New Delhi, July 23 -- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released Rs 6.67 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism for biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilisation of biological resources and livelihood enhancement in 11 cotton-growing States.

The amount was allocated from Rs 7.62 crore realised from Bayer Science & Innovation Pvt. Ltd. (formerly Monsanto Holdings Pvt. Ltd.) for research involving 25,431 varieties of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

The funds have been distributed among Maharashtra (Rs 2.41 crore), Gujarat (Rs 1.38 crore), Telangana (Rs 1.06 crore), Karnataka (Rs 0.40 crore), Rajasthan (Rs 0.36 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 0.31 crore), Andhra Pradesh (Rs 0.23 crore), Haryana (Rs 0.23 crore),...