India’s biodiversity legislation was enacted in 2002 as the Biological Diversity Act. This law aims at governing the conservation, sustainable use of and access to biological resources. Towards this end, the act enables the setting up of new institutions and puts into force rules and agreements. The Act is significant to various groups, including communities, people’s groups, scientists and various national and international interests that aim to utilize India’s vast biodiversity. From the very drafting stage, the legislation has been subject to criticism and a range of suggestions. The viewpoints have ranged from complete rejection of the Biodiversity Bill (and now the Act), to acceptance only with some significant changes. The latter viewpoint accepts and appreciates the spirit behind the legislation.

This dossier aims to put together scattered information available on the Act, related rules and agreements, so that the information is easily accessible. This is critical, not just to understand the text of the legislation but also the perspectives that go with it.

This compilation includes a background to the passage of the legislation and a brief introduction to its key components, along with the rules and agreements. It attempts to bring together the range of perspectives on the legislation and includes well-researched critiques as well as voices from the communities. The Dossier includes sections on the chronology of events that led to the notification of the legislation and its present implementation. It also presents a description of the institutional structure that has been prescribed by the legislation for its implementation.

This publication is part of the Biodiversity Information Pack, produced by Kalpavriksh, Grain and IIED.

Contributory amount Rs.150/-, USD15