The National Biodiversity Authority has released Rs 1.04 million (Rs 1.04 mn) under the Access and Benefit Sharing framework to beneficiaries across the country. The funds will benefit Biodiversity Management Committees across 24 districts spanning nine states and one Union Territory, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Meghalaya, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana. A single farmer operating a dairy farm in Haryana received an allocation recognising provision of the Murrah Buffalo breed.

The ABS funds were generated through commercial utilisation of several biological resources that support the growth of India’s bio-economic sector. These resources include microorganisms such as beneficial bacteria used in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, marine microalgae applied in nutraceuticals and sustainable bio-products, and seaweed increasingly used in agriculture, cosmetics and food industries. The release underlines that a portion of benefits arising from commercial use is shared with local communities that conserve the resources.

Accessed bioresources listed in the disbursement include holy basil leaves, drumstick seeds, neem seeds, soapnut seeds, rosemary leaves, ashwagandha roots, mushroom-derived chitosan and Pacific white shrimp, illustrating how biodiversity contributes to scientific innovation, industry development and rural livelihoods. The mechanism creates direct economic incentives for conservation while promoting sustainable use of natural resources. Administration of the scheme by the authority aims to ensure transparency and equitable benefit distribution.

Cumulative ABS disbursements at national level have crossed Rs 1,450 million (Rs 1.45 bn), demonstrating the growing impact of India’s biodiversity governance framework. The National Biodiversity Authority continues to implement India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol and to contribute to national biodiversity targets and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The approach is expected to strengthen stewardship across diverse ecological landscapes and urban local bodies.