NBA Disburses Rs 17 Lakh To BMC Mumbai Under Access and Benefit Sharing Framework

New Delhi, Jan 29 (KNN) The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed Rs 17 lakh to the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra, under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework. 

The amount was released through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board as part of the NBA’s mandate to ensure sustainable use of biological resources and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their commercial utilisation.

The disbursement is linked to the commercial use of soil micro-organisms belonging to the Bacillus genus, which have been utilised in the development of value-added probiotic products. 

Under the ABS mechanism, a share of the commercial benefits generated from the use of such biological resources is returned to local communities, supporting community-level development and conservation efforts.

The NBA noted that micro-organisms are increasingly emerging as a key driver of innovation within the biotechnology sector. The sector has contributed around Rs 10 crore to the national ABS fund, reflecting the growing role of microbial resources in healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications.

Maharashtra continues to be among the leading beneficiary states under the ABS framework, ranking second after Andhra Pradesh. Excluding benefit-sharing from Red Sanders wood, Maharashtra has received the highest share of ABS disbursements. 

With the latest release, total ABS support to the state has reached nearly Rs 8 crore, benefiting more than 200 Biodiversity Management Committees and seven institutions.

At the national level, cumulative ABS disbursements have crossed Rs 144.37 crore, or approximately USD 16 million. The NBA said this milestone underscores the effective implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and supports India’s commitments under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Targets 13 and 19.

The outcomes are also aligned with India’s National Biodiversity Targets, which focus on sustainable use of biological resources, equitable benefit sharing, empowerment of Biodiversity Management Committees, and strengthening livelihood security. 

The ABS framework further contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing India’s role in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol through an integrated approach to conservation and inclusive development.

(KNN Bureau)