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India’s ABS Framework Under Biological Diversity Act, 2002
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) surpasses ₹200 crore in cumulative disbursements under India’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework. The update relates to benefit-sharing from research and commercial utilization of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
India’s Access and Benefit-Sharing Framework:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| ABS Concept | Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) provides for fair and equitable sharing of benefits when biological resources or associated traditional knowledge are accessed and utilized for commercial or research purposes. |
| Biopiracy | Biopiracy comprises unauthorized appropriation or commercial exploitation of biological resources or associated traditional knowledge without proper recognition or equitable benefit-sharing. |
| Recent ABS Proceeds | The most recent ABS proceeds result from research and commercial utilization of four crops: bitter gourd, okra, chilli, and onion. |
| Seed Companies | The proceeds are obtained from seed companies such as Nunhems India, East-West Seeds India, and Bayer Science and Innovation. |
| Allocation of Funds | State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory (UT) Biodiversity Councils must allocate funds for activities specified under Section 32(2) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. |
| Primary Areas of Fund Utilisation | Funds must be allocated for: development and maintenance of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs); conservation initiatives comprising in-situ and ex-situ measures; ecosystem restoration of degraded ecosystems; strengthening and conservation of biodiversity heritage sites; capacity-building for Biodiversity Management Committee members; and improving livelihood opportunities for local communities. |
| International Linkages | India’s ABS framework is aligned with three international agreements: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Nagoya Protocol, and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). |
| CBD | The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) serves as a global framework for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and provides for fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the utilization of genetic resources. |
| Nagoya Protocol | The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the CBD and specifically addresses access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits resulting from their utilization. |
| Kunming-Montreal GBF Target | Under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), Target 13 is relevant to equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. |