Indian Biodiversity Awards

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Feb 28, 2023, 12:57

The Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the United Nations Development Programme, and the National Biodiversity Authority comes together annually to reward citizens and communities for their attempts at sustaining India’s ecosystem. The Indian Biodiversity Awards was first set up in 2012, after which it has been organized four times - 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021.

We often hear surprising accounts of citizens around the country and how they dedicate their lives and resources to work towards a sustainable future for India. The Indian Biodiversity Awards is an attempt to recognize, commend and reward these individuals for their endeavours towards securing India’s biodiversity.

When are Next Indian Biodiversity Awards?

The Indian Biodiversity Awards are usually held once in two years. The previous Indian Biodiversity Awards were announced in 2021 over a virtual celebration, and the upcoming ceremony is scheduled in 2023, for which registrations have already been submitted for review.

The winners from each category of the Indian Biodiversity Awards are rewarded a prize sum of INR 5 Lakh, a memento, and a certificate. Apart from this, other eligible participants are also recognized, with two certificates of appreciation and a cash prize of INR 1 lakh, again for each category.

Indian Biodiversity Awards Categories

There are usually four categories in these awards, which is also the case for the upcoming Indian Biodiversity Awards.

Category 1 (Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Resources)

This category intends to reward the individuals and institutions (public and private) for helping conserve and sustain India’s biological resources most sustainably and equitably possible.

Category 2 (Incentivising Acess and Benefit Sharing)

Here, corporate bodies (both public and private) will be recognized for setting up projects wherein the utilization of biological resources leads to monetary and non-monetary benefits, which are then equitably shared with the concerned communities and stakeholders.

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Category 3( Best Biodiversity Management Committee)

This is a category that has long prevailed in the awards, and it attempts to reward the best of the biodiversity management committees for their work in documentation of the biological resources, spreading awareness, empowerment, social equity, and equal sharing of benefits with the conservers and so on.

Category 4( Best People’s Biodiversity Register)

This category of awards recognizes innovative or traditional methods undertaken to document People’s Biodiversity Registers and recognize the Access and Benefit Sharing Potential.

List of Indian Biodiversity Award Winners 2021

For the Conservation of Domesticated Species: Shaji N.M. - ‘Tuber Man’ of Kerala and Amrabad Poda Lakmi Govu Sangam, Telangana.

For the Conservation of Wildlife: Valmiki Tiger Reserve and Chongna Foundation from Manipur.

For the Sustainable Use of Biological Resources: Krishi Avam Paristhitiki Vikas Sangathan, Officer S Sathish from Ramanathapuram Forest Range, and the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS).

For the Replicable mechanisms for access and benefit-sharing: Valagro Bioscience Ltd, Telangana, and Twichin Gram Bari BMC of Tripura.

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FAQs on Indian Biodiversity Awards

Q.1. Who was the winner of the Indian Biodiversity Awards 2021?

Shaji N.M, also known as the Tuber Man of Kerala, won the Indian Biodiversity Awards category of Conservation of domesticated species award.

Q.2. Are there any specifications about a minimum number of conserved species for being eligible to apply for the Indian Biodiversity Awards?

There are no limitations on the number of conserved species for any category. Conservation efforts for any number of species will be appreciated, these are the specifications about a minimum number of conserved species for being eligible to apply for the Indian Biodiversity Awards.

Q.3. What is the application process and the selection process for the Indian Biodiversity Awards?

The application form should be downloaded from the website and filled in. Both hard and soft copies are accepted. A separate committee of experts scrutinizes and evaluates all the applications, this is the application process and the selection process for the Indian Biodiversity Awards.

Q.4. What does the award consist of in the Indian Biodiversity Awards?

The winners receive a memento, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakhs for individuals. In the case of an institution, each institution will receive Rs 5 lakhs the award consist of in the Indian Biodiversity Awards.

Q.5. Who organizes the Indian Biodiversity Awards?

The Indian Biodiversity Awards is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the National Biodiversity Authority, and the United Nations Development Programme.