IASPage

Biodiversity: Conservation & Statutory Frameworks ​

UPSC Mains PYQs
  • Biodiversity Conservation Act (2023): "The Biological Diversity Act, 2002, was enacted to meet the obligations of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)." Discuss the three-tier institutional structure established under the Act. Critically evaluate the provisions of the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, regarding local community rights and domestic AYUSH industry exemptions. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
  • Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) (2014): Explain the purpose of declaring Eco-Sensitive Zones around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Discuss the friction between environmental conservation and local developmental aspirations in these zones. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
📊 High-Yield Data & Statistical Fact Sheet
  • National Biodiversity Metrics:
    • Species Footprint: India hosts 7-8% of global species within 2.4% of the world's land area across 10 biogeographic zones.
    • Protected Area (PA) Coverage: Covers 5.27% of geographic area (comprising 106 National Parks and 567 Wildlife Sanctuaries).
    • Forest Target Gap: ISFR 2021 records forest and tree cover at 24.62%, below the National Forest Policy target of 33%.
    • Wetland Network: 99 Ramsar sites covering over 1.3 Million Hectares of critical wetland basins.
    • Big Cats & Giants: Wild tigers: 3,682 (75% of global population); Wild elephants: 22,446; Asiatic Lions: 891.

Total Forest & Tree Cover (% of Geo Area)

Loading chart...

Number of Ramsar Sites (Wetland Diplomacy)

Loading chart...

1. LEGAL STATUTORY ARCHITECTURE ​

  • Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (3-Tier Framework):
    • NBA (National Level): Chennai-based statutory body approving intellectual property rights (IPR) and access to genetic resources.
    • SBBs (State Level): Regulates commercial utilization of bio-resources by Indian entities.
    • BMCs (Local Level): Document traditional knowledge and local resources in People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs).
  • Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023:
    • AYUSH Exemptions: Exempts domestic AYUSH practitioners and growers of medicinal plants from paying Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) royalties.
    • Decriminalization: Replaced prison sentences for illegal utilization of bio-resources with administrative civil penalties.
    • Critique: Dilutes local community control over traditional knowledge, risking bio-piracy.
  • Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2022: Consolidated schedules from 6 down to 4 schedules (Schedule I: Highest Protection; Schedule II: Lesser Protection; Schedule III: Protected Plants; Schedule IV: CITES specimens).

2. CONSERVATION SCHEMES: IN-SITU VS. EX-SITU ​

  • In-Situ (On-Site Preservation):
    • National Parks: Strict protection; no human settlement, grazing, or forest product extraction allowed.
    • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Limited rights (e.g., livestock grazing and timber collection) permitted under surveillance.
    • Biosphere Reserves (UNESCO MAB): Core zone (protected), Buffer zone (limited research/tourism), and Transition zone (human settlement/agriculture).
    • Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Buffer areas extending up to 10 km around National Parks/Sanctuaries declared under EPA, 1986. Regulates commercial mining, polluting industries, and large tourism projects.
    • OECMs: "Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures" (e.g., Aravalli Biodiversity Park) to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's 30x30 targets (protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030).
  • Ex-Situ (Off-Site Preservation): Seed banks, botanical gardens, cryopreservation of coral larvae/gametes, and zoological parks supervised by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

3. PRIORITY HABITAT & SPECIES PROJECTS ​

  • Project Tiger (1973): Led by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Uses M-STrIPES (GPS-based patrol app) for tracking and habitat auditing.
  • Project Elephant (1992): Focuses on mitigating human-elephant conflict and securing wildlife migration corridors threatened by linear infrastructure (roads, rail lines). Enforces structural solutions like green overpasses and underpasses (e.g., NH-44 through Pench).
  • Cheetah Translocation Project: Restoring grassland ecosystems by translocating 20 African Cheetahs to Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.

India's Tiger Population (NTCA Census)

Loading chart...

Protected Area Network ('000 sq km)

Loading chart...

Keystone Species Census

Loading chart...

Ramsar Sites: Count vs Area (sq km)

Loading chart...

QUICK REVISION BOX ​

  • Biological Diversity Nodal Body: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
  • Local Bio-Resource Register: People's Biodiversity Register (PBR).
  • Wildlife Protection Schedules: Consolidated into 4 Schedules (WPA 2022).
  • 30x30 Target Goal Year: 2030 (Kunming-Montreal Global Framework).
  • Tiger Digital Patrol Tracker: M-STrIPES (NTCA run).
  • Eco-Sensitive Buffer Distance: Up to 10 km under EPA 1986.
  • Outside Protected Area Tag: OECMs (Targeting 30% spatial coverage).

Notes updated up to March 2026. Sources: MoEFCC Annual Reports, NBA Guidelines.

Copyright © 2021-PRESENT ias.schule