National Biodiversity Authority Releases SOP for Scientific Identification and Notification of Threatened Species by States and UTs

📌 Summary:

• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for notification of threatened species under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• SOP provides a uniform, transparent, scientifically robust process for States/UTs to identify, assess and notify threatened species
• Section 38 empowers the Central Government, in consultation with States, to notify species on the verge of extinction; collection can be regulated/prohibited and rehabilitation measures provided; powers may be delegated to States
• So far 159 plant species and 173 animal species have been notified as threatened across 17 States and 3 UTs
• SOP mandates scientific assessment, stakeholder consultation, validation, notification, conservation planning, monitoring and periodic review; uses best scientific evidence, field assessments and traditional knowledge, involving State Biodiversity Boards, BSI, ZSI and Biodiversity Management Committees
• Significance linked to the 2025 Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations (differential benefit-sharing for notified species), National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2030 (Target 4), and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Environment & Biodiversity — species conservation, statutory framework under the Biological Diversity Act, federal cooperation, and alignment with global biodiversity targets

📝 Prelims Facts:

• NBA operates under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; HQ at Chennai
• Section 38 deals with notification of threatened species
• 159 plant + 173 animal species notified as threatened (17 States, 3 UTs)
• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 4 — halting human-induced species extinction
• BSI = Botanical Survey of India; ZSI = Zoological Survey of India

🔑 Key Term: Threatened Species (Section 38, BD Act 2002) — a species on the verge of, or likely to become, extinct; its collection can be regulated/prohibited and conservation/rehabilitation measures mandated.