16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards held at Chandigarh
On 6 September 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority opened the two-day 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils at Chandigarh to strengthen biodiversity governance at State and local levels.
Summary
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) opened the 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) at Chandigarh on 6 September 2026; the meet ran on 6â7 September. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addressed the opening. Yadav asked States and UTs to align their rules and institutions with the amended national biodiversity governance framework. He said the NBA has shared over ₹200 crore of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) funds with farmers, local communities and Biodiversity Management Committees. The NBA, headquartered in Chennai, was set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which works through a three-tier system of the NBA, SBBs and local Biodiversity Management Committees.
Key facts
- Meet
- 16th National Meet of SBBs and UTBCs, 6â7 Sep 2026
- Venue
- Chandigarh
- Organiser
- National Biodiversity Authority
- ABS funds shared
- Over ₹200 crore
- Three tiers
- NBA (national), SBBs/UTBCs (State), BMCs (local)
- Static
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002; NBA HQ Chennai
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which body organised the 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils at Chandigarh in September 2026?
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Correct answer: C â National Biodiversity Authority
The meet was organised by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
Where is the headquarters of the National Biodiversity Authority, as provided under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?
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Correct answer: D â Chennai
The Act provides that the head office of the NBA shall be at Chennai.
Consider the following statements about the institutional structure under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: 1. Biodiversity Management Committees function at the local body level. 2. State Biodiversity Boards are set up by the Central Government. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
Only 1 is correct. BMCs work at the local level; SBBs are established by the respective State Governments under Section 22 of the Act.