Why in news?
On 27 February 2026, India submitted its first National Report on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The report covers the period from 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025 and details how the country manages access to genetic resources and shares benefits with local communities.
Background
The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the CBD, adopted in 2010 and effective from 2014. It ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources. Signatory countries must establish legal frameworks to regulate access to biological resources and share benefits with indigenous people and local communities who conserve those resources.
Highlights of India’s report
- Three‑tier governance: India implements Access‑and‑Benefit‑Sharing (ABS) through a three‑tier structure: the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) or Union Territory Biodiversity Councils at the sub‑national level, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level. More than 2.76 lakh BMCs have been established.
- ABS approvals: Between 2017 and 2025, India issued over 12,800 approvals for research, bio‑survey, commercial utilisation and transfer of research results under the Biological Diversity Act. Over 60 % of the internationally recognised certificates of compliance on the global ABS clearing house portal originate from India.
- Benefits shared: The report notes that about ₹216 crore of monetary benefits were mobilised through approvals, with ₹139 crore distributed to BMCs, local communities, farmers and holders of traditional knowledge.
Significance
Submitting the first report demonstrates India’s commitment to global biodiversity governance and transparency. It showcases progress in establishing local institutions and sharing benefits, while also highlighting challenges such as ensuring functional BMCs and equitable distribution. The Nagoya Protocol encourages sustainable use of biological resources and prevents biopiracy.
Source: PIB