National Biodiversity Authority, India is currently implementing the first National Project on Access and Benefit Sharing under the UNEP – GEF – MoEF Project on “Strengthening the Implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Rules, 2004, with focus on its Access and Benefit Sharing Provisions”.

This project is being implemented in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim by NBA in collaboration with the 5 State Biodiversity Boards, UNEP-Division of Environmental Law and Conventions (DELC), United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

• To Develop Standardized economic valuation Methods for valuing biodiversity in the selected ecosystem
• Developing database on biological resources to tap ABS potential in Project States
• Assessing and quantifying the economic value of biological diversity present at local, state and national levels using appropriate methodologies
• Determining benefit sharing and informing national decision makers on prioritizing conservation action
• Developing legal tools, methodologies, guidelines and frameworks for ABS mechanism
• Capacity Building for stakeholders in decision-making process
• Piloting ABS agreements in Project States
• Promotion and strengthening of biodiversity funds at national, state and local levels
• Strategizing public awareness programs and facilitating level playing for public, NGOs, private sector etc., on ABS