Andhra Pradesh Red Sanders Farmers Get ₹45 Lakh Boost from National Biodiversity Authority
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New Delhi, India - In a significant move to promote sustainable practices and support farmers, the National Biodiversity Authority has released ₹45 lakh to red sanders farmers in Andhra Pradesh. This recent disbursement brings the total cumulative Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) releases in India to ₹143.5 crore. The red sanders tree, found primarily in the Eastern Ghats, is an Indian endemic species highly valued globally. The ABS framework allows farmers to earn dual income benefits - from the lawful sale of red sanders wood or logs and through monetary benefits under the ABS mechanism. Since its inception, the National Biodiversity Authority has released over ₹104 crore to Andhra Pradesh and ₹15 crore to other states for red sanders conservation and benefits. In the past three months alone, the authority has distributed ₹5.35 crore to over 220 farmers from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The ABS framework promotes fair and equitable sharing of benefits, discourages illegal trade, and encourages sustainable practices. By linking conservation efforts with tangible economic returns, the framework transforms red sanders into a livelihood-supporting asset for farming communities. Through the ABS, the National Biodiversity Authority contributes to conservation, scientific research, and socioeconomic development of farmers and communities, solidifying India's position in global biodiversity efforts.
