Overview The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has constituted a high‑level Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species following a suo motu order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) . The move aligns with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s (MoEFCC) advisory and the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended 2023) . The committee’s mandate is to create a consolidated national list, prioritize high‑risk species, and frame science‑based management and eradication guidelines. Key Developments NGT’s suo motu proceeding (O.A. No. 162/2023) highlighted threats of invasive species to biodiversity, agriculture, food security and health. NBA, exercising powers under the Biological Diversity Act, formed a multi‑disciplinary committee for a two‑year term. Chairmanship given to Shri Dhananjai Mohan, IFS (Retd.) with Prof. (Dr.) A. Biju Kumar as Co‑Chair. Committee includes experts from ZSI , BSI , ICAR, ICFRE, WII, FSI and state forest departments of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra and Assam. International participation from IUCN and leading research institutions. Important Facts The committee’s core responsibilities are: Compile a national list of invasive alien species based on state‑wise inputs. Identify and prioritize species posing the highest ecological and socio‑economic risk. Recommend management strategies, ecological restoration measures, and national‑level guidelines for prevention, control and eradication. Document best practices, highlight knowledge gaps and propose research programmes. Disseminate findings to policymakers, scientists and the public. The committee will operate for **two years**, after which a comprehensive report will be submitted to the NBA and MoEFCC. UPSC Relevance Understanding this development is crucial for several UPSC topics: Environmental Governance : Illustrates the role of specialised tribunals (NGT) and statutory bodies (NBA) in implementing biodiversity laws. Policy Implementation : Shows how inter‑ministerial coordination and expert committees translate legal mandates into actionable programmes. International Commitments : Aligns with India’s obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety. Disaster Management & Food Security : Invasive species affect agriculture, fisheries and forest health, linking to GS‑2 (Food Security) and GS‑3 (Rural Development). Way Forward To maximise impact, the committee should: Establish a real‑time monitoring network using remote sensing and citizen science. Integrate invasive‑species management into existing forest, agriculture and fisheries extension services. Mobilise financial resources through the National Biodiversity Fund and state‑level schemes. Facilitate capacity building for forest officers and local communities. Periodically review and update the national list to reflect emerging threats. Effective implementation will enhance ecosystem resilience, protect livelihoods and help India meet its global biodiversity targets.