Score:
5.5/10
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Topper’s Copy
GS2
International Relations
10 marks
“The Nagoya Protocol strengthens biodiversity governance by linking conservation with equitable benefit-sharing.” Discuss India’s implementation of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework in light of its First National Report on the Nagoya Protocol. Highlight key achievements and challenges.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Discuss India's implementation of the ABS framework in light of the First National Report
- Highlight key achievements
- Highlight challenges
What you wrote:
Ans) The Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) establishes the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
India's First National Report highlights significant progress in biodiversity governance through community participation and institutional mechanisms.
Ans) The Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) establishes the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
India's First National Report highlights significant progress in biodiversity governance through community participation and institutional mechanisms.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could add India's unique biodiversity context (e.g., 4 biodiversity hotspots, hosting 91,000+ species) to justify the importance of the ABS framework
What you wrote:
Key Achievements of India's ABS Framework
India has developed a strong institutional network under the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
- Around 12,830 ABS approvals have been granted.
- India issued 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs), nearly 60% of the global total.
- About ₹216 crore has been collected under ABS mechanism.
- Over 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) have been established at local levels.
The Framework has strengthened community participation, documentation of traditional knowledge, and benefit-sharing with local communities using biological resources.
Key Achievements of India's ABS Framework
India has developed a strong institutional network under the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
- Around 12,830 ABS approvals have been granted.
- India issued 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs), nearly 60% of the global total.
- About ₹216 crore has been collected under ABS mechanism.
- Over 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) have been established at local levels.
The Framework has strengthened community participation, documentation of traditional knowledge, and benefit-sharing with local communities using biological resources.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could include successful ABS case studies (e.g., Jeevani drug developed from Arogyapacha herb by Kani tribe with benefit-sharing agreement, or Kalajeera rice benefit-sharing model in Odisha)
- Can highlight NBA's role in granting approvals and maintaining the People's Biodiversity Register (PBR) documenting traditional knowledge
What you wrote:
Challenges in Implementation
Despite progress, several issues persist:
- Difficulty in tracing biological resource supply chains.
- Delays in approvals and documentation processes.
- Low awareness among industries, researchers, and local communities.
- Lack of centralized digital repository and weak coordination across states.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite progress, several issues persist:
- Difficulty in tracing biological resource supply chains.
- Delays in approvals and documentation processes.
- Low awareness among industries, researchers, and local communities.
- Lack of centralized digital repository and weak coordination across states.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could analyze enforcement challenges (e.g., difficulty in monitoring misappropriation of traditional knowledge, limited legal recourse for communities)
- Can mention IPR-ABS conflicts (e.g., tension between patent laws encouraging monopoly vs. ABS promoting equitable sharing, affecting pharmaceutical research)
What you wrote:
Conclusion
India's ABS framework represents a major step towards linking biodiversity conservation with livelihood security and equitable development. Strengthening digital monitoring, awareness and institutional coordination can further improve biodiversity governance while empowering local communities and protecting traditional knowledge.
Conclusion
India's ABS framework represents a major step towards linking biodiversity conservation with livelihood security and equitable development. Strengthening digital monitoring, awareness and institutional coordination can further improve biodiversity governance while empowering local communities and protecting traditional knowledge.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by linking to broader frameworks (e.g., alignment with SDG 15 on Life on Land and Aichi Biodiversity Targets, or India's commitments under Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework)
- Can mention integrating traditional knowledge with modern technology (e.g., blockchain for transparent benefit-sharing tracking)
Strong data-driven answer with impressive statistics demonstrating India's ABS achievements. However, it would benefit from concrete examples of benefit-sharing models and deeper analysis of challenges including biopiracy and IPR conflicts to fully address the governance dimension demanded by the question.
Demand of the Question
- Discuss India's implementation of the ABS framework in light of the First National Report
- Highlight key achievements
- Highlight challenges
What you wrote:
Ans) The Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) establishes the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
India's First National Report highlights significant progress in biodiversity governance through community participation and institutional mechanisms.
Ans) The Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) establishes the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
India's First National Report highlights significant progress in biodiversity governance through community participation and institutional mechanisms.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could add India's unique biodiversity context (e.g., 4 biodiversity hotspots, hosting 91,000+ species) to justify the importance of the ABS framework
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