National Biodiversity Authority releases ₹1.36 Crore to empower Grassroots Level Conservation of Biodiversity

(Forelines) – The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹1.36 crore to distribute the benefits of commercial use to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, demonstrating its strong commitment to fair and equitable benefit sharing, conservation, and sustainable use of biodiversity, Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said in statement.

Three Biodiversity Management Committees—Kasganj area, Etah District, Uttar Pradesh; Sakharwadi village, Phaltan Taluk, Satara District, Maharashtra; and Kunjirwadi village, Haveli Taluk, Pune—will receive this sizeable financial infusion from the State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. A total of Rs. 45.50 lakhs will be given to each BMC in such regions. The Government’s steadfast adherence to the values of sustainability, equality, and conservation is demonstrated by this move, added in a statement.

Following a commercial entity’s access to microorganisms from soil and industrial effluent samples for the production of fructo-oligosaccharide products, the released amount constitutes a tangible Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) payment.

The Biological Diversity Act of 2002’s Section 44 and the applicable State Biodiversity Rules specify the activities for which these funds are intended.

This funding plan demonstrates the NBA’s proactive approach to honoring and compensating local communities, who are crucial stewards of India’s abundant biological legacy.

The NBA enhances India’s concept for an inclusive governance framework where community prosperity and conservation coexist by redistributing accumulated advantages to the local level.

In accordance with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was agreed at the CoP-15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), it also satisfies National Biodiversity Target-13 of India’s revised NBSAP 2024-2030.