New Delhi [India], January 29 (ANI): The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) continues to advance India's commitment to the sustainable use of biological resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation.

In furtherance of its mandate under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, the NBA has disbursed Rs 17 lakh to the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra, through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board.

The disbursement stems from the successful commercial utilisation of soil micro-organisms belonging to the Bacillus genus. These micro-organisms have been utilised for the development of value-added probiotic products, reflecting an effective linkage between biodiversity conservation and modern biotechnology.

The benefit-sharing arrangement ensures that a portion of the commercial gains derived from biological resources is channelled back to local communities, thereby supporting community-level development initiatives.

The NBA has noted a growing trend in the biotechnology sector, in which microorganisms are emerging as a critical foundation for industrial innovation. The biotechnology sector has contributed approximately Rs 10 crore to the accrued ABS fund, underscoring the significant role of microbial resources in healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications.

Maharashtra continues to be the second major beneficiary State in ABS releases, next only to Andhra Pradesh. The State has received the highest share of ABS disbursements, excluding benefit-sharing amounts released from the access to Red Sanders wood. With the present release, the total ABS support extended to Maharashtra has reached nearly Rs 8 crore, benefiting over 200 Biodiversity Management Committees and seven institutions across the State.

Cumulative ABS disbursements at the national level have crossed the significant milestone of Rs 144.37 crore (approximately USD 16 million). This achievement reflects the effective implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and advances India's commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Targets 13 and 19.

The outcomes also align with India's National Biodiversity Targets 13 and 19, which emphasise the sustainable use of biological resources and equitable benefit sharing with local communities, empowerment of Biodiversity Management Committees, and enhancement of livelihood security.

The ABS framework further contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals. (ANI)