India 2018

Environment 197
International Network of Bamboo and Rattan
The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) is an
intergovernmental organization established in 1997. INBAR is dedicated to
improving the social, economic, and environmental benefits of bamboo and
rattan. INBAR plays a unique role in finding and demonstrating innovative
ways of using bamboo and rattan to protect the environment and biodiversity,
alleviate poverty, and facilitates fairer pro-poor trade. INBAR connects a global
network of partners from the government, private, and non-for-profit sectors
in over 50 countries to define and implement a global agenda for sustainable
development through bamboo and rattan. As a member of INBAR, India has to
pay annual contribution to INBAR which is made every year.
Biodiversity Conservation
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is one of the key agreements
adopted during the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The objective
of CBD are: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its
components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of
genetic resources. Pursuant to the ratification of the CBD by India in 1994, several
steps were initiated to meet the commitments under the Convention, and to
realize the opportunities offered by the Convention. These efforts were aimed
at bringing the legislative, administrative and policy regimes in tune with the
three-fold objectives of the CBD. India enacted the Biological Diversity (BD)
Act in 2002 to give effect to the provision of this Convention. India also prepared
a National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) in 2008, and an Addendum to NBAP
in 2014 with 20 national targets on biodiversity.
The Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing (ABS) adopted under
the aegis of CBD in 2010, is aimed at fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising
from the utilization of genetic resources.
Biodiversity Policy and Law
The Government of India in collaboration with the Norwegian Government
has established a "Centre for Biodiverstiy Policy and Law (CEBPOL)" in the
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Chennai, to develop professional
expertise in biodiversity policies and laws and develop capacity building. The
Centre aims at contributing to strengthening the implementation of India's
Biological Diversity Act. During the year, several activities were taken up under
CEBPOL.
Centre for Regulatory Acts/ Rules of the Programme
Biological Diverstiy Act, 2002 and Biological Diversity Rules, 2004. The Biological
Diversity Act, 2002 came into force in 2003. The Act extents to the whole of
India. The objectives of the Act are conservation, sustainable utilization and
fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources
and associated knowledge. The Act is being implemented through three-tiered