Biological Diversity Act, 2002
On UPSC.wiki
Current affairsBuellia maharajensis: New Lichen Species Discovered in Mathikettan Shola National Park, Kerala — Biodiversity Significance and UPSC AngleScientists from Maharaja's College (Ernakulam), KFRI, and CSIR-NBRI have discovered a new-to-science lichen species, Buellia maharajensis, from Mathikettan Shola National Park in Idukki district, Kerala. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Taiwania on September 8, 2026, this is the fourth new lichen species found in this single national park, underscoring the Western Ghats' extraordinary biodiversity value and the importance of protecting shola-grassland ecosystems. Current affairsBSI Discovers Osbeckia ulotricha in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve: New Plant Species from Western Ghats and India's Biodiversity SignificanceScientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered a new woolly-haired flowering plant species, Osbeckia ulotricha, in the shola grasslands of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats (Kerala–Tamil Nadu boundary). Published in the international botanical journal Lilloa, the discovery adds to India's documented flora — set against the backdrop of the Western Ghats as one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots. Current affairsIndia Hosts International Tiger Landscapes Workshop; IBCA Signs MoU with ADB for Nature-Positive Conservation FinancingThe International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) signed a landmark MoU with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the sidelines of the International Tiger Landscapes Workshop (September 2–3, 2026) in New Delhi — unlocking nature-positive blended finance for landscape-scale tiger conservation across six Asian tiger-range nations. Current affairsSupreme Court Rules No State Can Block Elephant Corridors: Nationwide Survey Ordered, Fireballs BannedIn a landmark August 2026 ruling, the Supreme Court of India held that no State or Union Territory can obstruct elephant corridors — even on grounds of harm to persons or property — and directed the Union Government to conduct a fresh nationwide survey of all elephant corridors. The Court also prohibited the use of fireballs and mashaals (lit torches) to drive away elephants. Current affairsIndia Launches First-Ever Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems at UNCCD COP17, UlaanbaatarIndia launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on August 17, 2026 — a landmark step recognising the ecological, carbon, and livelihood significance of India's long-neglected non-forest ecosystems. Current affairsState of India's Environment 2026 Report: Seven Planetary Boundaries Breached, Extreme Weather on 99% of India's DaysThe Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth released the State of India's Environment (SOE) 2026 report at the Anil Agarwal Dialogue on 25 February 2026, warning that seven of nine planetary boundaries have been breached and that India experienced extreme weather events on 99% of days in 2025 — with ocean acidification newly crossing its threshold for the first time. Current affairsNine Anchor Species Could Help India Meet Its 30×30 Biodiversity and Climate Targets, Says Study in Conservation LettersA new study in Conservation Letters (Lamba et al., 2026, DOI: 10.1111/con4.70059) identifies nine wildlife species — including the tiger, sambar deer, and dhole — whose habitat protection could simultaneously conserve over 700 vertebrates and 1.1 gigatonnes of above-ground carbon per species, offering India a species-centred pathway to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's 30×30 target while only 5% of Indian land is currently protected. Current affairsWorld Lion Day 2026: India's Asiatic Lion Population Rises to 891 — A Conservation Success StoryWorld Lion Day is observed on 10 August each year to raise awareness about lion conservation globally. On World Lion Day 2026, India highlighted the results of the 16th Asiatic Lion Census (May 2025): the population has risen to 891 from 674 in 2020 — a 32.2% increase in five years — all found exclusively in and around Gir in Gujarat.
In previous-year questions
- The Biological Diversity Act (BDA), 2002 governs access to India's biological resources including newly discovered species like Osbeckia ulotricha. Which body was established under BDA 2002 to implement access and benefit-sharing (ABS) provisions at the national level, and which international protocol supports this framework?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which body must grant approval before Indian biological resources (such as a newly discovered lichen species and its compounds) can be commercially accessed or exported?UPSC · Current Affairs