SYLLABUS

GS-3: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country.

Context: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹8.22 crore to three research institutions and 33 State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, marking one of the largest single Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) disbursements for rice in India.

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• The amount was received from M/s Pioneer Overseas Corporation for the use of Indian rice (Oryza sativa) varieties to develop and commercialise hybrid seeds. 

• Of the total amount, ₹2.47 crore has been released to research institutions, while ₹5.75 crore has been distributed among State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils based on the rice-growing area of each State and Union Territory. 

• The funds will be utilised for germplasm conservation, maintenance of seed collections, ecosystem restoration, documentation of traditional knowledge, and support to local farmers and knowledge holders. 

About Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

• ABS is a mechanism that ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the commercial utilisation of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. 

• It is implemented in India under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. 

• Any entity accessing India's biological resources for commercial use is required to share monetary or non-monetary benefits with the rightful custodians of those resources. 

• The benefits are shared with: 

• Research institutions that conserved or developed the biological resources. 
• State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. 
• Local communities, farmers, and traditional knowledge holders involved in conserving biodiversity. 

• ABS implements the Nagoya Protocol's principle of fair and equitable benefit-sharing arising from the utilisation of genetic resources. 

About the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

• Established in 2003 under Section 8 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; headquartered in Chennai. 

• Functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). 

• Implements the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to ensure conservation, sustainable use of biological resources, and fair and equitable ABS. 

• Key Functions: Regulates access to India's biological resources and associated traditional knowledge, approves certain biodiversity-related activities, and advises the Central Government on biodiversity conservation and policy. 

• Institutional Structure: Apex body in India's three-tier biodiversity governance system, comprising the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level. 

• International Role: Serves as India's competent authority for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.

Significance of the Initiative

• Strengthens the ABS Framework: Demonstrates effective implementation of India's ABS framework under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits among research institutions, States, farmers, traditional knowledge holders, and industry. 

• Promotes Biodiversity Conservation: Encourages conservation and sustainable use of indigenous rice germplasm, native crop diversity, seed collections, and agricultural genetic resources, while rewarding institutions conserving valuable rice varieties. 

• Supports Conservation Activities: Provides financial support for ecosystem restoration, documentation of traditional knowledge, and biodiversity conservation at the State level. 

• Advances Global Biodiversity Goals: Contributes to Target 13 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework on fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. 

• Supports Sustainable Development Goals: Advances SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).