changeadminIn a strong demonstration of its commitment to fair and equitable sharing of benefits and conservation of biodiversity, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹13.6 million (₹1.36 crore), channelling the benefits of commercial use to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
This significant financial injection will be delivered through the State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees, viz., Sakharwadi village, Phaltan Taluk, Satara District, Maharashtra; Kunjirwadi village, Haveli Taluk, Pune; and Kasganj area, Etah District, Uttar Pradesh.
Each BMC in those areas will receive ₹4.55 million (₹45.50 lakhs). This action underscores the Government’s unwavering commitment to the principles of equity, sustainability, and conservation.
The released amount represents a tangible Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) payment after a commercial entity accessed microorganisms from soil and industrial effluent samples for producing Fructo-oligosaccharides products.
These funds are slated for activities outlined under Section 44 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 and relevant State Biodiversity Rules.
Earlier this week, the National Biodiversity Authority released ₹6.7 million (₹67 lakhs) to the Dapur Biodiversity Management Committee in Sinnar Taluk, Nashik District, through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board.
This financial strategy highlights the NBA’s proactive role in recognising and rewarding local communities, which serve as the essential custodians of India’s rich biological heritage.
By pushing accrued benefits back to the regional level, the NBA strengthens India’s inclusive governance framework, in which conservation and community prosperity advance together.
It also fulfils the National Biodiversity Target 13 of India’s updated NBSAP 2024-2030, which aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the CoP-15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
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