**Executive Summary**
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has constituted a multi-disciplinary Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species to address ecological and socio-economic risks. Formed under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, following directions from the National Green Tribunal and MoEFCC, the committee will function for a two-year period. Its primary objective is to develop national guidelines and a consolidated list of high-risk species to safeguard India's biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Regulatory Framework and Origin**
* The committee was established in exercise of powers under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended in 2023).
* Formation follows a *suo motu* proceeding by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding threats to agriculture, food security, and human and wildlife health.
* The initiative is supported by an advisory from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
* **Core Mandate and Responsibilities**
* Preparation of a consolidated national list of invasive alien species based on State-wise inputs.
* Identification and prioritization of high-risk species.
* Recommendation of science-based management strategies and ecological restoration measures.
* Formulation of national-level guidelines for the prevention, control, and eradication of invasive species.
* Documentation of best practices and identification of critical knowledge gaps for long-term policy responses.
* **Committee Composition**
* Chaired by Shri Dhananjai Mohan, IFS (Retd.), with Prof. (Dr.) A. Biju Kumar as Co-Chair.
* Comprises experts from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Botanical Survey of India (BSI), ICAR, WII, and Forest Survey of India.
* Includes representatives from international bodies like the IUCN and State Forest Departments of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Assam.
**Impact Analysis**
**National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)**
**Impact:** The NBA is now equipped with a specialized body to provide strategic guidance on invasive species management.
**Action Required:** Oversee the committee’s two-year term and facilitate the implementation of the recommended national-level guidelines.
**State Forest Departments**
**Impact:** Departments (specifically mentioned: Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Assam) are integrated into a coordinated, science-driven national approach.
**Action Required:** Provide State-wise inputs to the committee to assist in the creation of the consolidated national list of invasive alien species.
**Scientific and Research Institutions (e.g., ZSI, BSI, ICAR, WII)**
**Impact:** These institutions will play a central role in bridging knowledge gaps and generating data for policy responses.
**Action Required:** Collaborate on research and data generation programmes to strengthen long-term management strategies.
**Agriculture and Health Sectors**
**Impact:** These sectors stand to benefit from reduced risks to food security and human/wildlife health posed by invasive species.
**Action Required:** Monitor and potentially adopt the science-based management strategies and restoration measures recommended by the committee.
Key Entities Referenced
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): The statutory body that constituted the Expert Committee to address the ecological and socio-economic risks of invasive alien species.
Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species: A multi-disciplinary body mandated to develop a national list of invasive species, management strategies, and national-level guidelines for their control.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: The governing law (as amended in 2023) under which the National Biodiversity Authority exercised its powers to form the expert committee.
National Green Tribunal (NGT): The judicial body whose directions in a suo motu proceeding prompted the study and subsequent formation of the committee.
Dhananjai Mohan: Former PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand, who serves as the Chairperson of the newly constituted Expert Committee.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
National Biodiversity Authority constitutes Expert
Committee on Invasive Alien Species
Posted On: 21 MAR 2026 9:05AM by PIB Delhi
In pursuance of the directions of the National Green Tribunal, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
has constituted an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species to address the growing ecological and
socio-economic risks posed by such species across the country.
The decision follows a suo motu proceeding (O.A. No. 162/2023) by the NGT, which underscored the
serious threats of invasive alien species to native biodiversity, key ecosystems, agriculture, food security,
and human and wildlife health, and directed the NBA to undertake a comprehensive study. This was
further reinforced by advisory from the MoEFCC to establish a dedicated expert body.
Accordingly, in exercise of its powers under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (as amended in 2023), the
NBA has constituted a multi-disciplinary committee to provide strategic guidance on the issue. The
Committee has been mandated to prepare a consolidated national list of invasive alien species based on
State-wise inputs, identify and prioritise high-risk species, and recommend science-based management
strategies, ecological restoration measures, and national-level guidelines for their prevention, control, and
eradication. It will also document and disseminate best practices, identify critical knowledge gaps, and
propose research and data generation programmes to strengthen long-term management and policy
responses.
The Committee is chaired by Shri Dhananjai Mohan, IFS (Retd.), former PCCF and Head of Forest Force,
Uttarakhand, with Prof. (Dr.) A. Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean
Studies, serving as Co-Chair, and comprises senior officials and eminent experts from key Ministries and
premier scientific institutions, including representatives from the Zoological Survey of India, Botanical
Survey of India, ICAR research bureaus on plant, fish and insect genetic resources, Indian Council of
Forestry Research and Education, Wildlife Institute of India, Forest Survey of India, and State Forest
Departments of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Assam, along with international and academic
experts such as IUCN and leading research institutions.
The composition reflects a broad spectrum of expertise spanning ecology, forestry, agriculture, fisheries,
marine sciences, and biodiversity conservation, ensuring a coordinated, science-driven, and whole-of-
government approach to tackling invasive alien species.
The Committee will function for a period of two years and is expected to significantly contribute to
safeguarding India’s biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and supporting national and global
biodiversity commitments.
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VM
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