NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY CENTRE

Leading Bhutan's  efforts in biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization since 1998.

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Message from the Program Director

In Bhutan, we do not see ourselves as rulers of nature, but as its caretakers. Our Constitution commits us to protecting at least 60% forest cover – not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.

Biodiversity is not just about saving rare plants or animals. It is about preserving balance – between people and the natural world, between progress and protection. Every seed, every insect, every stream plays a role in the health of our planet.

At the National Biodiversity Centre, we work to protect not just species, but also the knowledge and culture that sustain them. Conservation is not just science; it is also a story of connection, of responsibility, and of love.

- Dr. Karma Dema Dorji

Our Programs

Education: Learn with Us

Experience Bhutan’s biodiversity through immersive learning at the Biodiversity Interpretation Centre, laboratories, facilities, and the Royal Botanical Garden.

Our Work in Motion

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Explore Our Biodiversity Data

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Bhutan Biodiversity Portal

A citizen-driven platform hosting species data, observations, and documents of Bhutan’s biodiversity.

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Biodiversity in Numbers

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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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