreasonsfromresearchto
products etc. However, at times the traditional knowledge so associated with the genetic
resources is obtained from the indigenous and local communities, providing valuable
informationtoresearchers.[xv]
Scenario in India
India is trying to develop and implement laws and policies on access benefit sharing.
However,therehavebeenseveralchallengeswhichareemergingduringtheprocess:
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1.There is no clear distinction made between genetic resources and biological

resources in the legislation. Hence, the collection, sale, or purchase of a single
biologicalspecimenconstitutesaccesstogeneticresources.[xvi]Thisseemscontraryto
entiremotiveoftheact.Hence,easyexploitationofthenaturalresources.
2.Thelawdoesnotspecificallyaddressthequestionofownershipovergeneticresources
sincetrackinggeneticresourcesandensuringlegalcompliancebytheusersofgenetic
resources is difficult. Furthermore these genetic resources are accessed by different
bio prospectors (collectors, researchers, and others) and various other international
companies for different purposes. The ABS law does not differentiate between these
uses.
3.Furthermore in India, only a few bio prospecting proposals have been submitted and
approved. Details of negotiation procedures are not yet available, and, hence, the
effectivenessoftheActinpracticehasyettobeseen.[xvii]Thisposesmorechallenges
fortheimplementationofthegivenbiodiversitylaw.
Recommendations
Havingraisedtheaboveissues,solutionscanbeproposedbyusingatwoprogedapproach
Recommendations on the lines of successful Biodiversity laws in some of the best
biodiversityhotspotsintheworlds
General recommendations regarding implementation to achieve the objective of the
BiodiversityActinitstruespirit.
Successful Bio Diversity Laws in other nations

CostaRicaisacountrywith0.1%ofworldslandandishometo5%ofworldsbiodiversity.
The biodiversity laws of Costa Rica enacted in 1997 are considered to be the best in the
world,intermsoffulfillingthetrueobjectivesofCBDforsustainableuseofbiodiversity.The
law establishes an administrative body within the Ministry of Environment, Energy and
Telecommunications (MEET) to oversee both the National System of Conservation Areas
(SINAC) and National Biodiversity Administration Committee (CONAGEBIO). Duties of
SINAC and CONAGEBIO include the administration of national wild protected areas,
ensuringenvironmentalsafety,conservationandthesustainableuseoftheecosystemsand
species, regulating access to genetic resources, intellectual property rights, education and
public awareness and research and transfer of technology, environmental impact
assessment,incentivesandadministrativeproceduresandsanctions.
CONAGEBIOisanationalindependentcommissionwhichoverseesandformulatespolicies
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onaccesstogeneticandbiochemicalelementsandprotectionofassociatedknowledge,as
well as coordinating these policies with the relevant institutions. It also formulates and
coordinates the policy for access to elements of biodiversity and associated knowledge,
ensuringasuitabletransferofscienceandtechnologyandthedistributionofbenefits.
Incentives Approach
ThebiodiversitylawofCostaRicaincludesthepromotionofincentivesintheobjectives
To promote the adoption of incentives and the reward of environmental services for
conservation,thesustainableuseandthecomponentsofbiodiversity.
ChapterVIIofthelawdealswithincentives,rangingfromfinancialandtechnicalassistance
tohelpingintheconservationofbiodiversitytoencouragingeffortsandresearch.Incentives
arealsogivenforcommunityparticipationandinvestmentsforoveralldevelopment.
Biosafety Approach
Thelawincludestheissueofbiosafetyintheobjectivesbyspecifying
Toensureenvironmentalsafetytoallcitizensasaguaranteeofsocial,economicandcultural
sustainability.
Article 46 of the law deals with the issue of biosafety by not only mentioning details of
obtainingpermissionrelatingtouseofGMOs,butalsoaregularthreemonthreportbythe
user to the concerned authority, to maintain utmost standards of environmental safety. The
precautionaryprinciple,toavoidthedefenceofscientificuncertaintyhasbeenexplicitlyputin
placeinArticle11oftheAct.
Educational and Public Awareness Approach

Thelawstipulatesthatoneofitsobjectivesis
Topromoteeducationandpublicawarenessabouttheconservationanduseofbiodiversity.
Chapter VII emphasises on creating public awareness and education. Such laws are very
essential in a country like India, because traditional knowledge holders are generally tribal
communities,whoarecutawayfromtherestoftheworld,andeducationwouldhelpthemto
appreciatethecommercialvalueoftheirproductortraditionalknowledge.
Prior Informed Consent Approach

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The law in Costa Rica lays great emphasis on Prior Informed Consent (PIC). The PIC of
communitiesinvolvedismademandatory.Anagreementofthispriorinformedconsenthas
to be attached before access is sought and the same has to be ratified by the technical
officerbeforegrantingtheaccesses.Therightoflocalcommunitiesandindigenouspeopleto
opposeanyaccesstotheirresourcesandassociatedknowledge,beitforcultural,spiritual,
social, economic or other motives, is recognised. Furthermore to prevent any threat of
biodiversity,thereisanecessityforduplicationanddepositofsamplesetc.collectedwiththe
concernedauthority[xviii].
Multi Sectoral Approach

