New Delhi, Oct 24 (NationPress) In a significant step towards encouraging fair and equitable benefit-sharing along with the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has allocated Rs 1.36 crore to support local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, as confirmed by an official on Friday.

This important financial aid will be distributed through the State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) — Sakharwadi village, Phaltan Taluk, Satara District (Maharashtra); Kunjirwadi village, Haveli Taluk, Pune (Maharashtra); and the Kasganj area, Etah District (Uttar Pradesh), according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Each BMC is set to receive Rs 45.50 lakh. This initiative reflects the government's steadfast commitment to the principles of equity, sustainability, and conservation.

The funds released serve as a concrete Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) payment following the commercial use of microorganisms derived from soil and industrial effluent samples to produce fructo-oligosaccharide products. These funds will be allocated for activities specified under Section 44 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and relevant State Biodiversity Rules, as mentioned in the statement.

This financial initiative emphasizes the NBA’s proactive role in recognizing and rewarding local communities acting as custodians of India’s rich biological heritage.

“By redirecting accrued benefits back to the local level, the NBA fortifies India’s model for an inclusive governance framework where conservation and community prosperity progress hand in hand,” the statement elaborated.

Additionally, it meets the National Biodiversity Target 13 outlined in India’s updated NBSAP (2024–2030), which aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at CoP-15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), as noted in the statement.

Founded in 2003 to enforce the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is an autonomous statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Located in Chennai, it serves as a facilitating, regulating, and advisory body to the Central government on matters concerning the conservation and sustainable utilization of biological resources, as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.

Moreover, the NBA offers guidance to state governments in identifying areas of significant biodiversity (biodiversity hotspots) for designation as heritage sites.