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NBA Releases ₹8.22 Crore to Rice Research Institutes and States for Benefit Sharing

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR

IRGovernance

Why in news

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹8.22 crore to research institutes and state biodiversity boards, marking one of the largest single benefit-sharing distributions for rice. This payment, received from an international seed company for using Indian rice varieties, underscores India's commitment to fair and equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources.

Background

The NBA, established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, regulates access to India's biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. It implements the Nagoya Protocol's principle of fair and equitable benefit-sharing. This distribution is part of ongoing efforts to share benefits from commercial use of genetic resources with providers and states.

Key facts

in5points

  1. NBA released ₹8.22 crore to three research institutes and 33 state biodiversity boards/UT biodiversity councils.

  2. The amount was received from M/s Pioneer Overseas Corporation, an international seed company, for using Indian rice (Oryza sativa) varieties to develop and commercialize hybrids.

  3. ₹2.47 crore was given to research institutes that conserved and shared rice varieties with the company.

  4. ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, received the largest share of ₹2.43 crore.

  5. Govind Ballabh Pant Agricultural and Technology University, Uttarakhand, received ₹3.26 lakh for a specific rice variety.

  6. ₹5.75 crore was distributed among 33 state biodiversity boards and UT councils based on paddy-producing area.

  7. Uttar Pradesh received the highest state share of over ₹73 lakh.

  8. States with lower paddy area, like Sikkim and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, also received proportional allocations.

  9. NBA has received about ₹83 crore from agriculture and seed sector alone as ABS payments; total ABS distribution exceeds ₹162 crore.

  10. This initiative contributes to Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 13 and SDGs 2, 12, 15, and 17.

Prelims pointers

  • National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) - statutory body under Biological Diversity Act, 2002, under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing.
  • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 13.
  • ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad.
  • Govind Ballabh Pant Agricultural and Technology University, Uttarakhand.
  • SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
  • Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
  • State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and UT Biodiversity Councils.

Mains angles

  • Discuss the significance of Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) in conserving biodiversity and ensuring equitable sharing of benefits.
  • Critically examine the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, in regulating access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
  • Analyze the role of international agreements like the Nagoya Protocol and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in shaping national biodiversity policies.