The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launched short-term Internship Programme  (upto 3 months), for students who are undergoing graduation/post graduation, to offer hands-on, project-based learning through active engagement with NBA programmes.

The programme is designed to build capacity, deepen environmental awareness, and significantly enhance employment opportunities for young people in the biodiversity conservation and natural resources management sectors and also to develop them as a biodiversity ambassadors. 

The NBA also conducts regular Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship programme (BSIP) for the duration of one year and further extended to two more years. In the current year being the Sixth cycle of BSIP has selected 24 BSIP interns and placed them in various State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) for learning Biodiversity Conservation hands on and support SBBs/UTBCs in their functioning.

During the year-long programme, the interns allotted to SBBs/UTBCs, participate in meetings, organise programmes, conduct field studies apart from carrying out regular activities of SBBs/UTBCs. The NBA further provides opportunities to the interested interns to continue to undergo internship for two more years and deepen their knowledge and skill in biodiversity conservation.

The BSIP regular programme of one year was started off in active partnership of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), NBA and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to develop a cadre of trained young professionals through hands-on field engagement. Selected through a competitive all-India process, interns are deployed across States and Union Territories to support biodiversity conservation initiatives and assist SBBs and UTBCs.

The first BSIP cycle (2019–20) was inaugurated during the International Day for Biological Diversity 2020 on 22^nd May 2020, by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The NBA currently invests approximately Rs. One Crore in supporting these internships, contributing towards a strong nation building and to the development of a strong cadre of future biodiversity ambassadors.

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VM