On 29th August, 2022, the Environment and Climate Change Committee of the National Assembly represented by Hon’ble Chairperson Gyem Dorji, Hon’ble MP Gyambo Tshering and Natural Resource and Environment Committee of the National Council represented by Hon’ble MP Karma Gyeltshen along with officials from the National Assembly Secretariat sensitized on the Biodiversity Act 2022 to all the relevant biodiversity stakeholders.
The Biodiversity Act 2022 was adopted by the 7th session of the Third Parliament of Bhutan and received a Royal Assent from the Druk Gyalpo on the 17th day of the 5th month of the Water Male Tiger year 2022.
The Act will ensure that our biodiversity is effectively conserved, sustainably used, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization through wise use of our resources as a development asset to contribute to the sustainable and socio-economic development of the country. It will also prevent misappropriation and biopiracy. Further, the Act will also provide the protection of plant varieties and the rights of breeders to encourage the development of new varieties and at the same time protect the rights of Bhutanese farmers. Overall, it is a comprehensive act covering a wide range of issues and compliments other environment related legislations.
The program was attended by a total of 35 participants composed of representatives from the National Environment Commission Secretariat, Department of Forests & Park Services, Department of Livestock, Department of Agriculture, Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority, Royal Society for Protection of Nature,World Wildlife Fund, UNDP Co. Bhutan, Department of Traditional Medicine, Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited, Department of Intellectual Property, National Soil Service Center, National Center for Organic Agriculture, National Mushroom Center, College of Natural Resources and the staffs from the National Biodiversity Centre.
The program concluded by presenting a copy of Biodiversity Act 2022 to the Officiating Program Director of NBC, Dr. Asta Maya Tamang.
