SYLLABUS

GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

Context: India’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, has mobilized over ₹266 crore and disbursed around ₹145 crore to local communities and biodiversity custodians, reinforcing equitable benefit sharing from the utilization of biological resources.

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• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has realized more than ₹266 crore through the ABS mechanism since 2008, including ₹21.26 crore during FY 2025-26. 

• Around ₹145 crore has been disbursed to beneficiaries, of which ₹78 crore was distributed during FY 2025-26. 

• Benefits have reached over 10,500 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) across 23 States and 4 Union Territories, more than 230 farmers, six State Forest Departments and various institutions. 

• ABS funds have also supported six Red Sanders research projects. 

• Sector-wise contribution to ABS realization: 

• Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) – ₹120 crore (45%) 
• Seed Sector – ₹84.61 crore (32.3%) 
• Pharmaceuticals & AYUSH – ₹36.61 crore (13.8%) 

• Together, these sectors account for nearly 91% of total ABS collections. 

• Under the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, 85–90% of the ABS amount is transferred by the NBA to State Biodiversity Boards for distribution to beneficiaries.

About Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

• Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is a mechanism that ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. 

• It links biodiversity conservation with socio-economic benefits for local communities, farmers, traditional knowledge holders and biodiversity custodians. 

• Benefits may be monetary (royalties, fees, compensation) or non-monetary (technology transfer, capacity building, joint research and intellectual property rights sharing). 

• ABS promotes: 

• Conservation of biodiversity 
• Sustainable use of biological resources 
• Livelihood enhancement of local communities 
• Recognition of traditional knowledge systems 

• The framework is based on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) for accessing biological resources. 

About the Biological Diversity Act, 2002

• The Biological Diversity Act, 2002, was enacted to implement India's obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992). 

• It regulates: 

• Access to biological resources. 
• Associated traditional knowledge. 
• Transfer of research results. 
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) based on biological resources. 
• Equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization. 

• The Act seeks to achieve three key objectives: 

• Conservation of biological diversity. 
• Sustainable use of its components. 
• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from biological resources. 

• It provides for the creation of the National Biodiversity Fund, State Biodiversity Funds and Local Biodiversity Funds.

Global and National Frameworks Supported by India's ABS Mechanism

• Convention on Biological Diversity (1992).

• The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing was adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2014.

• National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024–2030. 

• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 13 on fair and equitable benefit sharing. 

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially: 

• o SDG 1 (No Poverty) 
• o SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) 
• o SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) 
• o SDG 13 (Climate Action) 
• o SDG 15 (Life on Land)