The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released Rs 6.2 crore to beneficiaries on Thursday to support the conservation of the endangered Red Sanders and strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and forest-dependent communities in five states.
Released under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the ABS funds continue to play a pivotal role in protecting this endemic and globally valued species. The funds will be utilised for frontline protection, enhanced patrolling and monitoring infrastructure, research-driven silvicultural practices, expansion of community-based livelihood programmes, and improving the socio-economic resilience of red sanders growers.
Advertisement
The latest disbursement supports the sustained conservation and responsible utilisation of red sanders. Of the newly released Rs 6.2 crore for farmers — Rs 17.8 lakh will go to Telangana and Rs 1.1 crore to Andhra Pradesh. The Forest Departments of Tamil Nadu will receive Rs 2.98 crore, Karnataka Rs 1.05 crore, Maharashtra Rs 69.2 lakh, and Telangana Rs 5.8 lakh. In addition, Rs16.0 lakh is shared amongst the respective state biodiversity boards.
Advertisement
The latest tranche brings the total ABS funds disbursed exclusively for red sanders conservation to over Rs 101 crore since the ABS mechanism was operationalised for the species.
To date, 216 individual farmers, encompassing 198 in Andhra Pradesh and 18 in Tamil Nadu, have benefited under the Red Sanders ABS mechanism, in addition to the Forest Departments and State Biodiversity Boards of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
With this release, the NBA’s total ABS disbursements have crossed Rs 127 crore, reinforcing India’s global leadership in implementing fair and equitable benefit-sharing linked to biological resources.
Advertisement