The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed Rs 17 lakh to the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework. This disbursement follows the successful commercial utilization of soil micro-organisms from the Bacillus genus, as per an official statement from the Environment Ministry.
These micro-organisms have been used to create value-added probiotic products, showcasing a strong connection between biodiversity conservation and modern biotechnology. The ABS arrangement ensures that a portion of the profits made from biological resources goes back to local communities, supporting community-level development initiatives.
The biotechnology sector is increasingly relying on microorganisms for industrial innovation, with contributions of around Rs 10 crore to the ABS fund. Maharashtra stands as the second major beneficiary State in ABS releases, following Andhra Pradesh, with nearly Rs 8 crore in ABS support provided to the State, benefiting numerous Biodiversity Management Committees and institutions.
The cumulative ABS disbursements at the national level have exceeded Rs 144.37 crore, marking a significant milestone. This progress underscores the effective implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and reinforces India’s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly focusing on Targets 13 and 19.
The outcomes align with India’s National Biodiversity Targets 13 and 19, emphasizing sustainable biological resource use, equitable benefit sharing with local communities, and empowering Biodiversity Management Committees for enhanced livelihood security. The ABS framework also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing India’s leadership in global biodiversity conservation efforts.
