- Why in news
- On 21 March 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) said it has set up an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species, following directions of the National Green Tribunal.
- What it is
- The National Biodiversity Authority is a statutory body set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to regulate access to biological resources and ensure fair benefit sharing. Invasive alien species are non-native species that spread and harm native biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture and health. India has had no consolidated national list of such species.
- Legal power used
- The NBA formed the committee using its powers under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, as amended in 2023.
- Trigger
- The NGT took up the matter on its own (suo motu, O.A. No. 162/2023) and directed the NBA to carry out a comprehensive study.
- Mandate
- It must prepare a consolidated national list from State-wise inputs, prioritise high-risk species, and recommend management strategies and national guidelines.
- Tenure
- The committee will function for two years.
- Leadership
- Chair is Dhananjai Mohan, retired IFS officer; Co-Chair is Prof. A. Biju Kumar of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies.
- NBA basis
- The NBA is a statutory body created under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, headquartered in Chennai.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs State Biodiversity Boards: The NBA is the national statutory body; State Biodiversity Boards work at State level and Biodiversity Management Committees at local body level.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs NGT: The NGT is a judicial body that gave directions; the NBA is a regulatory body that acts on them.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- A national list gives a common base for policy on species that harm native biodiversity, farming and fisheries.
- It supports India's commitments under global biodiversity targets.
Problems
- No consolidated national data exists, so State-wise inputs may be uneven and incomplete.
- Once established, invasive species are costly and hard to eradicate, and the committee is only advisory.
Way forward
- Build early detection, border and quarantine checks and a shared database across States and agencies.
- Convert the committee's guidelines into enforceable rules with funding and community participation.
Put in your answer
NGT suo motu case: NGT O.A. No. 162/2023 shows the Tribunal pushing regulators to act on invasive species.
Whole-of-government approach: The committee mixes ecology, forestry, agriculture, fisheries and marine science expertise.
- 2018Mains GS3 · Q17How biodiversity varies in India and the Biological Diversity Act's role in conservation.
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q8Kunming-Montreal framework's aims, and India's commitments and initiatives to achieve them.
- 2012Prelims Q3How does the National Biodiversity Authority help protect Indian agriculture and genetic resources?
- 2012Prelims Q96Which factors can threaten biodiversity of a geographical area, including alien species invasion?
- 2023Prelims Q13Which organization develops the Global Invasive Species Database through its Specialist Group?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting environment topic under the Biological Diversity Act; invasive species have appeared in Prelims, but this committee has few testable facts, so no question.
Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 21 Mar, 09:05 IST · Release 286500
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.