National Biodiversity Authority Releases ₹2.82 Crore Under Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanism

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹2.82 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism, aimed at ensuring that benefits arising from the commercial use of India’s biological resources contribute towards biodiversity conservation and community development. 

State Biodiversity Boards and UT Councils Receive ₹2.80 Crore Under Benefit Sharing Framework 

The funds were generated from ABS payments received through the utilisation of biological resources and have been distributed among State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) and ICAR Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR IIHR), Karnataka.  

Out of the total amount, ₹2.80 crore has been allocated to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, while ₹2.01 lakh has been released to ICAR IIHR. The NBA received ₹2.94 crore from M/s Advanta Enterprises Ltd. (formerly M/s UPL Limited) as ABS payment linked to the utilisation of genetic resources associated with agricultural hybrids including cauliflower, hot pepper, okra and tomato. 

Gujarat Received Highest Allocation of Funds Across States for Biodiversity Activities 

As the biological resources were accessed through the acquisition of another company, the specific benefit claimers such as individual farmers, communities or a particular geographic source could not be identified. Following recommendations from an Expert Committee, the NBA approved a mechanism for distributing the benefit sharing amount. 

The funds will support activities such as updating People’s Biodiversity Registers, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, restoration of degraded ecosystems, strengthening of Biodiversity Heritage Sites, improving the capacity of Biodiversity Management Committees and supporting community livelihood initiatives. 

Gujarat received the highest allocation of ₹44.59 lakh, followed by West Bengal with ₹41.24 lakh and Madhya Pradesh with ₹32.73 lakh. Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra were among the other major recipient states. 

ABS Payment Supports Agricultural Research and Conservation Efforts 

Separately, NBA received ₹7.15 lakh from M/s Sumitomo Chemical India Ltd., Mumbai, towards ABS payment for access to microbial strains sourced from ICAR IIHR, Karnataka. These strains were used for research and commercial utilisation. 

As the resources were accessed from a public research institution, 30% of the ABS amount, equivalent to ₹2.01 lakh, is being provided to ICAR IIHR. The institution will utilise the funds for research activities, biodiversity surveys, conservation efforts and maintenance of biological repositories. 

NBA Strengthens Biodiversity Benefit Sharing System 

The disbursement reflects the continued implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and its regulatory framework. The initiative focuses on ensuring that benefits from India’s biological resources are directed towards conservation, sustainable use and socio-economic development. 

So far, the total ABS amount released by the NBA has reached ₹185 crore, equivalent to $19.34 million. The initiative also aligns with India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Read More: Delhi Lakshmi Yojana: ₹2,500 Monthly Assistance for Women to Start from September 1, 2026! 

Conclusion 

The release of ABS funds by the National Biodiversity Authority highlights the role of benefit sharing in connecting commercial utilisation of biological resources with conservation and community development.  

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