Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Q6. Explain the concept of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) under India’s biodiversity governance framework. Discuss its role in promoting equitable utilisation of biological resources. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question
The growing emphasis on bioeconomy, biodiversity governance and community rights over biological resources, highlighted by cases such as the ABS payout to Dapur village (2025), makes Access and Benefit Sharing an important contemporary issue in environmental governance.
Key Demand of the question
The question requires explaining the concept and legal framework of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) under India’s biodiversity governance system. It also demands discussing how ABS contributes to equitable utilisation of biological resources and community benefit sharing.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly introduce India as a megadiverse country and mention that the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 institutionalised ABS to ensure fair sharing of benefits from biological resources.
Body
- Concept of ABS: Explain the legal and institutional framework of ABS under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and National Biodiversity Authority, including its link with the Nagoya Protocol.
- Role in equitable utilisation: Show how ABS promotes fair benefit sharing, community participation and incentives for biodiversity conservation.
Conclusion
Highlight that strengthening local biodiversity institutions and benefit-sharing mechanisms can align conservation, biotechnology innovation and community welfare.
