The Biodiversity and Land use Division (BLD) was instituted in 2019 at the NECS as there was a need to coordinate biodiversity and land issues at the national level.  Biodiversity conservation and land management must also be integrated with cross cutting issues such as development activities, urbanization and climate change among others. 

Bhutan became party to and ratified the United Nation Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1995 by the 73rd session of the National Assembly. At the national level, NECS is the focal agency for CBD and the Biodiversity and Land use Division (BLD) under Secretariat is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the biodiversity actions in fulfilling the various obligations under the convention in close collaboration with implementing agencies.  

Mandates of the Biodiversity and Land Use Division as emanated from the NEPA 2007:
1. Ensure conservation and sustainable use of natural resources; 
2. Coordinate Policy issues on biodiversity and land use; 
3. Ensure that biodiversity is mainstreamed into relevant policies, plans and    programs;
4. Coordinate the obligations and commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
5. Conduct compliance monitoring to ensure that there is no adverse impact on biodiversity and land due to development activities in the country;
6. Outreach, communication and raise awareness on biodiversity and Land use;
7. Promote the use of clean energy and alternative/innovative technologies in order to reduce the use of fuel wood/timber from primary forest; 
8. Ensure conservation and protection of wetlands, alpine regions, watersheds, and other vulnerable ecosystems in addition to the existing protected areas in consultation with other relevant agencies; 
9. Ensure that long-term biological monitoring and research frameworks are established in order to monitor and assess biological trends and processes to measure ecosystem integrity and species survival;
10. Promote and support tools and technologies for ecosystem management (payment for ecosystem services, ecosystem-based adaptation, ecosystem valuation);
11. Provide relevant assessment/guidance and recommendations on biodiversity and land use issues to NEC and government in accordance with the NEPA 2007; 
12. Provide input on biodiversity and land component in the State of Environment Reports; and, 
13. Manage and disseminate information related to biodiversity and land use in the country (Clearing House Mechanism and Environment Information Management System)