The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 – which Parliament passed on February 5, 2003 – provides for the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, the fair and equitable distribution of benefits arising from the usage of biological resources, and related matters. The Act refers to the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted by the United Nations in 1992, which India is a signatory to.The 20-page Act has 12 chapters: Preliminary (Chapter I); Regulation of Access to Biological Diversity (Chapter II); National Biodiversity Authority (Chapter III); Functions and Powers of the National Biodiversity Authority (Chapter IV); Approval by the National Biodiversity Authority (Chapter V); State Biodiversity Board (Chapter VI); Finance, Accounts and Audit of National Biodiversity Authority (Chapter VII); Finance, Accounts and Audit of State Biodiversity Board (Chapter VIII); Duties of the Central and the State Governments (Chapter IX); Biodiversity Management Committees (Chapter X); Local Biodiversity Fund (Chapter XI) and Miscellaneous (Chapter XII).