National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has established a high-level expert committee to address the growing threat posed by invasive alien species in India. This move follows directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which raised concerns over the ecological and economic damage caused by such species.
The development stems from a suo motu case (O.A. No. 162/2023) initiated by the NGT, which highlighted the significant risks invasive alien species pose to:
The initiative also received backing from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), reinforcing the urgency of coordinated action.
The committee has been constituted under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, as amended in 2023.
The multi-disciplinary panel will provide strategic and scientific guidance to tackle invasive species across India.
The expert panel has been assigned several critical tasks, including:
The committee will also:
To ensure long-term solutions, the panel will:
These efforts aim to strengthen India’s policy framework and improve response mechanisms for managing invasive species.
The committee will be chaired by Dhananjai Mohan, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand.
A. Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, will serve as Co-Chair.
The panel includes experts and representatives from leading institutions such as:
Additionally, representatives from State Forest Departments and global organisations like International Union for Conservation of Nature are also part of the panel.
Invasive alien species are non-native organisms that disrupt local ecosystems. Their unchecked spread can:
Globally, invasive species are considered one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss, making timely intervention crucial.
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is India’s statutory "guardian" of its biological wealth. Established in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, it is an autonomous body headquartered in Chennai that functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
As of early 2026, the NBA has evolved from a purely regulatory body into a global leader in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), ensuring that when India’s nature is used for profit, the local communities who protected it get their fair share.
The NBA operates through a unique, decentralized structure that connects the Prime Minister's office to the smallest village councils.
| Level | Body | Primary Responsibility |
| National | NBA | Regulates access for foreign entities, handles IPR/Patents, and advises the Central Government. |
| State | State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) | Regulates commercial use by Indian entities and advises State Governments. |
| Local | Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) | Documents local resources (People’s Biodiversity Registers) and manages local conservation. |
The NBA’s role is essentially to prevent "biopiracy" while promoting sustainable development. Its core functions include:
Regulating Access: No foreign person or entity can access India's biological resources for research or commercial use without prior NBA approval.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Anyone applying for a patent based on Indian biological resources or traditional knowledge must obtain the NBA's "No Objection" certificate.
Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS): This is the NBA's "moral compass." It ensures that a percentage of the revenue generated from bio-resources is returned to the local communities (the "benefit claimers").
Opposing Foreign Patents: The NBA actively challenges patents granted in foreign countries that involve Indian biological resources or traditional knowledge obtained without consent.
India has recently solidified its position as a global biodiversity heavyweight through several key milestones:
On December 1, 2025, Virendra Tiwari (a 1990-batch IFS officer and former Director of the Wildlife Institute of India) assumed charge as the Chairperson of the NBA. His 3-year tenure is expected to focus on science-based policy and aligning India with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
India submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in late February 2026. Key highlights include:
On Track: India is officially "on track" to achieve all 23 of its National Biodiversity Targets by 2030.
Community Power: Over 2.76 lakh (276,000+) BMCs have been established nationwide.
Species Recovery: Noteworthy success in populations of tigers (3,682), Asiatic lions (891), and the first-ever national count of snow leopards (718).
In March 2026, India submitted its first report on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. India has issued over 60% of the world’s total Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs), making it the most compliant nation globally regarding fair resource sharing.
The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, which is now fully operational through the 2024 Rules and 2025 ABS Regulations, brought significant changes:
Decriminalization: Violations were changed from criminal offenses to civil penalties (monetary fines) to improve "Ease of Doing Business."
AYUSH Exemption: Practitioners of Indian systems of medicine (Vaids, Hakims) are now exempt from intimation/ABS for "sustenance" use.
Digital Single Window: The PARIVESH 2.0 portal and the ABS e-filing system have streamlined approvals, moving the process from months of paperwork to a transparent digital workflow.
Digital Sequence Information (DSI): For the first time, the 2025 regulations explicitly include DSI (genetic data) under the ambit of ABS obligations.
The formation of this expert committee marks a significant step in India’s efforts to address the rising threat of invasive alien species. By bringing together experts from diverse scientific and policy backgrounds, the initiative aims to create a comprehensive and coordinated response to a complex environmental challenge. With a focus on research, data-driven strategies, and national-level guidelines, the panel is expected to strengthen India’s ability to prevent and manage invasive species effectively. As environmental risks continue to grow, such proactive measures will be essential in protecting biodiversity, ensuring ecological balance, and safeguarding the country’s long-term environmental and economic interests.