Implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) from Biological Resources in the State of Gujarat

Abstract

Gujarat is one of India's most bio-diverse states and is very rich in biological diversity with regards to Asiatic lion, indigenous cow breeds (Gir), indigenous Kesar mango, microbes, insects, and bryophytes etc. Access and benefit sharing (ABS) clause through an additional CBD protocol known as the Nagoya Protocol for the Utilisation of Biological Resources and shared between users and providers for the protection of biological resources. In India, in line with this notion, the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Rules, 2004 were enacted by the Parliament of India. For this paper, data related to Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), and the status of applications for access and benefit sharing in states was gathered and analysed for the status of the implementation of access and benefit sharing (ABS) from biological resources in Gujarat. Moreover, the level of awareness among the prominent users (industries) of biological resources related to access and benefit sharing (ABS) was assessed through the generation of a telephonic questionnaire survey of different sets of questions. The research discusses an outlook on access and benefit sharing (ABS) of biological resources in Gujarat State.