India Boosts Biodiversity Efforts with ₹10.40 Lakh Fund Release
In a major advancement for biodiversity conservation and local community support, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed ₹10.40 lakh under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework. This initiative underscores India’s dedication to ensuring that communities committed to conserving biological resources are fairly compensated for the commercial use of these resources.
The latest funding will benefit Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) spread across 24 districts in nine states and one Union Territory, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Meghalaya, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana. These committees, which represent diverse ecological regions from rural villages and coastal areas to urban centers, are vital for the preservation of biodiversity. Notably, a dairy farmer in Haryana was also recognized for contributing the indigenous Murrah Buffalo breed, further highlighting the importance of local livestock.
Supporting Local Communities and Biodiversity
The funds for ABS stem from the commercial utilization of various biological resources, bolstering India’s bio-economic sector. This includes microorganisms like beneficial bacteria used in pharmaceuticals, marine microalgae utilized in nutraceuticals, and seaweed increasingly adopted in agriculture and cosmetics.
Among the bioresources accessed are holy basil (Tulsi) leaves, drumstick (Moringa) seeds, neem seeds, soapnut seeds, rosemary leaves, ashwagandha roots, mushroom-derived chitosan, and Pacific white shrimp. These examples reflect the dual impact of biodiversity on ecological balance and scientific progress, benefiting industries and rural livelihoods alike.
Economic Incentives for Conservation
The ABS mechanism ensures that a portion of benefits from biological resource usage is shared with local communities engaged in their conservation. This system creates a direct economic incentive for sustainable natural resource use while fostering conservation efforts.
To date, total ABS disbursements at the national level have surpassed ₹145 crore (approximately $16 million), highlighting the escalating influence of India’s biodiversity governance framework. The NBA continues to be instrumental in advancing India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, while also contributing to national biodiversity goals and the global Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
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