The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed approximately ₹3.79 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to 33 State Biodiversity Boards, Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, and national institutes. The funds were collected from companies including M/s Bayer Science and Innovation Pvt. Ltd., M/s HM Clause India Pvt. Ltd., and M/s Advanta Enterprises Limited for accessing vegetable and oilseed genetic resources for research and commercial utilization. Additionally, an ABS amount was received from the Department of Animal Production and Health, Government of Sri Lanka, for access to Sahiwal cattle semen.
The disbursement covers a diverse range of India's agrobiodiversity, including tomato, chilli, brinjal, cauliflower, watermelon, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, okra, mustard seed varieties, and deep-frozen Sahiwal cattle semen. The ABS framework, implemented under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and aligned with the Nagoya Protocol, ensures equitable benefit sharing when biological resources are accessed by users from other countries.
The amount was disbursed proportionately among States and Union Territories based on cultivation-area data published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The largest recipients were Madhya Pradesh (₹46.93 lakh), West Bengal (₹44.76 lakh), Odisha (₹44.08 lakh), Gujarat (₹34.76 lakh), and Andhra Pradesh (₹29.21 lakh). The recipient agencies are required to utilize these funds for activities including preparation and updating People's Biodiversity Registers, in-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity, strengthening of Biodiversity Heritage Sites, capacity building of Biodiversity Management Committees, and socio-economic development of local communities.
This initiative reaffirms India's commitment to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 13 on fair and equitable benefit sharing and Target 4 on conserving genetic diversity. It also contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). With cumulative ABS disbursements by the NBA now exceeding ₹166 crore, this release strengthens the link between biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and community livelihoods.