Lok Sabha Passes Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill amid Protests

On 25th July, 2023, the Lok Sabha passed the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023 by a voice vote.

Key Points:

Key Amendments in the Bill: The Bill amends the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, focusing on decriminalizing biodiversity offenses and promoting ease of doing business.
Users need written approval from the National Biodiversity Authority for transferring any research results on biological resources or associated traditional knowledge.
Foreign companies align with the definition given in the Companies Act, 2013, for regulatory framework and patent acquisition.
New sections emphasize monitoring of biological resources obtained from foreign countries and enable state governments to develop conservation and sustainable use strategies.
Exemptions: The concept of "codified traditional knowledge" exempts users, including practitioners of Indian systems of medicine, from approvals and benefit sharing.
Domestic companies can use biodiversity without requiring permission from biodiversity boards, while foreign-controlled companies will need permission.
Punishment: Violations of the Act will be punishable only with penalties, removing imprisonment as a penalty option.
Critics' Concerns: Activists and legal experts express dissatisfaction, stating the amendments fail to address biodiversity conservation issues in India.
Concerns have been raised about decriminalizing offenses and imposing penalties instead of imprisonment.