New Delhi, March 25: The National Biodiversity Authority has introduced a short-term internship opportunity for students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies, offering them real-world experience in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. The initiative has been launched under the guidance of Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The internship, which can run for up to three months, is structured to provide practical exposure through direct participation in ongoing projects and activities. It seeks to enhance awareness about environmental issues while equipping young individuals with skills that can improve their future career prospects and position them as advocates for biodiversity protection.
Alongside this initiative, the authority continues its long-duration Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme, which spans one year and can be extended further based on performance. In its current sixth cycle, 24 interns have been selected and placed across State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils to gain field-level experience.
Interns engaged in the programme take part in official meetings, conduct fieldwork, assist in organizing awareness programmes, and contribute to the functioning of these institutions. Those who show strong commitment are offered an opportunity to continue for an additional two years to deepen their expertise.
The programme was originally developed through collaboration involving the ministry, the biodiversity authority, and the United Nations Development Programme, with the aim of building a skilled workforce dedicated to conservation efforts across the country.
Its first edition was launched during the International Day for Biological Diversity 2020 on May 22, 2020. The government currently allocates close to one crore rupees annually to support these initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and youth engagement.
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