Rules & Regulations
Constitution of APSBB
The Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APSBB) was established vide G.O.Ms.No.68, EPS&T Department dated 11.5.2006 which was notified in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette No.290 dated 20.05.2006.
The State of Andhra Pradesh aims at conserving and restoring Biodiversity with the following objectives:
- Conservation of Biological Diversity with focus on rare, endangered and threatened species of plants/herbs/shrubs used in Ayurveda and other Ayush systems.
- Sustainable use of biodiversity for providing employment, income and self-confidence among the stakeholders.
- Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of cultivation/harvesting and the utilization of biological resources, the knowledge connected therewith.
Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)
The APSBB has constituted 100% Biodiversity Management Committees at all levels of Local bodies as per the provision of BD Act, 2002 and orders issued by National Green Tribunal:
- Gram Panchayats: 13,363
- Mandal/Municipality/Municipal Corporation: 120
- Districts: 13
- Total: 14,117 BMCs
Operationalization of BMCs
- Local Biodiversity Fund Bank accounts have been opened for every Biodiversity Management Committee at Gram Panchayat, Mandal, District and Urban Local bodies level.
- An amount of Rs. 9,5934,500* has been distributed among 10,020 G.P. level BMCs out of 13,638 in the first phase.
- An innovative programme called Core Activities Action Plan (CAAP) consisting of 15 activities has been designed and funds released to each BMC.
- 500 NGOs have been appointed as Mandal Biodiversity Coordinators (MBCs) on voluntary basis to coordinate activities between APSBB and G.P. level BMCs.
People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs)
- Prepared e-PBRs at all levels of local bodies in Andhra Pradesh, as per NBA guidelines.
- Completed the task of PBR updating and verification programme from 23.05.2023 to 03.06.2023 through Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) in the state.
Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)
The A.P. State Biodiversity Board has identified 63 Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)/Sacred Groves/Biodiversity hotspots in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
District Collectors have been addressed to identify potential sites to declare as BHS/Sacred Groves/BD Hotspots and upload applications with resolution from concerned BMCs on the APSBB website.
Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)
As per Section 43(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Rule no. 23 of Andhra Pradesh Biological Diversity Rules, 2009:
- Identified District level Tradable Bioresources (TBRs) and documents prepared (13 nos).
- Funds have been released from NBA - ABS - Red Sanders for operationalization of BMCs.
Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives
- Home Herbal Gardens (HHG): Initiated HHG programme in 13,000 BMCs with 50% beneficiaries from SCs & STs in collaboration with NMPB. A total of 2,820,000 plants distributed.
- Nurseries Development: Developed 11 Nurseries under NMPB project and raised about 6,000,000 medicinal plants (600,000 plants per Nursery).
- Biodiversity Parks: Established Biodiversity Parks and Digital Museums in seven locations across A.P.
- Awareness Programs: Conducted about 385 Biodiversity allied Awareness Programmes /Workshops /Seminars /Conferences at all levels.
Regulatory Framework for Development Projects
The APSBB is proposing a project on Compensation for loss of Biodiversity due to execution of Development Projects in the State of A.P.
The Government of India has issued guidelines for payment of compensation by Organizations/Government executing Development Projects to APSBB for Conservation of Biodiversity loss.
Research and Documentation
The APSBB promotes biodiversity research through:
- Sanction of Research projects to scientific organizations
- Documentation and publication of brochures, books and publicity material
- Bio-inventorying and documentation of marine species in coastal ecosystems
- Survey and documentation of threatened species of Andhra Pradesh
International Day of Biological Diversity
Every year on 22nd May, APSBB conducts Biodiversity programmes on the eve of International Day of Biological Diversity based on specific themes with involvement of people's participation, students and various stakeholders.
