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When did the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 come into force ?
1 February, 2024
1 January, 2024
1 April, 2024
5 June, 2024
None of the above
1 April, 2024
The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, is a significant legal reform aimed at amending the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. It officially came into force on 1 April, 2024, to streamline biodiversity compliance and facilitate research while maintaining conservation goals.
The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, is a significant legal reform aimed at amending the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. It officially came into force on 1 April, 2024, to streamline biodiversity compliance and facilitate research while maintaining conservation goals.
Think of it as upgrading a bureaucratic 'gatekeeping' system to a 'fast-track' lane, where genuine researchers and traditional medicine providers can access resources without unnecessary legal bottlenecks, provided they follow conservation guidelines.
B-D-A-A: Biodiversity (B), Diversity (D), Amendment (A), April (A) тАФ 'B'iotech 'A'pril 'A'mendment.
The Act functions on the principle of simplifying the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms. It promotes the sustainable use of biological resources by incentivizing the cultivation of medicinal plants and reducing the burden of compliance for domestic practitioners and Ayush traditional medicine manufacturers.
Aims to encourage the cultivation of medicinal plants.
Decriminalizes certain minor offences under the 2002 Act, replacing them with monetary penalties.
Streamlines the process for patent applications by requiring approval from the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) only at the time of granting the patent.
Promotes the ease of doing business in the biotechnology and traditional medicine sectors.
Increased support for the AYUSH industry.
Reduced regulatory burden on traditional knowledge holders.
Balanced approach between biodiversity conservation and commercial utilization.
Critics argue it may dilute the 'benefit sharing' principle meant for local communities.
Concerns regarding the exclusion of foreign entities from some benefits.
Regulation of botanical resources in pharmaceutical research.
Monitoring the trade of medicinal plant derivatives.
Legal framework for the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs).
The 2023 Act is a major overhaul of the 2002 Act, which was based on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Option A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the official notification from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
C is correct тАФ The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, was brought into effect by the Government of India on 1 April, 2024.
In competitive exams, always differentiate between the date an Act is 'passed' in Parliament and the date it 'comes into force' (notified), as examiners frequently test the latter.