Environment & Ecology·Environmental Laws
Impact on Biodiversity — Environmental Laws
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Version 1Updated 9 Mar 2026
| Entry | Year | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 | 2022 | This amendment aimed to increase the number of species protected under the Act, regulate the trade in live elephants, and implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It also rationalized the schedules for protected species. | The amendment strengthens India's commitment to CITES, which helps regulate international trade that can exacerbate pressure on endangered species already stressed by climate change. By updating species lists and tightening regulations, it provides enhanced legal protection for wildlife, which is crucial as climate change pushes more species towards vulnerability and potential illegal trade due to habitat loss or range shifts. It also streamlines the management of protected areas, which are vital for climate refugia. |
| Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023 | 2023 | This bill seeks to decriminalize certain offenses under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and encourage the use of traditional knowledge and local communities in biodiversity conservation. It also aims to facilitate research and patenting of biological resources. | While aiming to ease compliance for traditional medicine practitioners and researchers, critics argue it might dilute the 'Access and Benefit Sharing' (ABS) mechanism, potentially impacting local communities' rights over biological resources. From a climate perspective, robust ABS is vital as traditional knowledge often holds keys to climate-resilient practices and species. Any weakening could hinder community-led adaptation efforts and the sustainable use of biodiversity, which is essential for building ecosystem resilience against climate change. Its impact on conservation will depend on the final rules and implementation. |