The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), in a series of important steps towards empowering local communities and promoting fair and equitable benefit sharing, has released ₹5.34 crore to around 85 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC). These BMCs fall under various Nagar and Gram Panchayats in Wada Tehsil, Palghar District, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation of Maharashtra. The funds will be disbursed through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board.

This release follows a case in which a company accessed soil microorganisms - bacteria of the Bacillus genus - and used them to develop probiotic products. Notably, around 15% of the ABS applications are for accessing microorganisms, underscoring an important fact - ‘micro’ organisms can generate ‘macro’ benefits for farmers, local communities, BMCs and other stakeholders.

The initiative reinforces NBA’s commitment to ensuring that the local communities, the true custodians of biodiversity, receive recognition and fair and equitable benefits. By doing so, the National Biodiversity Authority continues to support India’s vision of a sustainable and inclusive biodiversity management where conservation efforts directly contribute to the community’s prosperity and well-being.

Prior to this, the NBA had released more than ₹2.56 crore to 108 BMCs and 7 institutions in Maharashtra. The current disbursement of ₹5.34 crore adds substantially to this progress. With this release, India’s total Access and Benefit Sharing disbursements have crossed an impressive amount of ₹116 crores. India is a pioneer in the World for the effective implementation of the ABS mechanism.

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