Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) has become a flagship programme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Since its operationalisation in 2008, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has mobilised over Rs 266 crore and disbursed about Rs 145 crore to beneficiaries in FY 2025‑26.
Key Developments (FY 2025‑26)
- Realisation of Rs 21.26 crore in the current financial year, raising the cumulative collection to Rs 266 crore.
- Disbursement of Rs 78 crore to beneficiaries, reaching more than 10,500 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) across 23 states and 4 Union Territories.
- Beneficiaries include over 230 farmers, six State Forest Departments and several research institutions, with six Red Sanders projects receiving support.
- Sector‑wise contribution: Red Sanders (45 %), seed sector (32.3 %), and pharmaceuticals/AYUSH (13.8 %) together account for ~91 % of total ABS realisation.
Important Facts
The ABS mechanism channels benefits from diverse resources – Red Sanders, medicinal and aromatic plants, seeds, livestock genetics, crude herbs, biochemical components and microorganisms. Major corporate contributors include Pioneer Overseas Corporation, TATA Chemicals, Syngenta, Himalaya Wellness, Dabur India, L'Oréal India and Indian Oil Corporation.
Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, 85‑90 % of the ABS amount is transferred to State Biodiversity Boards for onward distribution, as per the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024.
At the grassroots level, ABS funds are used for habitat restoration, updating People’s Biodiversity Registers, documenting traditional knowledge, establishing medicinal plant parks, community gene banks, capacity‑building programmes and livelihood initiatives for tribal and rural communities.
Exam Relevance
Understanding ABS is essential for GS 3 (Environment) as it links biodiversity conservation with economic incentives, aligns with the Nagoya Protocol, and supports India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024‑2030. It also contributes to the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Target 13) and several Sustainable Development Goals such as poverty reduction, decent work, responsible consumption and climate action.
Way Forward
- Strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure timely transfer of the 85‑90 % share to State Boards.
- Expand beneficiary outreach to include more farmers and traditional knowledge holders, especially in under‑represented states.
- Promote research and commercialisation of lesser‑known bio‑resources to diversify revenue streams.
- Integrate ABS proceeds with broader climate‑resilience programmes to maximise socio‑economic impact.
With sustained collections and transparent disbursements, India’s ABS framework can continue to serve as a global model for converting biodiversity use into tangible benefits for both people and nature.