India’s Biodiversity Authority Releases Rs 2.82 Crore Under ABS

India has a system for sharing money earned from using its plants, animals, and other biological resources.

This system is called Access and Benefit-Sharing, or ABS.

The National Biodiversity Authority gave about Rs 2.82 crore to biodiversity bodies in states and Union Territories.

The money came from a company that used biological resources connected to vegetable hybrids.

Because the original farmers or communities could not be identified, the money was divided among regions where the crops are grown.

The funds can support biodiversity records, conservation, ecosystem restoration, and local community livelihoods.

A separate payment came from Sumitomo Chemical India for using two microbial strains from a public research institute.

Thirty percent of that payment, or Rs 2.01 lakh, is being given to the institute.