National Biodiversity Authority Issues SOP for Threatened Species

A new procedure standardises how India identifies and notifies its threatened plant and animal species.

On 26 June 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) of India released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the notification of threatened species. The SOP works under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and applies to all States and Union Territories.

Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 provides for notifying threatened species. The Act was enacted to conserve biological diversity, ensure sustainable use of its components, and enable fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from biological resources.

Identification & Notification Process

The SOP lays out a step-by-step process covering scientific assessment, stakeholder consultations, validation, notification, conservation planning, monitoring, and periodic review. States must rely on scientific evidence, field-based assessments, and traditional knowledge, involving local communities, Biodiversity Management Committees, the Botanical Survey of India, the Zoological Survey of India, and subject experts.

Threatened Species Status

As of 26 June 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had notified 159 plant species and 173 animal species as threatened across 17 States and 3 Union Territories. The SOP also provides for species recovery plans, conservation action plans, and regular monitoring.

Important Facts for Exams

  • The NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
  • Section 38 deals with notification of threatened species.
  • BSI studies plant diversity; ZSI studies animal diversity in India.
  • India's NBSAP 2024-2030 includes Target 4 on preventing human-induced species extinctions.

📝 Practice MCQs

1. The SOP for notification of threatened species was released by which authority?

[A] National Biodiversity Authority

[B] Central Pollution Control Board

[C] Wildlife Institute of India

[D] National Green Tribunal

Answer: [A] National Biodiversity Authority

2. Under which Act and Section does the SOP for threatened species operate?

[A] Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 - Section 9

[B] Biological Diversity Act, 2002 - Section 38

[C] Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 - Section 3

[D] Forest Conservation Act, 1980 - Section 2

Answer: [B] Biological Diversity Act, 2002 - Section 38

3. Which body functions at the local level under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?

[A] State Biodiversity Board

[B] Biodiversity Management Committee

[C] National Biodiversity Authority

[D] Zoological Survey of India

Answer: [B] Biodiversity Management Committee

4. The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is primarily concerned with the study of:

[A] Animal diversity

[B] Plant diversity

[C] Soil composition

[D] Marine fisheries

Answer: [B] Plant diversity

5. As of 26 June 2026, how many animal species had been notified as threatened in India?

[A] 159

[B] 173

[C] 200

[D] 332

Answer: [B] 173