The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹15.52 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) funds generated from the commercial use of India's biological resources in developing mustard varieties.

The amount has been released following the use of Indian biological resources by M/s Pioneer Overseas Corporation, which developed 10 commercial hybrid varieties of mustard (Brassica juncea).

The funds will be distributed among 26 State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and three Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs). The share for each state and Union Territory will be calculated based on the area under mustard cultivation.

Mustard Genetic Resources Used

According to the NBA, Pioneer Overseas Corporation developed the 10 commercial hybrid varieties itself. However, the parental genetic material used for developing these varieties was sourced from open markets and traders.

Since a specific farmer or community could not be identified as the source of the biological resources, the NBA constituted an expert committee to recommend a mechanism for distributing the ABS funds.

The recommendations of the committee were subsequently approved by the authority.

States to Receive Proportionate Share

Under the approved mechanism, when biological resources are obtained through intermediaries such as traders, the ABS amount is distributed among the State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils where the resource is cultivated.

The NBA obtained mustard cultivation-area data from ICAR-Indian Institute of Mustard Research (ICAR-IIMR), Bharatpur, Rajasthan, and used it to calculate the state-wise distribution.

Rajasthan accounts for around 42 per cent of India's mustard cultivation area, making it the largest beneficiary of the latest ABS release. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh follow.

The distribution includes a wide range of states and Union Territories because mustard cultivation is spread across different parts of the country.

Rajasthan Gets ₹6.43 Crore

Rajasthan will receive the largest share, amounting to ₹6.43 crore, followed by Uttar Pradesh with ₹2.28 crore and Madhya Pradesh with ₹1.86 crore.

The top beneficiaries are:

Funds to Support Biodiversity Conservation

The State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils are required to use the ABS funds in accordance with Section 32 of the Biological Diversity Act.

The funds can be used for activities including biodiversity conservation, documentation and updating of People's Biodiversity Registers, and in-situ and ex-situ conservation of biological resources.

Other permitted activities include restoration of degraded ecosystems, strengthening biodiversity heritage sites, capacity building of Biodiversity Management Committees and improving community livelihoods.

₹182.5 Crore Released So Far

The latest release is part of the NBA's broader implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which seeks to ensure that communities and regions conserving India's biological diversity receive a fair share of the benefits generated from its commercial use.

The framework is aligned with the principles of equitable benefit sharing under the Nagoya Protocol and Target 13 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

With the latest release, the NBA has so far disbursed a total of ₹182.5 crore through ABS mechanisms. Of this, ₹116.22 crore has been released to beneficiaries across the country during the past 12 months.

Role of National Biodiversity Authority

The National Biodiversity Authority is a statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The authority regulates access to India's biological resources and associated traditional knowledge and works to implement equitable benefit sharing in accordance with the principles of the Nagoya Protocol.

The latest mustard-related disbursement is intended to ensure that commercial benefits generated from India's genetic resources are channelled back towards conservation and communities and regions that help maintain the country's biodiversity.

The Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change Department has invited suggestions from the public for selecting the state butterfly of Chhattisgarh. Citizens can participate in the selection process through a Google Form, with submissions open until August 31, 2026.

The department shared the notice on its official website, encouraging members of the public to contribute their suggestions as part of the process to identify a butterfly species that can represent the state's rich biodiversity.

Public Participation Invited

According to the department's notice, interested citizens can submit their suggestions through the designated Google Form. The deadline for participation has been fixed for August 31, 2026.

The initiative gives residents an opportunity to take part in a biodiversity-related state-level exercise and share their views on which butterfly species should receive official recognition.

Focus on Chhattisgarh's Biodiversity

Butterflies are considered important indicators of the health of ecosystems because their presence is closely linked to vegetation, habitat conditions and seasonal changes.

Chhattisgarh has extensive forest cover and a diverse range of habitats, including areas associated with wildlife reserves and other forest ecosystems. These environments support a variety of insects, birds, mammals and plant species.

The selection of a state butterfly could help draw greater public attention to the importance of conserving butterfly habitats and the broader ecosystems in which they live.

Forest Department Leads Initiative

The initiative has been announced by the Forest and Climate Change Department, Government of Chhattisgarh. The department is responsible for forest management, wildlife conservation and related environmental activities across the state.

The department's official website also provides information on wildlife, forest administration, biodiversity-related initiatives, notifications, reports and other public services.

The latest notice was listed among the department's news updates and carries a posting date of July 24, 2026.

Why a State Butterfly Matters

Several Indian states have designated state butterflies as symbols of their natural heritage. Such recognition can help promote awareness about local species and encourage interest in conservation.

A state butterfly can also become an educational symbol, particularly for students and young people learning about biodiversity, insects and local ecosystems.

The selection process in Chhattisgarh provides an opportunity to connect public participation with conservation awareness.

Citizens Can Submit Suggestions

People interested in participating are required to use the Google Form specified by the Forest Department. The department has set August 31, 2026, as the final date for submitting suggestions.

Citizens who wish to participate are advised to check the official Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change Department website for the designated form and any instructions associated with the selection process.

The initiative is expected to encourage greater public engagement with Chhattisgarh's natural heritage while highlighting the ecological importance of butterflies and their habitats.

Observed every year on July 29, International Tiger Day highlights the global fight to protect one of the world’s most endangered big cats

International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day, is observed every year on July 29 to raise awareness about tiger conservation and encourage efforts to protect the species from extinction. The day was established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, where tiger-range countries committed to doubling the global wild tiger population through coordinated conservation measures.

