India's Take On Conservation Of Biological Diversity

Introduction

To meet the obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity also known as Biodiversity Convention, India enacted The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 [hereinafter termed as "the Act"]. The present article is an effort to provide the context and summarize main provisions and stipulations under the Act.

The objective of the Act is "conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources, knowledge and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto." India is amongst the foremost developing nations to initiate the process of identification of its vast biodiversity, formulating guidelines for sharing of knowledge and use of it biodiversity, and setting up the National Biodiversity Authority to facilitate the same. The Act aims at striking a balance between a regulated and fair use of the country's biodiversity.