The National Biodiversity Authority’s commitment to the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mandate has resulted in the latest disbursement of Rs 68 lakh to Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in Wada Tehsil of Palghar district and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra. 

This disbursement stems from the access and commercial utilisation of soil microorganisms, specifically bacteria from the Bacillus genus, which were harnessed for developing innovative probiotic products. It exemplifies the effective implementation of the ABS framework, ensuring that benefits derived from India's rich microbial biodiversity are shared fairly and equitably with local communities and custodians of these resources.

Notably, around 15 percent of ABS applications involve microorganisms, underscoring their potential in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and biotechnology. The mechanism not only channels benefits to farmers, local communities, BMCs and other stakeholders but also encourages the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.

This milestone represents an ‘invisible to visible’ narrative, illustrating corporate contribution to communities through the ABS framework. To date, the NBA has released approximately Rs 8 crore to 200+ BMCs and seven institutions across Maharashtra alone.

With this most recent disbursement, India’s cumulative ABS releases have surpassed Rs 144.20 crore (approx. USD 16 million). This achievement underscores the nation’s leadership in developing a robust and inclusive biological diversity framework that balances economic growth with ecological responsibility.

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VM/GS/SK