Bihar State Biodiversity Board has been constituted by the State Government as per the provisions of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 notified by the Government of India. Bihar Biological Diversity Rules, 2004 were notified by the State Government on 17.12.2004 under the provision of Section 63 (1) of Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The notification regarding the constitution of the Board was issued on 11th April. 2005.
The term Biological diversity or Biodiversity refers to the entire variety and variability of life forms in existence on earth. It encompasses the entire range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects and other invertebrates including plants, fungi and other microorganisms like Protists, bacteria and viruses. Biodiversity on earth is expressed at three levels, genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Its direct and indirect services are crucial for the sustenance of life on this planet.
Biodiversity ensures food, fuel, shelter, medicines and other resources which are vital for our survival. Most of the crops’ pests are controlled by a variety of other organisms, including insects, birds and fungi, which are certainly superior natural pesticides than their chemical equivalents which are extensively used and are really harmful to human beings and the environment. Many flowering plants rely on animal species such as insects, bats and birds for pollination and seed dispersal. Biodiversity, more importantly, offers a wide range of resources and services for mankind. Diverse species enables diversification of livelihood and enables food production throughout the year
The objectives of the Board are:
- Conservation of biodiversity,
- Sustainable use of its components and
- Equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
The activities of the Bihar State Biodiversity Board are categorised into the following thematic areas:
- Research and Documentation
- Education, Awareness and Training
- In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation
- Sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits Governance
- Policy and Law
- To perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act or as may be prescribed by the State Government.
- To regulate by granting of approvals or otherwise, requests for commercial utilisation or bio-survey and bio-utilisation of any biological resource by Indians;
- To advise the State Government, subject to any guidelines issued by the Central Government, on matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of biological resources.