Mon Jul 14 14:21:19 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The Kerala state government will mandate the establishment of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) cells in academic and research institutions to regulate the commercial use of biological resources. These cells will ensure that benefits from research and commercialization are shared with local resource providers, supporting biodiversity conservation efforts. The new regulations, stemming from the Biological Diversity Act, require approval for research, bio-surveys, and commercial use of biological resources, especially in foreign collaborations. Fees for commercial utilization will vary based on the applicant’s annual turnover, with smaller entities exempt.
**News Article:**
**Kerala to Mandate Benefit-Sharing Cells for Biological Resource Use**
**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, July 14, 2025** – In a move aimed at regulating the commercial exploitation of its biological resources, the Kerala state government is set to make it mandatory for academic and research institutions to establish Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) cells. These cells will oversee research activities and ensure that both monetary and non-monetary benefits are shared with the local communities who provide the resources.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB), seeks to implement the Biological Diversity (Access to Biological Resources and Knowledge Associated Therewith and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits) Regulations, 2025. The new regulations will require institutions to seek approval for research, bio-surveys, bio-utilization, or any commercial use of biological resources, including digital sequence information. These regulations will particularly apply to research collaborations with foreign entities, notably those involving the deposition of microbial strains in overseas repositories for international journal publications.
“All institutions engaged in foreign research collaborations involving flora and fauna will now be required to seek prior approval,” stated V. Balakrishnan, member secretary of the KSBB. “Approval will also be mandatory for any commercial use of notified species, even if foreign collaboration is not involved.”
The ABS cells, each headed by a five-member committee of subject experts and coordinated by a nodal officer, will review and screen proposals to ensure compliance with the Biodiversity Act. A state-level committee, chaired by the KSBB chairperson, has already been formed to oversee the examination of applications.
The National Biodiversity Authority has outlined a tiered fee structure for the commercial use of biological resources. Applicants with an annual turnover up to ₹5 crore will be exempt from fees. Larger entities will be required to pay a percentage of their annual gross ex-factory sales price, ranging from 0.2% to 0.6%, based on their turnover. This revenue will then be directed to local bodies to support biodiversity conservation efforts. Key departments, including the Higher Education department, and agencies like the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), have been formally notified about the legal requirement to establish ABS cells. This initiative is expected to foster responsible research practices and equitable sharing of benefits derived from Kerala’s rich biodiversity.
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