Biodiversity Managment Committiees

In accordance to Section 41 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 it is mandatory that the local bodies constitute Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) within their area of jurisdiction for the purpose of promoting conservation and sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity including preservation of habitats. The main role of Biodiversity Management Committee is to:

1. Prepare maintain and validate people’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) in consultation with local people. The Register shall contain comprehensive information of local biological resources, traditional knowledge associated with them like medicinal use or any other use etc.
2. Maintain a register giving information about the details of the access to biological resources and traditional knowledge granted details of the collection, fee imposed and details of the benefits derived and the mode of their sharing.
3. Initiate proposals for declaring Biodiversity Heritage Sites in consultation with NGO active in the area and community institution.
4. Take initiatives to generate awareness regarding biological resources available in the locality, their ecological and economic importance and need to conserve them.
5. Determine and periodically update the status of all important species and the quantum available within its area by making inventory under the guidance of the State Biodiversity Board.
6. Advise on any matter referred to it by the State Biodiversity Board, National Biodiversity Authority for granting approval, maintain data about the local healing practitioners using the biological resources.