National Biodiversity Authority Disburses Rs 45 Lakh for Ecological Conservation
In a significant step towards promoting biodiversity conservation, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has allocated Rs 45.05 lakh to support local communities through State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. This financial assistance aims to facilitate equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources.
The funds are set to benefit over 90 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) across ten states and two union territories, namely Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, as well as the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Ladakh. Additionally, 15 farmers from Andhra Pradesh, involved in cultivating Red Sanders, will also receive support.
These BMCs operate in various settings, ranging from rural villages and urban local bodies to mangrove ecosystems and industrial areas. The benefits distributed stem from the utilization of diverse biological resources, including specific insects, microorganisms from soil and water, and cultivated Red Sanders, illustrating the link between biodiversity, scientific innovation, and the bio-economy.
Encouraging Biodiversity Conservation
Under the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism, a portion of the profits generated by companies using biological resources is shared with local communities. This approach not only enhances livelihoods but also incentivizes communities to protect biodiversity and its sustainable use. The NBA’s streamlined regulations aim to improve transparency and facilitate business operations while ensuring the interests of local communities and environmental integrity are upheld.
Collaboratively, the NBA engages with states, local bodies, researchers, industry, and communities to promote awareness and build capacity for biodiversity conservation. The authority also emphasizes the importance of documenting People’s Biodiversity Registers incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and fosters a participatory approach in biodiversity management at the grassroots level.
Financial Milestones and Global Commitments
These initiatives have resulted in cumulative ABS payments surpassing Rs 145 crore (approximately USD 16 million). The NBA continues to play a pivotal role in fulfilling India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol on ABS at both national and global levels. Furthermore, the NBA aligns its efforts with the National Biodiversity Targets and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, striving for a more sustainable future.
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