The State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) are established by the state governments in accordance with Section 22 of the Biodiversity Act 2002 and deal with all issues concerning Indian commercial access. The SBBs established under the Biodiversity Act 2002 have the function of advising the State Government on matters of biodiversity and its equitable distribution and utilisation in tandem with the Central Government's guidelines, but more importantly, to regulate the granting of approvals or requests for commercial utilisation of biological resources as provided for in Section 23. In this article, we will discuss The State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Biological Diversity Act of 2002

• Enacted to promote the conservation of biological diversity and the equitable distribution of monetary benefits from the commercial use of biological resources and traditional knowledge.
• The main goal of this legislation is to protect India's rich biodiversity and associated knowledge from being used by foreign individuals.
• It employs a three-tier structure of central and state boards, as well as local committees, to combat biopiracy and protect biological diversity and local growers.
• The Act calls for the establishment of a National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in local governments.
• The NBA will have the power of a civil court.

What is State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs)?

• State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) advise state governments on biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of its components, and equitable sharing of benefits resulting from the use of biological resources.
• The SSBs also regulate commercial utilisation or bio-survey and bio-utilization of any biological resource by Indians through the granting of approvals or other requests.
• Local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).
  • Local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are in charge of promoting biological diversity conservation, sustainable use, and documentation, as well as documenting biological diversity knowledge.

Structure of State Biodiversity Boards

• A Chairman
• Five ex officio members maximum to represent the pertinent State Government Departments
• No more than five specialists in the preservation of biological variety, sustainable use of biological resources, and fair distribution of benefits resulting from the use of biological resources may make up the committee.
• The different State Governments appoint each member of the SBB.

Functions of State Biodiversity Boards

• SBBs perform functions required to carry out the provisions of Biological Diversity Act 2002 or as prescribed by the State Governments.
• The State Boards require prior notification for obtaining biological resources from Indian citizens or corporate associations or organisations registered in India.
• This power of the State Biodiversity Boards, which is only applicable to Indian citizens or organisations, can be easily exploited by vested interests of commercial behemoths with significant overseas shareholders.

Constitution of the State Biodiversity Fund

• A fund to be known as the State Biodiversity Fund shall be established and credited to:
  • Any grants or loans made by the National Biodiversity Authority.
  • All funds received by the State Biodiversity Board from other sources as determined by the State Government.

Conclusion

With State Biodiversity Boards taking a more proactive stance in relation to the provisions of the Act and their own powers and functions, various judicial proceedings have been initiated across the country, indicating coordinated Central-State actions to manage and conserve the country's biodiversity, which is in a pitiful state.

FAQs

Question: What are State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs)?

Question: What are the primary functions of the SBBs?

Question: How do SBBs differ from the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)?

Question: What role do SBBs play in biodiversity conservation?

Question: What is a People's Biodiversity Register (PBR)?

MCQs

1. State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) were established under which Act?

A) The Forest Conservation Act, 1980

B) The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

C) The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

D) The Environment Protection Act, 1986

2. The primary role of SBBs is to:

A) Enforce international trade regulations

B) Promote biodiversity conservation and regulate the use of biological resources at the state level

C) Oversee monetary policies

D) Monitor urban development projects

3. The People's Biodiversity Register (PBR) is:

A) A document recording only endangered species

B) An international agreement on climate change

C) A register documenting biological resources and traditional knowledge of local communities

D) A list of government-owned lands

4. Which of the following statements about SBBs is true?

A) They operate at the central level only

B) They are not involved in conservation activities

C) They advise state governments on biodiversity conservation and benefit-sharing mechanisms

D) They regulate only mining activities

5. The difference between SBBs and the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is that:

A) SBBs handle international biodiversity issues

B) NBA functions at the state level only

C) SBBs work at the state level while NBA operates at the national level

D) Both SBBs and NBA focus solely on economic growth

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Explain the role and functions of the State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) in promoting biodiversity conservation.

Answer: State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) are statutory bodies established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, to promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits at the state level. Their primary functions include advising state governments on biodiversity conservation measures, regulating the commercial use of biological resources, and maintaining People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs). SBBs play a vital role in fostering community participation in conservation, documenting traditional knowledge, and ensuring benefit-sharing mechanisms that support local communities' conservation efforts. Through awareness campaigns, regulatory measures, and coordination with other biodiversity stakeholders, SBBs help protect and sustainably manage the region’s biological resources.

Q2: Discuss the significance of People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) maintained by the SBBs.

Answer: People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) are essential for documenting the biological resources and traditional knowledge of local communities. Maintained by State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), PBRs serve as a repository of region-specific biodiversity data, including information on flora, fauna, and traditional practices. They promote community participation in biodiversity conservation, ensuring that local knowledge is preserved and utilized sustainably. PBRs play a critical role in preventing biopiracy, supporting benefit-sharing mechanisms, and guiding conservation strategies. By empowering communities and creating awareness, PBRs contribute to preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.

Q3: Analyze the challenges faced by State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) in implementing biodiversity conservation measures.

Answer: State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) face various challenges in implementing biodiversity conservation measures. These include limited financial and human resources, lack of awareness and capacity at the local level, and difficulty in coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies and local communities. The documentation and protection of traditional knowledge require significant effort, and issues such as biopiracy pose a threat to indigenous practices. Additionally, balancing development needs with conservation goals can be challenging. To overcome these challenges, SBBs need enhanced funding, capacity-building initiatives, robust legal frameworks, and stronger community engagement to ensure effective biodiversity management and conservation.

Previous Year Questions on  State Biodiversity Boards

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the effectiveness of State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) in conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of biological resources.

Answer: State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) have been instrumental in conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of biological resources at the state level. They work closely with local communities to document biodiversity through People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and ensure equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. SBBs advise state governments on biodiversity-related policies and regulate the use of biological resources to prevent overexploitation. Despite their efforts, challenges such as limited resources, inadequate enforcement of regulations, and coordination issues persist. To enhance their effectiveness, SBBs require greater financial support, stronger legal backing, and collaborative approaches involving all stakeholders in biodiversity conservation.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the role of State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) in regulating access and benefit-sharing of biological resources.

Answer: State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) play a crucial role in regulating access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of biological resources as mandated by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. SBBs ensure that the benefits derived from the use of biological resources are equitably shared with the local communities that have conserved and maintained these resources. They regulate the commercial utilization of biological resources, prevent biopiracy, and promote fair and transparent benefit-sharing agreements. By facilitating ABS, SBBs help protect the rights of indigenous communities, encourage sustainable use of biodiversity, and support conservation efforts through revenue-sharing and community involvement.