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

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), headquartered in Chennai, has sanctioned ₹82 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board for the conservation of the endemic plant species Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus). The initiative aims to raise one lakh saplings of Red Sanders, which will be supplied to farmers under the Trees Outside Forests (ToF) programme, marking a significant step towards conserving a species unique to the region.

The funding provided from the benefit-sharing amount collected from users of Red Sanders and is being channelled back to stakeholders for conservation-related activities. This sanction demonstrates the application of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended in 2023), which regulates access to biological resources while ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits with local communities, individuals and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).

Red Sanders, native to the Southern Eastern Ghats and found in the districts of Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool, has faced severe threats due to its high commercial value and rampant smuggling. The species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and is listed under CITES, which strictly regulates its international trade.

The release is expected to flow directly into grassroots-level conservation involving BMCs. Local and tribal communities will take part in nursery development, plantation, and long-term care, creating employment, promoting skill-building, and enhancing local stewardship in conservation.

NBA has earlier released over ₹31.55 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department for Red Sanders conservation and protection. The present initiative further strengthens India’s National Biodiversity Targets and reinforces the country’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the global stage.