NBA Releases ₹1.36 Crore for Grassroots Biodiversity Conservation
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed ₹1.36 crore to support local biodiversity conservation efforts in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. This funding aims to strengthen grassroots initiatives under India’s biodiversity legal framework.
Key Takeaways
- ₹1.36 crore allocated to three Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)
- Each BMC receives ₹45.50 lakh for conservation work
- Funds come from Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) payments by commercial companies
- Additional ₹18.3 lakh released to BMCs in Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim
Fund Allocation Details
The funds are being routed through State Biodiversity Boards to three specific BMCs:
- Sakharwadi village in Satara district, Maharashtra
- Kunjirwadi village in Pune district, Maharashtra
- Kasganj area in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh
Source of Funding
The money represents Access and Benefit Sharing payments from a company that utilized microorganisms from soil and industrial effluent samples to produce Fructo-oligosaccharides, a commercial product. This distribution follows the legal framework under Section 44 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Utilization of Funds
The BMCs will use the funds for local conservation and development activities that protect biological resources while enhancing livelihoods. This includes:
- Biodiversity documentation
- Protection of traditional knowledge
- Sustainable use of natural resources
Additional Funding for UP and Sikkim
In a separate allocation, the NBA released ₹18.3 lakh to BMCs in Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim. The funds were transferred directly to:
- Narrau village Biodiversity Management Committee in Aligarh District, Uttar Pradesh
- Biodiversity Management Committee in Lampokhari Lake Area, Aritar, Sikkim
These funds represent ABS payments from companies that accessed biological resources – crop materials in Narrau village for producing fermentable compounds, and microorganisms from Lampokhari Lake for research purposes.
Strategic Importance
This initiative supports India’s National Biodiversity Target 13 under the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024-2030, aligning with the global Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP-15.
By channeling these funds, the NBA is empowering local communities to play a vital role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management across different states.