Conservationofbiodiversityinvolvesmultiplestakeholdersandamultisectoralapproachis
necessary for its conservation in all spheres of ecosystem. The law requires requires each
ministry to monitor biodiversity, be aware of environmental impact of activities within the
sphereofresponsibilityandworktogethercooperatively.
ExplicitincorporationoftheseapproachesintheIndianlawcanhelpinsuccessfullydealing
withtheloopholesintheBiodiversityAct.
Other General Recommendations

1.The Biodiversity Act and Rules do not mention about the linkages between the BMC
and the other local bodies and institutions which seem relevant to the Village Forest
Communities , Ecodevelopment Committees, Van Suraksha Samitis , Joint Forest
ManagementCommittees,PaniPanchayatsetc.Thelackoflinkagescanbeareason
of conflict. Even before the enactment, there was a plethora of local committees,
workingfordifferentpurposes.Thereforeaspecialcommitteeshouldbesetupjustfor
thepurposeofintegrationofallthesedifferentcommittees.Aclassicexamplecanbe
the Madhya Pradesh Rules Section 23(2) which states that It is possible for the
Biological State Rules to specify the linkages to establish integration and better
functioningofvariousbodies.[xix]
2.Anothermajorflawthathasbeenalreadydiscussedisthattherehasbeennomention
about genetic resources, though genetic resources form an integral part of the
biodiversity.However,sincethelawdoesnotspecificallydealwiththeownershipofthe
genetic resources, these resources can be exploited by various bioprospectors and
other international companies for different purposes. Further, the exclusion of the
human genetic material from scope of the act may lead to the problem of cloning
crisis.Therefore,thetermhumangeneticmaterialshouldbeincludedunderthebroad
definitionofthebiologicalresources.
3.The Act does not mention any form of distinction between the people who use the
biological resources for their individual purposes and those who use it sustainability
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purposes.Thiscouldplayamajorroleinthebiodiversityconservationprocess,since
relaxation of the rules for the people helping in the sustainable and valuable use of
theseindigenousresourcescanmotivatepeopletoperformresearchanduseitforthe
welfareofthemankind.
Conclusion
India has made a legal policy and framework regarding biodiversity which enables it to
addresssomecrucialissueswithregardtoprotectionofbiodiversity.But,thepresentpolicy
is far from being adequate, since some major concerns as discussed above are yet to be
addressed. The only way to overcome such a situation is by making amendments in the
legislationandadoptingastrongerproactivecommunityparticipation.
It it is also necessary to include all life forms including human genes into the broader
definition of biological resources to prevent any form of exploitation. The civil society
organisations should also try to create awareness among the local communities about the
Biodiversity Act and the rights it guarantees to them. Also since change cannot achieved
throughisolatedefforts,itisessentialtobuildformalandinformalnetworksamongfarmers,
civil society associations, grass root organisations, scientific and academic institutions and
government organisations. This would lead to better conservation and protection of
biodiversity.
EditedbyKudratAgrawal
[i] Implementation of Biological Diversity Act in India: An Overview with Case Studies 24th
August2011,PravatChandroSutar(PartI),NigamanandaSwain(PartI).
[ii]http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/hpg/cesmg/indiabio.html.
[iii]Id.
[iv]PowerpointPresentationonBiodiversityAct,2002:OverviewByGourammaFPatiland
MehreenMir
[v]CriticalReviewofTheBiologicalDiversityAct2002byPunamSinghChandel.
www.academia.edu/242307/Critical_Review_of_Biodiversity_Act_2002.
[vi]PreambleoftheBioDiversityAct,2002.
[vii]Id.
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[viii]Id.
[ix]Rule20oftheBioDiversityRules,2004.
[x]AGuidetotheBiologicalDiversityAct2002byKalpavriksh.
[xi]Id.
[xii]WORKSHOPONFREE,PRIORANDINFORMEDCONSENT(17th19thJanuary2005)
bytheUnitedNations.
[xiii]ArticleonTheLegalMeaningofBiodiversityKanchiKohli,ShaliniBhutani
[xiv]Id.
[xv]LivingwithHarmonyThe Nagoya Protocol on Access Benefit Sharing By Convention
on Biological diversity, https://www.cbd.int/undb/media/factsheets/undbfactsheetnagoya
en.pdf.
[xvi] On the mountains Access and Benefit Sharing from Genetic Resources,
www.icimod.org.
[xvii]Id.
[xviii]Article71oftheBiodiversityLaw,1997ofCostaRica.
[xix]AGuidetotheBiologicalDiversityAct,2002,byKalpavriksh.
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19/19

Biodiversity Act, 2002 - An Analysis - Academike

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Biodiversity Act, 2002 - An Analysis - Academike

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8/7/2016

Biodiversity Act, 2002: An Analysis

Existence of Biodiversity in India

Need for Biodiversity

Furthermore, India also became a signatory to various other ecological as well

Lacunae in the Act

Spirit of Federal Structure

Role of local communities

Prior Informed Consent

Evolution of principles of Prior informed Consent:[xii]

Prior Informed Consent and Bio Diversity

Importance of Prior Informed Consent

Prior Informed Consent in the Biodiversity Act

Access Bene tSharing

1.There is no clear distinction made between genetic resources and biological

Successful Bio Diversity Laws in other nations

Educational and Public Awareness Approach

Prior Informed Consent Approach

Multi Sectoral Approach

Other General Recommendations

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