The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 16, 2021 to amend the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

• The bill was introduced to provide a conducive environment for collaborative research and investments. It was also required to simplify the patent application process and widen the scope of access and benefit-sharing with local communities

Key Amendments Proposed: It provides exemption to registered AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) practitioners, and cultivated medicinal plants and their products from intimating the Biodiversity Boards for accessing biological resources.

• It provides for 11 additional members in the National Biodiversity Authority. ....