Biodiversity Pays Back: India's ABS Framework Delivers Rs 145 Crore to Beneficiaries

📌 Summary:

• India's Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 has mobilised over Rs 266 crore and disbursed around Rs 145 crore to beneficiaries
• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has realised over Rs 266 crore through the ABS mechanism since 2008, including Rs 21.26 crore in FY 2025-26 (average annual realisation Rs 14.75 crore)
• Benefits have reached over 10,500 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) across 23 States and 4 UTs, plus 230+ farmers, six State Forest Departments and various institutions; six Red Sanders research projects supported
• Sector-wise: Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) accounted for the largest share at Rs 120 crore (45%), seed sector Rs 84.61 crore (32.3%), pharmaceuticals/AYUSH Rs 36.61 crore (13.8%) — together ~91%
• Under the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, NBA transfers 85-90% of the ABS amount to State Biodiversity Boards for onward disbursal
• Local ABS funds are used for habitat restoration, People's Biodiversity Registers, traditional-knowledge documentation, medicinal plant parks, community gene banks and tribal livelihood initiatives

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Conservation, equitable benefit-sharing, protection of traditional knowledge and biodiversity governance; links to the Nagoya Protocol and CBD.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• ABS operates under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, administered by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
• BMCs maintain People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs)
• Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is the largest ABS revenue source

🔑 Key Term: Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) — the principle that benefits from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge are shared fairly and equitably with local communities and custodians.