How does National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help in protecting the Indian agriculture? 1. NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources. 2. NBA directly monitors and supervises the scientific research on genetic modification of crop plants. 3. Application for Intellectual Property Rights related to genetic/biological resources cannot be made without the approval of NBA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, to implement the Act's objectives [3]. Statement 1 is correct as the NBA is mandated to check biopiracy and protect indigenous and traditional genetic resources by regulating access to biological resources and associated knowledge [1]. Statement 3 is also correct because Section 6 of the Act makes it mandatory to obtain prior approval from the NBA before applying for any Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) based on research or biological resources obtained from India [5]. Statement 2 is incorrect because the monitoring and supervision of scientific research on genetic modification of crop plants is the primary responsibility of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, not the NBA.

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > BIodIvErSIty act, 2002. > p. 16
2. [3] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.3, THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY AUTHORITY (NBA) - CHENNAI. > p. 382
3. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > z7d.r, Objectives of NBA > p. 383
4. [5] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2188814