- Why in news
- On 2 July 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture said the Borjuli site in Sonitpur, Assam, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority. The site was identified under an NRAA-funded wild rice conservation project.
- What it is
- Borjuli is a site in Sonitpur district, Assam, where wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) grows. It was picked for in-situ conservation of wild rice genetic resources. Wild rice is a crop wild relative, a source of genes for traits like climate resilience and nutrition in cultivated rice.
- Site and status
- Borjuli in Sonitpur district, Assam, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority.
- Species conserved
- The project conserves wild rice, Oryza rufipogon, in its natural habitat (in-situ) in Sonitpur.
- Who runs and funds it
- NRAA funds the project. ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, implements it with the Assam State Biodiversity Board, and has done so since 2022.
- Legal basis of BHS
- Biodiversity Heritage Sites are notified by the State Government, in consultation with local bodies, under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Nodal body
- The National Biodiversity Authority, headquartered in Chennai, is the statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Don’t confuse with Biodiversity Heritage Site vs protected area: A BHS under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is a well-defined area rich in biodiversity, with community-linked management. National parks and sanctuaries are protected areas under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Don’t confuse with In-situ vs ex-situ conservation: In-situ conserves species in their natural habitat, as at Borjuli. Ex-situ keeps them outside, for example in gene banks.
Species and protected areas: 12 Prelims questions since 2013; they test legal status, location and the year of designation.
Why it matters
- Wild rice is a gene source for climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutritious rice varieties.
- Conserving crop wild relatives supports long-term food security.
Problems
- Habitat loss and land-use change can threaten wild populations.
- Local communities must be involved for protection to last.
Way forward
- Replicate similar conservation efforts for other crop wild relatives, as the NRAA chief urged.
- Link in-situ sites with gene bank collections and local biodiversity management committees.
Put in your answer
Replicating the model: NRAA's CEO stressed replicating such conservation for other crop wild relatives to build resilience and food security.
- 2018Mains GS3 · Q17Biodiversity variation in India and Biological Diversity Act's role in conservation
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q8Kunming-Montreal framework's aims and India's commitments and initiatives
- 2012Prelims Q3How National Biodiversity Authority protects Indian agriculture and genetic resources
- 2016Prelims Q27Overall goal of FAO's Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System initiative
- 2023Prelims Q79Functions of Biodiversity Management Committees under Nagoya Protocol access and benefit sharing
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: Biodiversity Heritage Sites and in-situ conservation are on the syllabus. Species and places reach Prelims rarely (12 and 26 of 327) and almost never Mains, so no question.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.