NBA Collects Rs 9.68 Crore Under Access and Benefit Sharing Framework in H1 FY27
- Total receipts: Rs 9.68 crore
- Top sector: Agri-seeds with Rs 7.16 crore
- Period covered: April to September 2026
- Cumulative ABS collections: Rs 278 crore
Commercial users of India's biological resources deposited Rs 9.68 crore with the National Biodiversity Authority between April and September 2026. The collections, executed under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, as amended in 2023, reflect ongoing statutory compliance across commercial agriculture, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
The agri-seed industry accounted for the vast majority of payments, remitting Rs 7.16 crore. Food and beverage firms paid Rs 1.59 crore, while animal husbandry accounted for Rs 62.01 lakh. Notable corporate contributors included East West Seeds India, Nunhems India, and Synergia Life Science, with cross-border payments originating from commercial entities in Germany, France, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.
Utilised resources spanned major food crops like pulses, medicinal herbs such as Ashwagandha and Shatavari, soil microorganisms, livestock genetic material, and Red Sanders wood. The framework mandates that commercial users share revenue when utilizing domestic biological diversity or traditional knowledge for research and product development.
Since 2008, the statutory authority has realised Rs 278 crore through Access and Benefit Sharing, disbursing over Rs 200 crore to grassroots stakeholders. The funds flow down through State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils to maintain People's Biodiversity Registers, empower local Biodiversity Management Committees, and fund direct community conservation projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework in India?
The ABS framework is a statutory mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act requiring commercial users of biological resources to share monetary and non-monetary benefits with local communities and conservation bodies.
Which sector contributed the most ABS revenue in H1 FY27?
The agriculture and seed sector was the highest contributor, accounting for Rs 7.16 crore out of the total Rs 9.68 crore collected between April and September 2026.
How are ABS revenues utilized by the National Biodiversity Authority?
Collected funds are disbursed via State Biodiversity Boards to support community welfare, conservation initiatives, People's Biodiversity Registers, and local Biodiversity Management Committees.
Source
PIB Press Release ID 2320995, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · 2026-10-08
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