As stipulated in the Sarawak Biodiversity Ordinance 1997, Sarawak Biodiversity Regulations 1998 and Sarawak Biodiversity (Amendment) Ordinance 2003 and Sarawak Biodiversity (Amendment) Ordinance 2014, SBC carries out the following core functions:
Implementing bioprospecting programmes on the State's indigenous biodiversity
Facilitating the documentation of Traditional Knowledge on communities' management and utilization of biodiversity
propagating Sarawak's indigenous plants for conservation and appreciation
maintaining biodiversity-related databases
conducting biodiversity-biotechnology awareness and appreciation programmes
Regulating biodiversity-related research with commercial potential in Sarawak through the Research Permit System
Networking with organizations with similar interests
To implement these functions, SBC is carrying out the following programmes:
Traditional Knowledge Documentation Programme
Research and Development (Bioprospecting) Programme
Bioinformatics Programme
Biodiversity Garden Programme
Awareness and Appreciation Programme
The five programmes are carried out in concordance with the statutory functions as stipulated in the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Ordinance 1997 with Amendments 2014.
