Govt Allocates ₹1.36 Crore for Biodiversity Conservation in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh

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In a significant step towards strengthening biodiversity conservation at the grassroots, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹1.36 crore to support community-led initiatives in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The funds aim to empower local communities to preserve biological diversity while ensuring they receive fair benefits from the commercial use of natural resources.

The financial assistance will be routed through the State Biodiversity Boards of both states to three Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)  located in Sakharwadi (Satara district), Kunjirwadi (Pune district), and Kasganj (Etah district). Each committee will receive ₹45.5 lakh to implement conservation projects as per the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and respective state biodiversity rules.

This release represents Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) payments made by a commercial firm that utilized microorganisms extracted from soil and industrial effluent for producing Fructo-oligosaccharides, compounds commonly used in food and pharmaceutical applications. The initiative stands as a practical example of how local communities can gain direct economic returns from the sustainable and legal use of biological resources.

The government’s move underscores its commitment to link conservation with livelihood enhancement. By channeling benefits back to local custodians of biodiversity, India aims to strengthen community participation in natural resource management and promote inclusive growth.

This initiative aligns with India’s National Biodiversity Target-13 under the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024–2030, consistent with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CoP-15).

Tags

Biodiversity Conservation Biological Resources Maharashtra NBA Sustainable Development Uttar Pradesh