The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 was enacted to regulate access to biological resources and associated knowledge for their conservation and sustainable use. The Act provides for the establishment of the National Biodiversity Authority and State Biodiversity Boards to regulate access to biological resources and associated knowledge, and to ensure their conservation and sustainable use. The Act also provides for the protection of the rights of local communities and indigenous people over their traditional knowledge related to biological resources. The Act has provisions for the conservation of biological diversity, access to biological resources, sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources, and research and development related to biological diversity.