The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has transferred Rs 15.52 crore of ABS proceeds generated from ten commercial mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrids developed by Pioneer Overseas Corporation. The money will be shared among 26 State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and 3 Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) based on the area under mustard cultivation in each region.
Key Developments
- NBA released Rs 15.52 crore in ABS proceeds from mustard hybrids.
- Distribution is calculated using cultivation‑area data from ICAR‑IIRMR, Rajasthan.
- Rajasthan, with ~42 % of national mustard area, receives the largest share (Rs 6.43 crore).
- All 26 SBBs and 3 UTBCs must spend the funds as per Biological Diversity Act Section 32.
- The release aligns with the Nagoya Protocol and Target 13 of the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Important Facts
The top ten ABS‑receiving states are:
- Rajasthan – Rs 6.43 crore
- Uttar Pradesh – Rs 2.28 crore
- Madhya Pradesh – Rs 1.86 crore
- Haryana – Rs 1.21 crore
- West Bengal – Rs 1.10 crore
- Jharkhand – Rs 0.73 crore
- Assam – Rs 0.53 crore
- Gujarat – Rs 0.48 crore
- Bihar – Rs 0.15 crore
- Punjab – Rs 0.08 crore
- Other states & UTs – Rs 0.67 crore
Since its inception, NBA has released a total of Rs 182.5 crore in ABS benefits, with Rs 116.22 crore disbursed in the last twelve months.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the ABS mechanism is essential for GS III (Environment & Biodiversity) as it illustrates how India complies with international treaties while channeling benefits to local conservation. The role of SBBs and UTBCs showcases federal‑state cooperation, a recurring theme in Polity (GS II). Moreover, the linkage to the Kunming‑Montreal Framework and the Nagoya Protocol reflects India’s commitment to global environmental governance.
Way Forward
States must now translate the funds into concrete actions: updating People’s Biodiversity Registers, strengthening Biodiversity Heritage Sites, and enhancing the capacity of Biodiversity Management Committees. Continuous monitoring will ensure that the financial inflow leads to measurable improvements in in‑situ and ex‑situ conservation, restoration of degraded lands, and livelihood upliftment of farming communities dependent on mustard cultivation.