Wide Geographic and Ecological Coverage
The beneficiary committees are spread across Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, along with the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
These BMCs represent diverse ecological landscapes, ranging from rural villages and urban local bodies to mangrove ecosystems and areas surrounding industrial zones, highlighting the broad scope of India’s biodiversity governance.
Sharing Benefits from Biological Resources
The benefit-sharing amount was generated from the commercial use of various biological resources, including insects, soil and water microorganisms, and cultivated Red Sanders. These resources were utilised in the development of multiple products, demonstrating the critical role biodiversity plays in scientific research and the growing bio-economy.
Under the ABS mechanism, companies using these resources share a portion of their commercial gains with local communities, creating economic incentives for conservation and sustainable use.
Supporting Livelihoods and Conservation
The NBA said the disbursement will help improve livelihoods at the grassroots level while encouraging communities to actively protect and conserve local biological resources. By linking conservation with economic benefits, the ABS framework strengthens community participation in biodiversity governance.
The authority has also simplified regulatory procedures in recent years to enhance transparency and promote ease of doing business, without compromising community rights or ecological safeguards.
Strengthening Grassroots Biodiversity Governance
The NBA works closely with state governments, local bodies, researchers, industry and community institutions to spread awareness and build capacity for sustainable biodiversity management. A key focus area is the preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers, which document local biological resources and traditional knowledge through participatory processes.
These registers serve as critical tools for conservation planning and benefit-sharing decisions, ensuring that indigenous knowledge holders are recognised and protected.
India’s Global Biodiversity Commitments
With cumulative ABS payments now crossing ₹145 crore, the NBA continues to play a central role in fulfilling India’s obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol. These efforts also contribute to achieving national biodiversity targets and the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
