The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has collected Rs 2.4 crore within the last 45 days through the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework. This amount came from 10 applications related to the commercial use of biological resources in sectors like seed and animal feed/cosmetics. The contributions were obtained from utilizing various agricultural biological resources such as rice, onion, mustard, cotton, and more.
A significant portion of the total amount was generated from the commercial utilization of mustard and rice hybrids. Under the ABS mechanism, benefits are shared with various entities like Institutes, local communities, farmers, and Biodiversity Management Committees. This approach aims to support livelihood enhancement and promote biodiversity conservation at the grassroots level.
The NBA has introduced simplified and transparent procedures to ensure compliance with the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The seed sector has notably emerged as a significant contributor under the ABS framework, with the NBA emphasizing compliance and active participation in biodiversity conservation efforts.
In the current financial year 2025-26, the NBA has realized a sum of Rs 3.42 crore from the seed sector alone. The cumulative ABS amount collected by the NBA has now exceeded Rs 266 crore, with a substantial portion coming from the seed sector. The NBA continues to play a crucial role in fulfilling India’s commitments under international biodiversity agreements and contributing to national biodiversity targets.
