Friends, here we dedicate the third issue of BioNE to you. We are happy to share with you all that our journey has achieved yet another landmark and an ISSN number has recently been assigned to our e-zine.

India as a whole and especially, the North Eastern Region is exceptionally rich in natural resources, harbouring a lot of biodiversity, in regards to both flora and fauna. According to the published literature, approximately 45,000 species of plants representing as much as 11% of the world’s flora are available in India (Mudgal and Hajra, 1997). Another publication says that the total estimate of animal species in India is about 89,450 (Survey data, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, 1994). The huge biodiversity resources that we possess as a gift from nature are, however, not at a very good shape at present and gradually shrinking because of increased anthropogenic activities. The administrators, policymakers and the society at large are pathetically unaware, ill-informed and not bothered about the weaning natural resources/biodiversity. Even though there is an independent act, Indian Biodiversity Act (2002) in place, it is rarely applied and the reason for that is the lack of concern about this act among various stack-holders, viz. common citizens, forest staff, scientists, law enforcement agencies, etc. So, here I intend to highlight a few salient points of this act-

1. 1) No part of Biodiversity or Biological resource can be used by anyone without permission from competent authorities, viz. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) in different states, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the level of local community (Panchayat).

2. 2) Any experimental result generated by any Indian scientist in no case is transferable or sharable to any other person/agency abroad without prior permission of NBA.

3. 3) Any intellectual property generated out of a research involving biodiversity/biological resource can only be claimed after prior permission from NBA.

4. 4) Prior NBA permission is necessary if a researcher wants to share biological resource (as a sample) with his/her collaborator outside India.

These four points are only a gist of different aspects under the purview of this act and elaborate information regarding various aspects concerning the conservation of biodiversity is available with National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai. Different formats of application for permissions under different categories can also be accessed from the website of NBA (http://nbaindia.org/). Friends, our efforts and initiatives to make the common citizens of the society aware about it may have a substantial impact in future in management, maintenance and conservation of biodiversity in India. Let us join hands together in this noble endeavour so that we may succeed in our efforts to conserve our biodiversity and nature for posterity.