Why in News
🗞️ Why in News On June 26, 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, giving States and Union Territories a uniform, scientific process to identify, assess and notify threatened species.
Understanding Section 38
Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, empowers the Central Government, in consultation with the concerned State Government, to notify any species that is on the verge of extinction or is likely to become extinct as a Threatened Species. The notification allows the government to regulate or prohibit the collection of such species and to provide measures for their rehabilitation and conservation.
Until now, States lacked a uniform, transparent method to recommend species for notification. The new SOP fills this gap.
What the SOP Provides
The SOP creates a standard, transparent and science-based pathway for proposing and notifying threatened species. It draws on the best available scientific evidence, field-based assessments and traditional knowledge, while ensuring the participation of local communities.
| Body | Role in the Process |
|---|---|
| Botanical Survey of India (BSI) | Scientific assessment of plant species |
| Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) | Scientific assessment of animal species |
| Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) | Local-level documentation, People’s Biodiversity Registers, community input |
| State Biodiversity Boards | State-level coordination and recommendation |
| NBA | National-level vetting and recommendation to the Centre |
| Academic institutions and subject experts | Specialised technical review |
Current Status
So far, about 159 plant species and 173 animal species have been notified as threatened across 17 States and 3 Union Territories.
The NBA and the Three-Tier Structure
The NBA is a statutory and autonomous body established in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The Act provides for a three-tier institutional structure:
| Tier | Body | Level |
|---|---|---|
| National | National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) | Centre |
| State | State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) | States and UTs |
| Local | Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) | Local bodies |
These institutions also handle access and benefit-sharing (ABS) for biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
Analysis and Way Forward
A uniform SOP brings consistency, scientific rigour and transparency to a previously ad hoc process, and it strengthens cooperative federalism by clearly mapping the roles of the Centre, States and local committees. By weaving in traditional knowledge and BMCs, it aligns conservation with the participation of local communities, who are often the primary custodians of biodiversity.
The way forward involves capacity-building for BMCs and State Biodiversity Boards, regular updation of species assessments using BSI and ZSI data, integration with the IUCN Red List criteria, and adequate funding so that notification is followed by genuine on-ground recovery plans rather than remaining a paper exercise.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 3 (Environment and Ecology): Conservation, biodiversity governance, statutory bodies, Biological Diversity Act framework.
Prelims pointers:
- NBA: statutory, autonomous body; established 2003; headquartered in Chennai; under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Section 38: empowers the Centre, with the State, to notify threatened species and regulate their collection.
- Three-tier structure: NBA (national), State Biodiversity Boards (state), BMCs (local).
- BSI and ZSI provide scientific assessment of plants and animals respectively.
Mains question: “A uniform process for notifying threatened species can strengthen India’s biodiversity governance only if it empowers local institutions.” Critically examine. (15 marks, 250 words)
Facts Corner
📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia
- NBA: National Biodiversity Authority, a statutory autonomous body set up in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; headquartered in Chennai.
- Section 38: Lets the Central Government, with the State, notify species on the verge of extinction and regulate or prohibit their collection.
- SOP (June 2026): A uniform, science-based procedure for States and UTs to identify, assess and notify threatened species.
- Data: About 159 plant and 173 animal species notified across 17 States and 3 UTs.
- Three-tier structure: NBA (national), State Biodiversity Boards (state), Biodiversity Management Committees (local).
- Scientific backbone: Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
Sources: National Biodiversity Authority, PIB, Prokerala
Source: NBA Issues Standard Procedure for Notifying Threatened Species — Ujiyari.com | Free UPSC & State PCS Current Affairs
