NBA Sanctions Rs 82 Lakh for Red Sanders Conservation in Andhra Pradesh

¨     NBA Sanctions Rs 82 Lakh for Red Sanders Conservation in Andhra Pradesh.

¨     The Chennai-based National Biodiversity Authority has sanctioned Rs 82 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board for conservation of endemic plant species Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus).

¨     The funding aims to raise one lakh Red Sanders saplings for farmers, supporting the Trees Outside Forests programme.

¨     The funds have been provided from benefit-sharing amounts collected from Red Sanders users.

¨     The initiative demonstrates the application of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended 2023).

¨     ABS ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits with local communities, individuals, and Biodiversity Management Committees.

¨     Red Sanders, native to the Southern Eastern Ghats, is under threat due to high commercial value and smuggling.

¨     The species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed under CITES to regulate international trade.

¨     NBA has previously released over ₹31.55 crore to Andhra Pradesh Forest Department for Red Sanders conservation.

¨     Local and tribal communities will participate in nursery development, plantation, and long-term care, creating employment and skill-building opportunities.

¨     The project strengthens India’s National Biodiversity Targets and reinforces the country’s global commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity.