NBA releases Rs 2.82 crore to states and ICAR institute under biodiversity benefit-sharing mechanism

New Delhi: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released Rs 2.82 crore under the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism to support biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and community livelihoods. Of the total amount, Rs 2.80 crore has been released to 27 State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and three Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs). Another Rs 2.01 lakh is being released to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR), Karnataka. Funds Linked to Horticultural Genetic Resources The NBA received Rs 2.94 crore from Advanta Enterprises Ltd., formerly UPL Limited, as ABS payments linked to the utilisation of genetic resources associated with several horticultural hybrids. These include eight cauliflower hybrids, five hot pepper hybrids, five okra hybrids and six tomato hybrids. Since the biological resources could not be traced to specific farmers, communities or a single identifiable geographic source, the NBA constituted an Expert Committee to recommend an appropriate mechanism for sharing the benefit. Based on the approved mechanism, Rs 2.80 crore has been distributed among states and UTs, taking into account the cultivation of the concerned horticultural crops. Gujarat Gets Highest Share Gujarat received the largest allocation at Rs 44.59 lakh, followed by West Bengal with Rs 41.24 lakh and Madhya Pradesh with...