National Biodiversity Authority Crosses ₹200-Crore Milestone in ABS Disbursement
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has crossed a ₹200-crore milestone in cumulative Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) disbursements. It recently sanctioned ₹8.23 crore to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 UT Biodiversity Councils using funds realized from seed companies for accessing biological resources like Bitter Gourd, Okra, Chilli, and Onion. The funds are distributed to states based on cultivation area, with Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra emerging as the largest cumulative recipients.
Why It Matters
This is relevant for competitive exams covering Indian environmental governance, biodiversity acts, and sustainable development initiatives under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
In Simple Words
The National Biodiversity Authority has crossed ₹200 crore in total Access and Benefit-Sharing disbursements. Recently, it sanctioned ₹8.23 crore to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 UT Councils. This money came from seed companies that used biological resources such as bitter gourd, okra, chilli, and onion for research and commercial purposes.
Because the exact source farmers could not be traced, funds are distributed to states based on their crop cultivation area using Ministry of Agriculture data. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra received the largest shares. States must use these funds for biodiversity conservation, documentation via People's Biodiversity Registers, and enhancing community livelihoods under the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
Key Points
- Cumulative NBA ABS disbursements have exceeded ₹200 crore.
- Recently sanctioned ABS proceeds amount to ₹8.23 crore.
- Funds were distributed to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 UT Biodiversity Councils.
- Crops involved include Bitter Gourd, Okra, Chilli, and Onion.
- Companies involved include M/s Nunhems India, M/s East West Seeds, and M/s Bayer Science and Innovation.
- Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the largest cumulative recipients across the four crops.
- Maharashtra accounts for more than 49 per cent of India's Onion cultivation area.
- Funds must be used for activities under Section 32(2) of the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
Exam Angle
A. Cumulative ABS disbursements exceeding ₹200 crore.
Source: Press Information Bureau