NBA Disburses Rs 3.79 crore ABS Funds to 33 States/UTs and Institutes – Boost to Biodiversity Conservation

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released nearly Rs 3.79 crore under the ABS scheme to 33 SBBs and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, as well as to ICAR‑NBPGR and a cattle‑semen research centre. The money comes from companies that accessed Indian vegetable, oilseed and animal genetic resources for research and commercial use. Key Developments Funds cover a wide range of agrobiodiversity: tomato, chilli, brinjal, cauliflower, watermelon, bitter‑gourd, bottle‑gourd, okra, mustard and frozen Sahiwal cattle semen. Companies involved: Bayer Science and Innovation Pvt. Ltd. , HM Clause India Pvt. Ltd. and Advanta Enterprises Ltd. . An additional amount came from the Sri Lankan Department of Animal Production and Health . Disbursement is proportional to the cultivated area of each crop, using data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The largest state beneficiaries are Madhya Pradesh (Rs 46.93 lakh), West Bengal (Rs 44.76 lakh) and Odisha (Rs 44.08 lakh). Important Facts ABS amounts per crop range from Rs 0.57 lakh (mustard) to Rs 86.56 lakh (tomato). Overall cumulative ABS disbursements by NBA have crossed Rs 166 crore . Funds must be used for updating People's Biodiversity Registers , in‑situ and ex‑situ conservation, strengthening Biodiversity Heritage Sites, capacity building of Biodiversity Management Committees, and livelihood programmes. UPSC Relevance The release illustrates the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the Nagoya Protocol . It also aligns with the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework , especially Target 13 (fair benefit‑sharing) and Target 4 (genetic diversity). The initiative contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships). Understanding these linkages helps answer GS‑III questions on environmental governance, international agreements and sustainable development. Way Forward States should ensure transparent utilisation of funds for community‑based conservation and capacity building. Strengthen monitoring mechanisms to track benefit‑sharing outcomes and report to NBA. Promote awareness among farmers and local innovators about ABS provisions to encourage participation. Integrate ABS revenues into broader climate‑resilient agriculture and biodiversity strategies.