It has been decided to set up a Task Force on Biodiversity and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for the Environment and Forests Sector for the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. The composition of the Task Force will be as under:

1.	Ms. Suman Sahai, Khanpur, New Delhi	Chairman
2.	Shri Devinder Sharma, Forum For Biotech. and Food Security, New Delhi	Member
3.	Dr. K.N.Ganeshiah, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore	Member
4.	Dr. V. Arunachalam, MSSRF, Chennai	Member
5.	Shri R S Kulkarni, Head, Genetics and PI Br, GKVK Bangalore	Member
6.	Prof Deepak Pental, Vice Chancellor , Delhi University	Member
7.	Prof. S. K. Sopory, ICGEB, Delhi	Member
8.	Dr. S. K. Raina, Nath Seeds , Aurangabad	Member
9.	Dr Bala Ravi, MSSRF, Chennai	Member
10	. Shri Dinesh Abrol, Delhi Science Forum	Member
11	. Ms. Rajeshwari Raina, NISTADS, Delhi	Member

II. Terms of Reference of the Task Force will be as follows:

1. Review the current laws, policies, procedures and practices related to conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity and proper management of GMOs and recommend correctives.
2. Similarly review the institutional and individual capacities available to address issues related to conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity and proper management of GMOs and recommend how they may be adequately strengthened.
3. Specifically examine the implementation of Biological Diversity Act and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Acts and ways of promoting synergies in their operation.
4. Also examine the possibilities of enacting an act to protect domesticated animal diversity and herders' rights.
5. Explore ways of promoting the much needed inter-sectoral dialogue amongst Environment and Forest, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Ministries to address issues related to conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity and proper management of GMOs.
6. Ministry of Environment and Forests will provide basic information and data input to the Task Force as and when required.
7. The Chairperson of the Task Force will be free to co-opt any official / non-official as special invitee for its meeting.
8. The non-official members will be paid TA/DA by the Planning Commission as per SR 190 (a) for attending meetings of the Working Group.
9. The Task Force will submit its report to the Chairman, Working Group on Wildlife, Bio­diversity, traditional knowledge and Animal Welfare by 31.10.2006.
10. Shri M. Ravindranath, Joint Adviser (E and F), Room No. 301, Yojana Bhavan (Tel No. 23096725) will be the Nodal Officer for the for Task Force all further communications.