UP to set up Bio-diversity Board

Lucknow, Aug 1 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government today announced setting up of a bio-Diversity board on the lines of the National Bio-Diversity Authority set up by the Centre.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav here this afternoon.

Section 22 of the National Bio-Diversity Act, 2002 had proposed setting up of state Bio-Diversity Boards. ''This was part of India's commitment at the Rio de Janeiro convention on the issue,'' said chief secretary Naveen Chandra Bajpai.

The proposed Board would work towards conserving the state bio-diversity, prevent its over-exploitation and articulate UP's claims towards Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

A well-known figure in the field of bio-diversity would head the board, while five government officials would be its members. Five experts from the field of geology, zoology, biology and related field would also be taken as member-experts.

The Centre has already sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for setting up the Board.

UNI NAB VS MSJ KP1733