NBA issues SOP for States to notify threatened species under Section 38

The NBA SOP on threatened species: what happened?

When a species is close to extinction, the law lets the Government list it as threatened and then control its collection. Until now States did this in different ways. The SOP gives every State the same scientific steps.

• Step-by-step framework: scientific assessment, consultation, validation, notification, conservation planning, monitoring and review.
• Uses scientific evidence, field assessments and traditional knowledge.
• Involves local communities, Biodiversity Management Committees, BSI, ZSI and experts.
• After notification: species recovery and conservation action plans.

What does Section 38 allow?

• The Central Government, in consultation with the State, may notify a species on the verge of extinction as threatened.
• The notification regulates or prohibits its collection and provides for rehabilitation and conservation.
• The Centre may delegate these powers to State Governments.
• Benefit-sharing Regulations, 2025 give differential treatment for resources from notified threatened species.

Why does the NBA SOP on threatened species matter?

• Conservation: Uniform, science-based listing across States.
• Community: Local bodies and traditional knowledge in the process.

What can Prelims ask on the NBA SOP on threatened species?

• Section 38, Biological Diversity Act, 2002: notification of threatened species.
• Notified: 159 plant and 173 animal species; 17 States, 3 UTs.
• NBSAP 2024-2030 Target 4: halting human-induced extinction.