About NBC

Bhutan became a party to and ratified the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1995 by the 73rd session of the National Assembly, recognizing the importance of biodiversity to humankind and its own goal of environmentally sustainable development and committed leadership in environmental conservation. The CBD is one of the most comprehensive international agreements, signed by 193 countries committed to the conservation and sustainable utilization of biological resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from access to biological resources. Bhutan also signed the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing in 2011 to enable meaningful ABS collaborations that will benefit the country and the people at large through regulated access to biological resources in the country. The National Biodiversity Centre was designated as the National Focal Point for Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization at the 44th Commission meeting of the National Environment Commission.


Biological resources effectively conserved, sustainable used and benefits equitably shared for enhancement of livelihood, food security and environmental well-being of the country.

Effective conservation, sustainable utilization and equitable sharing of benefits arising from access and use of biological resources.

To become a premier institute on biodiversity in the country resulting in the effective management of biodiversity and maximizing the benefits from it as well as contributing to international efforts toward conserving biodiversity.

News and Events

Private Sector Consu …

Private Sector Consu …

The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) conducted a Private Sector Consultation Workshop on 5th March 2024 at Hotel Legphel, Phuentsholing, as part of the ongoing revision of Bhutan’s Fifth National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP). The workshop aimed to raise awareness and sensitize private sector stakeholders on the importance of the NBSAP and their role […]

New Orchid Discovery …

New Orchid Discovery …

The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) is pleased to announce the discovery of a new orchid species, Zeuxine drukyulensis, from the warm broadleaved forests of western Bhutan. This discovery brings Bhutan’s Bhutan’s total recorded orchid species to 499, further highlighting the country’s rich floral diversity. Key Details: This significant discovery was made by Phub Gyeltshen and […]

NBC Concludes Final  …

NBC Concludes Final …

The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), Technical Working Group (TWG) members from various agencies, and the UNDP Bhutan office, successfully conducted the fourth and final regional consultation workshop on the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) […]

Regional Consultatio …

Regional Consultatio …

The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) and with support from Technical Working Group Members and UNDP Bhutan, successfully conducted the third regional consultation workshop on the Fifth National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) in Punakha from January […]

Regional Consultatio …

Regional Consultatio …

The National Biodiversity Centre successfully conducted the second Regional Consultation Meeting on the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) in Trongsa from 21-23 January 2025, with stakeholders from Bumthang, Trongsa, and Zhemgang dzongkhags. The consultation aimed to facilitate a ground-level review and validation of national targets, strategies, and actions outlined in the NBSAP, while […]

NBC Officials Visit  …

NBC Officials Visit …

The Program Director of the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), accompanied by a team of officials, visited the Centre for Yubja Conservation and Development at Sertsam, Lhuentse, to review ongoing activities and assess progress. During the visit, the Farm Manager provided a comprehensive update on the Centre’s initiatives, highlighting key developments, including the status of construction […]


Announcements

Change in Nomenclatu …

Change in Nomenclatu …

The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) would like to notify that two conservation centers under the Animal Genetic Resources Program have been renamed as per the letter no: RCSC/HRMD/11/2024/4442. The changes are as follows: National Nublang Breeding Centre, Tashiyangphu is now […]

Embrace Nature’s E …

Embrace Nature’s E …

The National Biodiversity Centre would like to inform the interested individuals that the much awaited Botanical Cafe is now available for rent, providing the ideal backdrop for unforgettable moments while enjoying serenity of our botanical haven. The Botanical Cafe, located […]

The Centre launches  …

The Centre launches …

The Centre is pleased to announce the monumental launch of Pangtse Makhu. Pangtse Makhu is a traditionally used cooking oil produced by small farming communities in the Punakha Dzongkhag and elsewhere where the plant is found. It is made from […]

Web applications

Videos

Agrobiodiversity music video

Biodiversity Interpretation Centre
Animal Genetic Resources Program – National Biodiversity Centre, Bhutan
Zhinor Massage Balm & Liniment for joint and muscle pain

Publications

Status of the Biodiversity of Bhutan

Useful Tips on Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)

A Material Transfer Agreement is a written contract that defines the rights, obligations, and restrictions for both the provider and the recipient with respect to the materials or any derivatives, and any confidential information exchanged with the material. It addresses issues such as ownership of materials and rights over the inventions resulting from the use of the materials, transfer, and use of the material, and any resulting publications or intellectual property rights.

We need to execute Material Transfer Agreements to regulate and streamline access to Bhutanese Genetic resources in order to:

  1. Ensure that access results in the fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
  2. Avoid unregulated access taking place.
  3. Facilitate research collaborations with national capacity-building.
  4. Fix accountability on the part of the Provider as well as Recipient of the material.
  5. Enable generation of information and knowledge sharing.

A Material Transfer Agreement is executed when Bhutanese biological/genetic resources are transferred to other countries for research and commercialization. It excludes biological resources which are traded as commodities for direct consumption. However, if the materials traded as commodities are later intended to be used for research and commercialization, a Material Transfer Agreement has to be executed.

Anyone sending the material is a Provider and anyone receiving the material is a Recipient.

A written application shall be submitted to the Program Director, National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang covering the following details:

  • Intended purpose of material transfer.
  • Types and numbers of material to be transferred.
  • Final destination of the material.
  • Details of the provider and recipient including proper mailing address.
  • National Identity number for a Bhutanese and Passport Number for foreigners.

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