The Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Policy demand

This bill was created due to both the internal demand of India and of an external demand. India is a party to the convention on Biological Diversity (1992), whose main objectives are:

a) Conservation of biological diversity

b) Sustainable use of its components

c) Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of utilization of genetic resources.

Now, for the fulfillment of the objectives of convention on Biological Diversity (1992), India decided to set up its national level act for protection of biodiversity of India as The United Nations Conventions of Biological Diversity, 1992 reaffirmed the sovereign rights of the States over their biological resources.

Internally, such bill was demanded by two NGOs -- Forum for Biotechnology & Food Security, and Gene Campaign.