In a move to recognize local communities as key protectors of India's biological diversity, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has shared monetary benefits with communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The funds, generated from the commercial use of bio-resources, aim to support conservation efforts at the local level.
The NBA disbursed ₹1.36 crore to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh through the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism. This disbursement reaffirms India's commitment to equitable benefit sharing, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable utilization of biological resources, as outlined in the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The distributed funds are a direct result of ABS obligations arising from the commercial utilization of microorganisms. These microorganisms, accessed from soil and industrial effluent samples in both states, were used to produce fructo-oligosaccharides, prebiotics known to promote gut health and used in food and pharmaceutical applications. Under the ABS mechanism, businesses utilizing bio-resources are obligated to share a portion of their monetary gains with the communities that conserve and manage these resources.
The beneficiaries of this round of benefit-sharing include: * Sakharwadi village, Phaltan Taluk, Satara District, Maharashtra * Kunjirwadi village, Haveli Taluk, Pune District, Maharashtra * Kasganj area, Etah District, Uttar Pradesh
Each Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) representing these regions will receive ₹45.5 lakh through their respective State Biodiversity Boards. These funds are specifically earmarked for community-level conservation initiatives and promoting the sustainable use of bio-resources, aligning with Section 44 of the Biological Diversity Act and relevant State Biodiversity Rules.
These funds must be used for activities such as:
- Promoting in-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity
- Organizing biodiversity awareness campaigns and capacity building programs
- Supporting sustainable livelihoods based on local bio-resources
- Creating biodiversity registers and documentation systems
- Setting up infrastructure for local conservation (such as nurseries, seed banks, etc.)
The NBA's initiative aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada, in 2022. This framework emphasizes access and benefit-sharing from the utilization of genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and digital sequence information. This action also contributes to National Biodiversity Target–13 under India's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024–2030.
By channeling accrued benefits back to the local level, the NBA strengthens India's model for an inclusive governance framework where conservation and community prosperity advance together. This localized model of benefit sharing positions India as a global leader in implementing ABS in accordance with international biodiversity standards. It marks a turning point in incentivizing conservation and showcases the Government of India's intent to balance ecological preservation with community development.
This disbursement is not merely a financial transaction but a strategic empowerment of local governance structures involved in biodiversity protection. Biodiversity Management Committees, comprising members from gram panchayats and urban local bodies, serve as grassroots custodians of bio-resources in their areas. By rewarding their role in bio-resource stewardship, the government is reinforcing a bottom-up model of biodiversity governance.
