Biodiversity Pays Back: India’s ABS Framework Delivers Rs 145 Crore to Beneficiaries

India’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework under the Biological Diversity Act has emerged as a significant mechanism for ensuring that local communities receive tangible benefits from the commercial use of biological resources. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the framework has delivered more than ₹145 crore in benefits to stakeholders across the country, reaching over 10,500 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) spread across 23 States and 4 Union Territories.

The ABS mechanism is designed to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. Through this framework, industries and commercial entities that use biological resources contribute a portion of their revenues, which is then distributed among local communities responsible for conserving and sustainably managing these resources. The initiative recognizes the critical role played by indigenous people, local communities, and grassroots institutions in preserving India’s rich biodiversity.

The benefits generated under the ABS framework have been channelled through Biodiversity Management Committees, enabling communities to undertake conservation activities, strengthen local biodiversity governance, and improve livelihoods. The widespread reach of the programme demonstrates the growing effectiveness of India’s biodiversity governance system and highlights the country’s commitment to aligning economic development with environmental sustainability.

The success of the ABS framework reflects India’s efforts to implement the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity and ensure that the economic value generated from biological resources is shared with those who have traditionally protected and nurtured them. By linking biodiversity conservation with economic incentives, the framework is helping create a model where environmental stewardship directly benefits local communities while supporting sustainable development goals.