India Biodiversity Authority Disburses Rs 5.68 Crore Under Benefit-Sharing

India has a system for sharing money earned from using the country’s plants and other biological resources.

The National Biodiversity Authority has distributed Rs 5.68 crore through this system.

Much of the money came from companies that accessed okra, cucumber and watermelon resources.

Okra generated the largest share, at Rs 3.51 crore.

The money was sent to biodiversity boards in states and Union Territories.

Gujarat, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh were among the largest recipients.

Because the resources were obtained through markets and traders, they could not be linked to particular farmers or communities.

Instead, the money was shared among states and territories where the crops are grown.

The overall amount distributed under the mechanism has crossed Rs 191 crore.