NBA Realises Rs 21.26 Crore via ABS in FY 2025‑26 – Boost for Biodiversity Conservation

<p><strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> reports that the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Biodiversity Authority — statutory body under MoEFCC that implements the Biological Diversity Act and oversees benefit sharing from biological resources (GS3: Environment)">National Biodiversity Authority</span> (NBA) realised <strong>Rs 21.26 crore</strong> in FY 2025‑26 through the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Access and Benefit Sharing — mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act that ensures fair sharing of benefits from use of biological resources with local communities (GS3: Environment)">Access and Benefit Sharing</span> (ABS) mechanism.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>The <strong>Seed sector</strong> contributed the largest share – <strong>Rs 11.75 crore</strong>.</li> <li>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="AYUSH — Indian system of traditional medicine encompassing Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (GS1: Health, GS3: Society)">AYUSH</span> sector contributed <strong>Rs 5.56 crore</strong>.</li> <li>Other sectors – Nutraceuticals (<strong>Rs 1.40 crore</strong>), Pharmaceuticals (<strong>Rs 1.18 crore</strong>) and various biotech, cosmetics, chemical, bio‑fuel and food & beverage firms – added to the total.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <ul> <li>Major seed contributors: Nunhems India Pvt. Ltd., East West Seeds India Pvt. Ltd., Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Nongwoo Seed India Pvt. Ltd., BASF India Pvt. Ltd.</li> <li>AYUSH contributors: Himalaya Wellness Company, Organic India Pvt. Ltd., Natural Remedies.</li> <li>About 300 biological resources were used, including maize, rice, turmeric, amla, mustard, bitter gourd, kalmegh, cardamom, tulsi, guggal gum, neem leaves, garcinia, ashwagandha, pepper and clove.</li> <li>Since inception, NBA has collected <strong>Rs 266 crore</strong> in ABS funds; <strong>Rs 145 crore</strong> has already been transferred to beneficiaries across India.</li> </ul> <h3>UPS​C Relevance</h3> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Biological Diversity Act — 2002 legislation that provides a legal framework for conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use and benefit sharing (GS3: Environment)">Biological Diversity Act</span> created the ABS framework, aligning India with the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Convention on Biological Diversity — global agreement adopted in 1992 to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use and ensure fair benefit sharing (GS3: Environment)">Convention on Biological Diversity</span> and the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nagoya Protocol — international treaty under the Convention on Biological Diversity that sets rules for access to genetic resources and fair benefit sharing (GS3: Environment)">Nagoya Protocol</span>. The funds support <span class="key-term" data-definition="Biodiversity Management Committees — local bodies formed under the Biological Diversity Act to represent communities and manage benefit sharing (GS3: Environment)">Biodiversity Management Committees</span>, farmers and traditional knowledge holders, thereby linking environmental conservation with rural livelihoods – a frequent GS3 topic.</p> <p>For the economy, the inflow of <strong>Rs 21.26 crore</strong> demonstrates how industry participation can generate revenue while complying with environmental norms, illustrating the “green growth” paradigm in GS3.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <ul> <li>Strengthen monitoring of ABS compliance to ensure transparent benefit flow to local communities.</li> <li>Encourage more sectors to register under ABS, especially emerging biotech and renewable‑energy firms.</li> <li>Channel the disbursed funds into capacity‑building for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Biodiversity Management Committees — local bodies formed under the Biological Diversity Act to represent communities and manage benefit sharing (GS3: Environment)">BMCs</span>, habitat restoration and climate‑resilient agriculture.</li> <li>Align future ABS targets with the <strong>National Biodiversity Strategy and Action 2024‑2030</strong> and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.</li> </ul>