Current Affairs - Awards and Honours - Discussion

Dr P L Gautam was appointed as the Chairperson of the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) on June 13, 2026. A Padma Shri awardee, he has previously served as the head of both the National Biodiversity Authority and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA). The committee was reconstituted under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and is tasked with promoting the conservation of agricultural genetic resources and strengthening Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanisms. It also provides guidance on international agreements related to plant genetic resources and supports India's biodiversity and sustainable development commitments.