Major Policy Drive by NBA to Streamline ABS Fund Utilisation

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), in its 77th meeting held in Chennai on March 23, 2026, approved key measures to strengthen the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act 2002. 

The NBA introduced:

• Streamlined procedures for utilisation of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) funds
• Revised guidelines for designated repositories
• A structured framework for equitable fund distribution

Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) – Legal Basis

• Under Section 27 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002, ABS funds must be shared with identified beneficiaries
• If beneficiaries are not identifiable, funds are to be used for socio-economic development of the resource-origin areas

New ABS Fund Utilisation Framework

To ensure effective use of funds (especially when beneficiaries are unidentified), the NBA, with an Expert Committee, developed detailed modalities covering access through traders, markets, repositories, and institutions. 

Revised Sharing Formula

• When source is identifiable: 25–40% to institutions/repositories (for conservation, documentation, value addition), 60–75% to local communities via State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and UT Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs)
• When source is not identifiable: 30% to institutions, and 70% to NBA, to be channelled through SBBs/UTBCs.

Utilisation of Funds: Funds routed through SBBs and UTBCs will be used for:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Sustainable use and management
  (as per Section 32 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002)

Global Context of ABS: 

• The ABS mechanism is rooted in international frameworks such as: Convention on Biological Diversity and Nagoya Protocol. These frameworks ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources, based on prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms.
• ABS is a key pillar of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 13, which focuses on equitable benefit-sharing.

Source: PIB