The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has generated ₹21.26 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism during the financial year 2025–26, reflecting increasing industry participation in India’s biodiversity conservation framework.
The revenue was collected from approvals granted for research, commercial utilization, intellectual property rights, bio-surveys, and the use of biological resources. The seed sector emerged as the largest contributor, accounting for ₹11.75 crore, followed by the AYUSH sector with ₹5.56 crore. Other significant contributions came from the nutraceutical sector (₹1.40 crore) and pharmaceuticals (₹1.18 crore), while biotechnology, cosmetics, chemicals, biofuels, and food and beverage industries also contributed.
Leading contributors from the seed industry included Nunhems India Pvt. Ltd., East West Seeds India Pvt. Ltd., Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Nongwoo Seed India Pvt. Ltd., and BASF India Pvt. Ltd. In the AYUSH sector, major contributors were Himalaya Wellness Company, Organic India Pvt. Ltd., and Natural Remedies.
Industries utilized nearly 300 biological resources during the year, including maize, rice, turmeric, amla, mustard, bitter gourd, kalmegh, cardamom, tulsi, guggal gum, neem leaves, garcinia, ashwagandha, pepper, and clove.
To date, the NBA has collected a total of ₹266 crore through the ABS mechanism from users of biological resources and traditional knowledge. Of this amount, ₹145 crore has already been distributed to beneficiaries across the country.
Established under the Biological Diversity Act, the ABS mechanism ensures that benefits derived from the use of biological resources are shared fairly with local communities, Biodiversity Management Committees, farmers, and traditional knowledge holders. The funds support biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and livelihood enhancement at the grassroots level.
The achievement underscores India’s commitment to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, and Target 13 of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2030. The growing participation of industry demonstrates that economic growth and biodiversity conservation can go hand in hand, paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
