National Biodiversity Authority Reconstitutes Agrobiodiversity Expert Committee

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has officially reconstituted the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity, exercising its powers under Section 13(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. This committee, which will serve a one-year term, is chaired by the eminent agricultural scientist and Padma Shri awardee, Dr. P. L. Gautam. The reconstitution underscores the government's commitment to managing India's vast agricultural heritage in an era of climate change and food security challenges. The primary mandate of this expert body is to provide technical guidance on the conservation, sustainable utilization, and the complex framework of Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS). As India continues to integrate its agricultural sector into global markets, the committee plays a critical role in advising the NBA on the regulation of genetic resources, the export of seeds, and the approval of collaborative research projects involving foreign entities. By ensuring that the benefits derived from the use of biological resources are shared equitably with local communities—the traditional custodians of these varieties—the committee acts as a vital bridge between scientific advancement and social justice.