Biological Diversity Amendment Rules, 2025: Simplified Certification for Medicinal Plants

Introduction

To strengthen biodiversity governance and streamline documentation for medicinal plant cultivation, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Rules, 2025. These rules amend Rule 19 of the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, introducing a structured digital process for maintaining records and issuing Certificates of Origin. Effective from November 1, 2025, the new rules benefit farmers, herbal traders, researchers, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) by digitizing recordkeeping and formalizing access to cultivated medicinal resources.

Let’s explore these critical changes and understand how they simplify compliance and improve traceability.

Key Amendments at a Glance

The 2025 Amendment brings several clear updates:

1. New Rule 19: Digital Process for Certification

BMCs must maintain details of cultivated medicinal plants in Form 11 on a dedicated web portal.
Applicants seeking a Certificate of Origin must apply using Form 11A, along with a ₹200 fee.
Based on the registered data, the portal will generate a digital certificate in Form 12.

2. Updated Forms and Schedules

Form 11: Book format for BMCs to enter plant details—botanical name, cultivation period, and estimated annual yield.
Form 11A: Application format capturing personal details, location of BMC, and quantity of medicinal plants cultivated.
Form 12: Digitally generated certificate with a unique ID or QR code certifying the origin and quantity of medicinal plants.

3. Revised Fee Structure

No fee for maintaining records (Form 11)
₹200 fee for applying for Certificate of Origin (Form 11A)
No fee for issuing the certificate (Form 12)

Why Biological Diversity Amendment Rules 2025 Matters

With the global demand for medicinal plants increasing, India needed a formal and transparent system to document cultivated varieties. Earlier, manual records caused delays, lacked standardization, and hindered traceability. These new digital rules offer:

Faster approval process
Reliable data entry by BMCs
Digital certification for better export readiness
Legal documentation for domestic or international use

Moreover, since many medicinal plants are similar to wild species, the certificate helps distinguish cultivated from wild-harvested material—important for biodiversity conservation.

Benefits for Stakeholders: Biological Diversity Amendment Rules 2025

1. Farmers and Growers

Gain official recognition for cultivated medicinal plants
Can now produce proof of origin for trade or research use
Get easier access to regulatory permissions or export clearance

2. Traders and Processors

Strengthen supply chain traceability
Meet compliance for both domestic and global markets
Avoid legal issues related to wild plant extraction

3. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)

Digitally manage records in real-time
Improve community-level resource monitoring
Maintain transparency and consistency in plant data

4. Researchers and Herbal Manufacturers

Source from verified cultivators
Use certificates in research projects, patent applications, or product approvals
Reduce documentation errors in licensing or grant submissions

Step-by-Step Process for Compliance: Biological Diversity Amendment Rules 2025

Step 1:
Growers inform their local Biodiversity Management Committee about cultivated medicinal plants. BMC updates Form 11 on the portal.

Step 2:
Growers apply online using Form 11A, paying ₹200, and specifying plant names and quantities.

Step 3:
BMC verifies the entries and generates a digital Certificate of Origin via Form 12.

Step 4:
Certificate is issued with a unique digital ID or QR code, usable in legal, research, or commercial applications.

Declaration and Legal Responsibility

Every applicant must submit a declaration in Form 11A, affirming that the information provided is true and accurate. False declarations may invite scrutiny or cancellation of certificates.

Conclusion: Biological Diversity Amendment Rules 2025

The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Rules, 2025 offer a much-needed update to India’s biodiversity framework by bringing in digitization, clarity, and efficiency. By streamlining how Certificates of Origin are issued for cultivated medicinal plants, the rules enhance transparency and ease for everyone involved—from farmers to herbal exporters. With a low fee, simple online forms, and QR-coded certificates, the new system encourages legal, traceable, and sustainable use of biodiversity.