NBA Names Padma Shri Dr P L Gautam Chair of Expert Panel

New Delhi, June 13, 2026: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has reconstituted its Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity for a period of one year under Section 13(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The committee will provide expert advice on the conservation, sustainable use, and access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of agricultural biodiversity and related issues.

Leading agricultural scientist P. L. Gautam, who was recently honored with the Padma Shri, has been appointed Chair of the committee. The Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) will serve as the Co-Chair.

Veteran Agricultural Scientist to Lead Advisory Body

Dr. P. L. Gautam is a former Chairperson of both the National Biodiversity Authority and PPVFRA and is widely recognized for his contributions to agricultural science and biodiversity conservation.

The reconstituted committee will continue the work carried out by the advisory body since 2005, addressing emerging challenges related to agricultural genetic resources and biodiversity governance.

Key Role in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture

Over the years, the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity has played an important role in supporting the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act by providing recommendations on:

• Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms;

• Export of seeds and farm animal embryos;

• Conventional plant breeding activities;

• Collaborative international research involving biological resources;

• India's obligations under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).

Its recommendations have helped balance biodiversity conservation with agricultural innovation and research.

Committee Includes Experts from Leading Institutions

The newly constituted committee comprises senior representatives and experts from:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare;

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR);

• National Bureaus of Plant, Animal and Fish Genetic Resources;

• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University;

• National Innovation Foundation;

• NALSAR University of Law;

• Other research, academic and policy institutions.

Focus Areas of the Reconstituted Committee

The committee will advise the NBA on several critical areas, including:

Conservation of Native Crop Varieties

It will recommend measures for the protection and sustainable use of threatened indigenous crop varieties and livestock breeds.

Seed Sector and Biodiversity Regulations

The panel will examine issues relating to the seed sector under the Biological Diversity Act and review guidelines governing international collaborative research involving biological resources.

Support for International Commitments

The committee will provide technical and policy inputs to strengthen India's engagement with international agreements related to agricultural biodiversity, particularly the ITPGRFA.

Supporting Climate-Resilient Agriculture

The reconstitution of the committee reflects the Government of India's commitment to:

• Conserving agricultural biodiversity;

• Protecting genetic resources and traditional knowledge;

• Promoting climate-resilient and sustainable farming systems;

• Strengthening food security.

The initiative will contribute to India's updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) targets and support the achievement of:

• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger

• SDG 13 – Climate Action

• SDG 15 – Life on Land

Why This Matters

Agricultural biodiversity forms the foundation of food security and climate resilience. As changing weather patterns and environmental pressures pose increasing challenges, conserving native crop varieties and livestock diversity has become critical for ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.

The reconstituted Expert Committee is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping policies that safeguard India's rich agricultural heritage while supporting innovation and research.