India's Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Framework Mobilizes Over ₹266 Crore Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002

India's Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Framework, implemented under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, has mobilized more than ₹266 crore and is expected to distribute around ₹145 crore to local communities and biodiversity custodians. The framework promotes the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources, while supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

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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.

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.

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.