The annual observance focuses on protecting tiger habitats, strengthening anti-poaching initiatives and promoting sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Why International Tiger Day is observed

International Tiger Day was launched in response to the alarming decline in global tiger numbers caused by habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, poaching and human-wildlife conflict.

The campaign aims to:

• Raise awareness about the importance of tiger conservation.

• Protect and restore critical wildlife habitats.

• Strengthen anti-poaching enforcement.

• Promote conservation policies involving governments and local communities.

• Encourage sustainable development that safeguards biodiversity.

Conservationists believe protecting tigers also helps preserve forests, rivers and ecosystems that support countless other species.

India remains home to the world's largest tiger population

India is regarded as the global stronghold of wild tigers, hosting the largest tiger population in the world across dozens of protected reserves.

The country has significantly expanded its tiger conservation efforts through Project Tiger, enhanced habitat management, scientific monitoring, stricter anti-poaching measures and increased community participation.

Madhya Pradesh leads as India's 'Tiger State'

For Madhya Pradesh, often referred to as the "Tiger State of India," International Tiger Day carries special significance.

The state is home to renowned tiger reserves including Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura, Panna, Sanjay-Dubri, Veerangana Durgavati, Madhav and Ratapani, making it one of India's most important tiger conservation landscapes.

On the occasion, wildlife authorities, forest departments, schools and conservation organisations organise awareness campaigns, educational programmes, nature walks and public outreach activities to promote wildlife protection.

In Bhopal and nearby protected areas, special events are expected to highlight the importance of conserving forests and protecting tiger habitats for future generations.

Conservation beyond a single species

Wildlife experts describe tigers as an umbrella species, meaning that conserving tiger habitats also protects numerous other animals, birds, plants and water resources.

Healthy tiger populations are considered indicators of healthy forests, making tiger conservation crucial for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity.

Global call for collective action

International Tiger Day serves as a reminder that governments, conservation organisations, local communities and citizens all have a role in ensuring the survival of wild tigers.

As the world marks the occasion today, conservationists continue to emphasise that sustained habitat protection, stronger law enforcement and public awareness remain essential to securing a future for the species.

Two South African cheetah brothers, Prabhas and Pavak, have emerged as a remarkable success story in India's ongoing cheetah reintroduction programme. Relocated from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in April 2025, the eight-year-old siblings have impressed wildlife experts with their coordinated hunting techniques, strong social bond, and ability to adapt to a new environment.

When the cheetahs were shifted to Gandhi Sagar, conservationists viewed their survival in the new landscape as a significant challenge. However, over the past year, the pair has not only survived but established a strong presence in the sanctuary, offering valuable insights into cheetah behavior and adaptation in Indian conditions.

According to forest officials, the brothers have displayed a level of cooperation rarely documented in such detail, making them an important subject of study for future wildlife conservation strategies.

A Unique Hunting Strategy

One of the most striking observations has been the brothers' coordinated hunting method, described by wildlife officials as a "split attack pattern."

During hunts involving prey such as chinkara, deer, or nilgai, one cheetah pursues the animal over a long distance, gradually exhausting it. Meanwhile, the second cheetah positions itself strategically along the anticipated escape route and launches a surprise attack.

Officials say this technique leaves prey with little opportunity to evade capture and has become one of the pair's greatest strengths in the wild.

Gandhi Sagar provides a strong prey base, including healthy populations of chital and nilgai, which has contributed to the cheetahs' successful adaptation.

Constant Protection and Teamwork

Experts have also documented what they describe as a "shadow protection system." When one cheetah feeds on a kill, the other remains alert nearby, monitoring the surroundings for potential threats.

On several occasions, the brothers have been observed sitting back-to-back, allowing them to maintain a watchful eye in all directions. Wildlife specialists consider this behavior an advanced survival strategy that enhances security in natural habitats.

Although Gandhi Sagar is home to leopards, the cheetahs were initially released into a large predator-proof enclosure designed to protect them from encounters with larger carnivores during the acclimatization phase.

Strong Social Bond

Another fascinating aspect of their behavior is what experts call "trust bonding behavior." The brothers are frequently seen grooming each other and remaining close together during periods of rest.

Officials have noted characteristics commonly associated with successful male cheetah coalitions, including cooperative hunting, mutual protection, staying together over long distances, and communicating through vocal calls when separated.

This strong social bond has played a key role in their survival and territorial establishment within the sanctuary.

Valuable Insights for Conservation

According to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sameeta Rajoura, observations from Prabhas and Pavak are helping researchers better understand how cheetahs adapt to Indian ecosystems.

The brothers were relocated along with a nine-year-old female cheetah named Dheera. Since arriving in Gandhi Sagar, Prabhas and Pavak have reportedly made more than 100 successful kills and covered approximately 1,460 kilometers while exploring and establishing their territory.

Wildlife authorities believe the data collected from their movements and behavior will become an important component of India's future cheetah conservation and management strategies.

A Milestone for India's Cheetah Project

The success of Prabhas and Pavak is being viewed as a positive development for India's ambitious cheetah restoration programme. Their ability to thrive in a new environment demonstrates the potential for carefully managed reintroduction efforts and provides valuable lessons for future translocations.

As researchers continue to monitor the pair, their story is offering a rare glimpse into the adaptability, intelligence, and social dynamics of one of the world's fastest predators, while strengthening hopes for the long-term success of cheetah conservation in India.