← 25 October 2026's Current Affairs · Environment GA Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆
Quick scan: India and the Convention on Biological Diversity
Why in News?
Three goals, one 2002 Act, one Chennai body: the CBD-India link GS-III Environment keeps testing
India ratified the CBD in 1994 and implements it through the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2014
What you need to know
2 min read
India ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994.
The treaty rests on three goals: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
India enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 to give it effect.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- India ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994; the CBD was opened for signature at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit
- Three goals of the CBD: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources
- India's Biological Diversity Act, 2002 gives effect to the CBD
- Three-tier structure under the Act: National Biodiversity Authority (Chennai), State Biodiversity Boards, Biodiversity Management Committees
- Nagoya Protocol (2010) on Access and Benefit Sharing supplements the CBD
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- The Convention on Biological Diversity has three objectives: conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
- The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 was enacted by India to implement the CBD and is administered through the National Biodiversity Authority, State Biodiversity Boards and Biodiversity Management Committees.
- The National Biodiversity Authority is a statutory body headquartered in Chennai.
- The Nagoya Protocol deals with access to genetic resources and the fair sharing of benefits arising from their use.
Mains
GS-III (Environment): India's commitment under the CBD raises the question of balancing conservation with livelihoods and commercial use of genetic resources. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 answers it through a three-tier institutional set-up and access and benefit-sharing rules, and local Biodiversity Management Committees anchor community participation. The way forward lies in strengthening these committees, documenting traditional knowledge and curbing biopiracy.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Consider the following international agreements:
- The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
- The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
- The World Heritage Convention
Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: D
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Consider the following statements about the Lalit Kala Akademi, whose awards were recently presented by the President at the 65th National Exhibition of Art:
- It was established in 1954.
- It functions under the Ministry of Culture.
- It is headquartered in New Delhi.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Show answer
Answer: C — Correct: All three — Right: the Akademi was set up in 1954, works under the Ministry of Culture and is headquartered in New Delhi. • Only one — Wrong: all three statements are accurate. • Only two — Wrong: no statement is false. • None — Wrong: all three statements are accurate.
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