UNEP-GEF and MoEF Project on Strengthening the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act and Rules with focus on its Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)Provisions

The GEF project on ABS is the first ever global project - a programmme to access genetic resources, assess their economic value and share the benefits arising out of them among the local people. This project is implemented in the 5 states of India namely Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim and it is funded by Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and Government of India. The executing organisation includes National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in collaboration with 5 SBBs, UNEP-Division of Environmental Law and Conventions (UNEP/DELC), United Nations University – Institute of Advanced studies (UNU-IAS). The main components of the project include:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Identification of biodiversity with potential for ABS and their valuation in selected ecosystems such as forest, agriculture and wetlands.
            2. Development of tools, methodologies, guidelines, frameworks for implementing ABS provisions of the Biological Diversity Act.
            3. Piloting agreements on ABS
            4. Implementation of policy and regulatory frameworks relating to ABS provisions at national level and thereby contribute to international ABS policy issues.
            5. Capacity building for strengthening implementation of the ABS provisions of the BD Act.
            6. Increase public awareness and education programmes...More