Question

Nagoya Protocol, signed by India on 30th October, 2010 is:

• A. An international treaty of bilateral investment between India and Japan
• B. An international treaty to ensure that local produce are exploited only under license and for the common good of the mankind
• C. An international treaty to ensure that the benefits of natural resources and their commercial derivatives are shared with local communities
• D. None of the above

Hint:

Environmental treaties often focus on “Access and Benefit Sharing” — remember Nagoya = biodiversity, genetic resources & local community rights.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Define the protocol
The Nagoya Protocol is a legally binding international agreement adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It was adopted in 2010 and India signed it on 30th October 2010. Step 2: Purpose of the Nagoya Protocol
It focuses on ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. This includes both monetary (e.g., royalties) and non-monetary benefits (e.g., knowledge sharing, technology transfer) to local and indigenous communities who are the custodians of biodiversity. Step 3: Core principle — Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)
Companies that use plant, microbial, or animal resources from a region must obtain prior informed consent and agree to share any commercial benefits with the local communities. Step 4: Eliminate wrong options
(a) Talks about bilateral investment — unrelated to biodiversity.
(b) Partially correct but doesn’t emphasize benefit sharing — incomplete.
(d) “None of the above” is wrong as (c) is completely accurate. \[ \boxed{(c)} \]