The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Rules, 2025 via G.S.R. 295(E) dated May 6, 2025. These new rules amend the earlier Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, and will come into force on November 1, 2025.
The key focus of this amendment is the procedure for obtaining a certificate of origin for cultivated medicinal plants, streamlining and digitising the process for applicants and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).
🔍 What’s New in the Amendment?
Fully Digitised Process:
- Applications, record-keeping, and issuance of certificates are now done entirely through a dedicated web portal.
Revised Rule 19:
- BMCs must maintain digital records of cultivated medicinal plants in Form 11.
- Applicants must apply using Form 11A through the portal.
- The certificate of origin will be auto-generated in Form 12 via the portal.
Updated Fee Structure (First Schedule):
- Maintaining cultivation records: No fee
- Application for certificate: ₹200
- Issuance of certificate: No fee
Simplification from Previous Rules:
- Replaces the older process involving self-declaration and physical submission.
- Removes the requirement for manual assessment and follow-up with BMCs or State Biodiversity Boards unless disputes arise.
🧾 Earlier Rule vs. Amended Rule – Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Original Rules (2024) | Amended Rules (2025) |
| Submission Method | Physical or digital self-declaration | Fully online via web portal |
| Responsible Authority | BMC, with oversight from State Board & NBA | BMC via portal; escalations only if disputes arise |
| Forms Used | Form 11 (application), Format 12 (record book) | Form 11 (record book), Form 11A (application), Form 12 (certificate) |
| Certificate Fee | ₹200 | ₹200 |
| Turnaround Time | 15 days, else escalate | Implicitly streamlined; digitised issuance |
| Dispute Resolution | Escalated to Authority via State Board | Unchanged |
IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE FORM 11 AND FORM 12 HAVE BEEN SUBSTITUTED WITH NEW FORMS
📌 Implications
- Farmers, cultivators, and herbal product manufacturers will benefit from a faster and more transparent application process.
- The digital portal will reduce paperwork and enhance traceability of medicinal plant origins, which is crucial for bioprospecting and ABS (Access and Benefit Sharing) compliance.
🗓 Effective Date
These amended rules will officially come into effect on November 1, 2025.
