National Biodiversity Authority
Prelims:
Environment & Biodiversity
Mains:
GS Paper III-Environment
Current relevance:
The National
Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹8.22 crore to research
institutions and 33 State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory
Biodiversity Councils under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)
mechanism for the commercial utilisation of Indian rice varieties.
Highlights:
1.
The NBA
released ₹8.22 crore, marking one of the largest single ABS
disbursements for rice, from benefits arising out of the commercial use of
Indian rice varieties.
2. The amount was received from M/s Pioneer
Overseas Corporation, an international seed company, for using Indian
rice (Oryza sativa) varieties to develop and commercialise hybrid seeds.
3. Objectives:
The initiative reflects India's commitment to
ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the
utilisation of the country's biological resources.
4. Distribution of
Funds:
i.
Research
institutions that conserved and shared Indian rice varieties received financial
assistance to strengthen germplasm conservation, seed collection
maintenance, research, and training.
ii.
State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory
Biodiversity Councils received allocations based on their rice-growing
area to support biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration,
protection of native crop diversity, documentation of traditional knowledge,
and assistance to local farmers and knowledge holders.
5. International and SDG Linkages:
i.
The initiative
contributes to Target 13 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework, promoting fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from
the utilisation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
ii.
It also supports Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs):
SDG 2 – Zero
Hunger
SDG 12 –
Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 15 – Life on
Land
SDG 17 –
Partnerships for the Goals
6. About National Biodiversity Authority (NBA):
i.
It is a statutory body established under the Biological
Diversity Act, 2002, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEFCC).
ii.
It regulates access
to India's biological resources and associated traditional knowledge and
implements the Nagoya Protocol's principle of fair and equitable
benefit-sharing.
Source: PIB - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2293326®=48&lang=1