The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is an Indian law for the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of biological resources. It implements the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and establishes a three-tiered institutional structure: the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs). The Act regulates access to biological resources, especially for foreign entities, and protects the traditional knowledge of local communities.  

Key objectives

Conservation: Protect and conserve the biological diversity of India. 
Sustainable use: Ensure the sustainable use of biological resources and their components. 
Benefit sharing: Provide for the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of India's biological resources and knowledge, particularly with local communities. 

Institutional structure

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): 
A statutory body that regulates access to biological resources by foreign nationals, institutions, or companies and handles requests for research results to be transferred to foreigners. 
State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs): 
Advise the state governments on conservation and benefit sharing and handle applications for commercial utilization within their states. 
Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs): 
Local committees that are responsible for promoting the conservation, sustainable use, and documentation of biodiversity in their area and chronicling related traditional knowledge. 

Other important provisions

Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS): 
The State Governments may notify areas of biodiversity importance as BHS, with local government consultation. 
Protection of traditional knowledge: 
The Act aims to protect and reward the traditional knowledge of local communities regarding biodiversity. 
Penalties: 
Violations of the Act can result in imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ₹10 lakh, or both. Fines may be increased in proportion to the damage caused.