The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released Rs 18.3 lakh to Biodiversity Management Committees in Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim.
This is the Access and Benefit Sharing amount operating under the framework of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Advertisement
“The funds were seamlessly transferred through the respective State Biodiversity Boards directly to two BMCs namely Narrau village Biodiversity Management Committee, located in Akrabad Kaul Taluk, Aligarh District, Uttar Pradesh and Biodiversity Management Committee in the Lampokhari Lake Area, Aritar, Sikkim,” the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said on Saturday.
Advertisement
A company accessed crop materials within the Narrau village for producing fermentable compounds from lignocellulosic biomass. Another company accessed microorganisms from water and soil samples collected in the Lampokhari Lake area for research purpose.
By channeling these funds, the NBA is empowering these local custodians to lead a role in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of their resources.
“In a strong demonstration of its commitment to fair and equitable sharing of benefits and conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the NBA has released Rs 1.36 crore, channelling the benefits of commercial use to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh,” the Ministry said on Friday.
This significant financial injection will be delivered through State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees viz., Sakharwadi village, Phaltan Taluka, Satara District, Maharashtra, Kunjirwadi village, Haveli Taluk, Pune and Kasganj area, Etah District, Uttar Pradesh.
Each BMCs in those areas will receive an amount of Rs.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.
This financial strategy highlights the NBA’s proactive role in recognizing and rewarding local communities who stand as the essential custodians of India’s rich biological heritage.
By pushing accrued benefits back to the local level, the NBA strengthens India’s model for an inclusive governance framework where conservation and community prosperity advance together.
It also fulfils the National Biodiversity Target – 13 of India’s updated NBSAP 2024-2030, which aligns with Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the CoP-15 of UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Advertisement